Hi Wayne,
The term you're asking about should be highlighted in blue so that you can click on it for a page of acronym descriptions.
Also, you should be provided with a shipping number that you can click on that will launch the website to the delivery company handling your order (Ie: FedEx, UPS, etc). You will be able to track it online from there.
I don't know how long orders to the UK take, so I can't help you there. I do know that custom orders take a lot longer. Apple products also come from all over the world (Ex: PowerBooks come from Japan, G5s from California, some accessories from Texas, etc). Clearing customs takes a while too, so account for that (my PowerBook took 3 days to clear Canadian customs alone).
If in doubt about what's going on, call the Apple Store or the delivery company (if you know who is handling it and have a delivery number) to find out what the hold up is. If you don't have a delivery number, Apple will tell you what it is when you call.
Hope that helps you out a bit. Have fun with your new Mac when it finally gets to you!
Cheers,
~Sheri