They are commonly called acronyms, but there’s a more specific term that’s used by linguists and people who like being precise about these things: initialism. Acronyms like 'scuba' ("self-contained underwater breathing apparatus") are pronounceable as words. Initialisms like 'FBI' are not.
Full Answer
What are some common words that are really acronyms?
- BID: Break it down
- COB: Close of business
- EOD: End of day
- EOM: End of message
- EOT: End of thread
- EOW: End of week
- ETA: Estimated time of arrival
- FTE: Full-time employee
- FWIW: For what it’s worth
- IAM: In a meeting
What are some of the worst acronyms?
worst
- Most inferior, as in quality, condition, or effect: the worst hitter on the team.
- Most severe or unfavorable: the worst winter in years.
- Being furthest from an ideal or a standard; least desirable or satisfactory: This is the worst cafeteria!
What are three popular acronyms?
three-letter acronym: TMA: take my advice: TMI: to much information: TMS: to much showing: TNSTAAFL: there’s no such thing as a free lunch: TNX: thanks: TOH: to other half: TOY: thinking of you: TPTB: the powers that be: TSDMC: tears streaming down my cheeks: TT2T: to tired to talk: TTFN: ta ta for now: TTT: thought that, too: TTUL: talk to you later: TTYIAM: talk to you in a minute: TTYL
What do all the acronyms stand for?
This page is about the various possible meanings of the acronym, abbreviation, shorthand or slang term: ALL. Medical » Oncology -- and more... Regional » Currencies -- and more...
Can you put an acronym in an acronym?
Introduce every acronym before using it in the text. The first time you use the term, put the acronym in parentheses after the full term. Thereafter, you can stick to using the acronym....Introducing acronyms.CategoryAcronymsTimeBC/AD, BCE/CE, time zonesLatin abbreviationse.g., i.e., et al.3 more rows•Aug 1, 2015
Are acronyms grammatically correct?
Abbreviations and acronyms are used to save space and to avoid distracting the reader. Acronyms that abbreviate three or more words are usually written without periods (exception is U.S.S.R.). Abbreviations should only be used if the organization or term appears two or more times in the text.
How do you abbreviate acronyms?
Abbreviations and acronyms are both shortened forms of words or phrases....Examples of Abbreviations vs. Acronyms.AbbreviationsAcronymsInitialismsCapt. (Captain)radar (radio detection and ranging)ATM (automated teller machine)9 more rows
Is FBI an acronym or abbreviation?
initialismFBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) is an initialism.
Is KFC an acronym?
KFCKFC / Short nameKFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) is an American fast food restaurant chain headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, that specializes in fried chicken.
Is OMG an acronym?
OMG is an abbreviation of the expression oh my God (or oh my goodness or oh my gosh) and in the domain of text and instant messaging, social media etc, has become a popular mechanism for expressing surprise or astonishment, e.g. She's going out with Darren, OMG!
Do you add an S to acronyms?
The general rule Form the plural of an acronym or other abbreviation simply by adding an s at the end. An apostrophe before the s that forms the plural is not incorrect but generally omitted in formal writing.
Is CPR an acronym?
CPRCardiopulmonary resuscitation / Short name
Is NASA an acronym or initialism?
Acronymsacronymfull formNASANational Aeronautics and Space AdministrationUNESCOUnited Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organizationradarradio detection and rangingscubaself-contained underwater breathing apparatus1 more row
Is NASA an acronym?
NASANASA / Short name
Is LOL an acronym or initialism?
Coleman (2012) notes 'LOL', which is an initialism created from the phrase 'laughing out loud', as being a good example of a slang initialism. It can either be an abbreviation or an acronym, depending on whether you choose to spell the word out or pronouncing it like words typically are pronounced (Coleman, 2012: 39).
Are all acronyms initialisms?
Acronyms are always initialisms and abbreviations, but not all initialisms are acronyms. Only initialisms that can be pronounced as a word (as opposed to pronouncing each letter in the initialism) count as acronyms.
Is NASA an acronym or initialism?
Acronymsacronymfull formNASANational Aeronautics and Space AdministrationUNESCOUnited Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organizationradarradio detection and rangingscubaself-contained underwater breathing apparatus1 more row
Is NASA an acronym?
NASANASA / Short name
What is acronym in English grammar?
Acronyms are words which are formed from the first letters of other words, and which are pronounced as full words. Examples of acronyms: NATO /ˈneɪtəʊ/ North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
Is LOL an acronym or initialism?
Coleman (2012) notes 'LOL', which is an initialism created from the phrase 'laughing out loud', as being a good example of a slang initialism. It can either be an abbreviation or an acronym, depending on whether you choose to spell the word out or pronouncing it like words typically are pronounced (Coleman, 2012: 39).
What are words made of?
Words are made up of letters, but a group of letters doesn’t necessarily become a word. Think of FBI or HMO or TSA or TGIF —perfectly common expressions that we encounter every day, but no one would call them words. They are commonly called acronyms, but there’s a more specific term that’s used by linguists and people who like being precise about ...
When did initialism start?
In German, the term Akronym had been used since the 1920s. Initialism is the older term, dating to the mid-1800s.
What is Q and A format?
Q&A format is commonly used in website FAQs. “Question and answer” sessions, between a speaker or panel and an audience remains a popular way to exchange information and opinions. One of the most commonly used abbreviations in our acronyms list. abbreviation. initialism.
Why do we use acronyms?
Acronyms are common ly used to create memorable names for brands, organizations and groups of people who regularly use the same phrases – like the military. Acronyms are only useful when everyone understands (or doesn’t need to understand) what they stand for otherwise it’s jargon. ADDucation’s acronyms list A-Z includes acronyms which have become ...
What is the B ritish cademy?
The B ritish A cademy of F ilm and T elevision A rts is an arts charity. It holds separate annual awards ceremonies, called “the BAFTAs” for film and TV to reward best works, of any nationality, in the previous year. abbreviation, acronym. initialism. used as a word.
Where does the name Adidas come from?
From Latin ante meridiem – “before midday”. Originated from the name of the Adidas sportswear founder Adi Das sler, the younger brother of Rudolf Dassler who founded the Puma sportswear brand. Adidas is pronounced AH-dee-duss.
What is a backronym?
From Wikipedia: A backronym or bacronym is a specially constructed phrase that is supposed to be the source of a word that is, or is claimed to be, an acronym. Backronyms may be invented with serious or humorous intent, or may be a type of false or folk etymology.
What is the backronym for the Patriot Act?
Backronyms are sometimes created to name laws or programs. The official title of the USA PATRIOT Act, a 2001 Act of the U.S. Congress, is "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act of 2001".
Can you use Mindmaps as an acronym?
You can use Mindmaps, or use just the acronym generator, each way has it's strengths.
When was the term "bacronym" first used?
Its earliest known citation in print is as "bacronym" in the November 1983 edition of the Washington Post monthly neologism contest. The newspaper quoted winning reader Meredith G. Williams of Potomac, Maryland, defining it as the "same as an acronym, except that the words were chosen to fit the letters".
What is an acronym in writing?
An acronym is a word formed from the initial letters of each word of a compound term. The word is pronounced as spelt and no full stops are used. Writing Tip: Try not to use unfamiliar acronyms in your introductory paragraph. This side-tracks readers from your story.
Do acronyms need a full stop?
Contemporary acronyms do not need full stops. Examples: NATO, Scuba. The contemporary rule is to write out the full name when first mentioned (with the acronym in brackets). Use only the acronym after this. Example: ‘The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) will decide on the issue. NATO leadership is made up of…’.
When Do Acronym Brand Names Work?
Working with an acronym brand name is challenging. Most of them don’t have much meaning. More importantly, they are not memorable. Despite all that, there is no shortage of companies wanting a brand name like IBM or GE.
Initialism
With initialism, we pronounce a string of letters (BBC, USA.) You should use your initials, only if people know the full name of your organization.
Acronym
When you form a meaningful (or at least phonetically sound) name from your initials, you create an acronym. For instance, MADD is the abbreviation of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. Honestly, can an acronym get any better than that?
Coined abbreviation
Finally, suppose the above two tactics don’t work. In that case, you can try to invent a name containing a mixture of initial and non-initial letters.
