Acronyms (Real)

Some Words About Acronyms, And Their Usage

Author: Rickard Andersson
Date: 1995/10/27
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An acronym is an abbreviation which sounds like it could be a word on its own. And an abbreviation is a short way of saying something longer with a smaller set of characters than was necessary without the abbreviation.

Here is an example of an acronym, FUBAR = Fucked up beyond all recognition. You say FUBAR as a word on its own.

Here is an example of an abbreviation, TLA = Three letter acronym. You don't say TLA as a word, instead you say the three letters one at the time.

For a list of abbreviations (where some are acronyms) check out my article titled Abbreviations, List Of.

See also

• AAAA
• CASIP And AAAAAAA
• Abbreviations, List Of
• Abbreviations