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[Minotauro]

There seems to be some confusion about this. Here's a definition from whatis.com:

An acronym (pronounced AK-ruh-nihm, from Greek acro- in the sense of extreme or tip and onyma or name) is an abbreviation of several words in such a way that the abbreviation itself forms a word. According to Webster's, the word doesn't have to already exist; it can be a new word. Webster's cites "snafu" and "radar", two terms of World War Two vintage, as examples. Implicit is the idea that the new word has to be pronounceable and ideally easy to remember.

Frequently, acronyms are formed that use existing words (and sometimes the acronym is invented first and the phrase name represented is designed to fit the acronym). Here are some examples of acronyms that use existing words: BASIC....Beginner's All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code NOW......National Organization for Women WHO......World Health Organization

Abbreviations that use the first letter of each word in a phrase are sometimes referred to as initialisms. Initialisms can be but are not always acronyms. AT&T, BT, CBS, CNN, IBM, and NBC are initialisms that are not acronyms. Many acronym lists you'll see are really lists of acronyms and initialisms or just lists of abbreviations. (Note that abbreviations include shortened words like "esp" for "especially" as well as shortened phrases.)

Summing up:

* An abbreviation is a shortening of a word or a phrase.
* An acronym is an abbreviation that forms a word.
* An initialism is an abbreviation that uses the first letter of each word in the phrase (thus, some but not all initialisms are acronyms).

So, IBL, IAWTP, TTIWWP, and the like ARE NOT ACRONYMS.

I'm sorry and I'm sure a bunch of people are going to jump all over me about being an English Nazi but it's just something that irritates me. And, yes, I have entirely too much time on my hands...during work hours at least.

 

[Escape Goat]

blah blah blah blah

 

[Naked Snake]

OMG you said the forbidden word, BANNED!

 

[Lucky Forward]

Now if we could just get people straight on the difference between infer and imply.

 

[Minotauro]

OMG you said the forbidden word, BANNED!

Uh oh...

Oh, well, I'll take my chances if it means I can convince just one person.

 

[Vennt]

Now if we could just get people straight on the difference between infer and imply.

I'd settle for the less subtle addicted & addicting...(Pet hate.)

 

[Matlock]

* An acronym is an abbreviation that forms a word.

Just a sidenote about this--

Th' evil, evil F-Word has entered the lexicon both orally and textually among GAF. Invention and acceptance of a word, even in a small circle, makes it a word.

 

[MrPing1000]

OMG you said the forbidden word, BANNED!

Arthur: Cut down a tree with a herring? It can't be done!
Knights of Ni: AAugh! AAAAAH! Oww!!
Knight of Ni: Don't say that word!
Arthur: What word?
Knight of Ni: I cannot tell; suffice to say, it is one of the words the Knights of Ni cannot hear!
Arthur: How we *not* say the word if you don't tell us what it is?!
Knight of Ni: Ahhhh! 'E said it again!
Arthur:What, "is"?
Knight of Ni: No, not "is"! You wouldn't get very far in life not saying "is"!

 

[way more]

An acronym is an abbreviation that forms a word.

This means that FBI and CIA aren't acronyms, they're just pricks.

 

[Justin Bailey]

Next up, people with strong feelings about toast.

 

[fallout]

Next up, people with strong feelings about toast.

IT'S TOO FUCKING CRUNCHY!

::calms down::

Anyway, so they're not acronyms ... what is the actual term for them?

 

[enjoy bell woods]

YEAH I LEARNED IN LINGUISTICS ACRONYMS ARE THINGS LIKE LASER AND SCUBA.

 

[Lucky Forward]

This means that FBI and CIA aren't acronyms, they're just pricks.

+1 George Carlin reference.

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

Next up, people with strong feelings about toast.

Toast rocks. It's like bread, but not so weak and limp. Also toast is warm.

 

[hXc_thugg]

Toast rocks. It's like bread, but not so weak and limp. Also toast is warm.

It's like a bread erection.

 

[fallout]

Toast rocks. It's like bread, but not so weak and limp. Also toast is warm.

Fuck you toast fanboy.

 

[Minotauro]

Anyway, so they're not acronyms ... what is the actual term for them?

Either abbreviations or initialisms (AS IT SAYS IN MY ORIGINAL POST).


And, fuck all you thread hijackers! If you want to debate the merits of toast and other grain products, start your own thread! This one is devoted to my bitching about miniscule errors in word usage.

 

[Felidae_Khrall]

Either abbreviations or initialisms (AS IT SAYS IN MY ORIGINAL POST).


And, fuck all you thread hijackers! If you want to debate the merits of toast and other grain products, start your own thread! This one is devoted to my bitching about miniscule errors in word usage.

What, you don't like it when people, go against the GRAIN??? ahahh.. hahah.. ha... hmm...

 

[Lucky Forward]

:lol

 

[fallout]

Either abbreviations or initialisms (AS IT SAYS IN MY ORIGINAL POST).


And, fuck all you thread hijackers! If you want to debate the merits of toast and other grain products, start your own thread! This one is devoted to my bitching about miniscule errors in word usage.

Heh, my bad.

Normally, I would care more ... but you know, gotta burn the toast fanboys whenever I can.

... get it? Bur-- oh forget it.

 

[Minotauro]

Hm, well, this thread certainly didn't go smooth as butter...d'oh!

Please, kill me.

 

[xsarien]

I'd settle for the less subtle addicted & addicting...(Pet hate.)

Give me just one day where people correctly use the word "monopoly," and I'll be happy. I'd be giddy as a God damned school girl if people stopped using "a la" and "arena" so damned much. It's bad enough that I have to put up with that shit when I read the occasional review on Gamespot.

 

[Firest0rm]

What is the definition of definiton?

 

[xsarien]

What is the definition of definiton?

There's no such word. However, definition is defined as:

1. A statement conveying fundamental character.

2. A statement of the meaning of a word, phrase, or term, as in a dictionary entry.

3. The act or process of stating a precise meaning or significance; formulation of a meaning.

4. The act of making clear and distinct: a definition of one's intentions.

5. The state of being closely outlined or determined: “With the drizzle, the trees in the little clearing had lost definition” (Anthony Hyde).

6. A determination of outline, extent, or limits: the definition of a President's authority.

7. The clarity of detail in an optically produced image, such as a photograph, effected by a combination of resolution and contrast.

8. The degree of clarity with which a televised image or broadcast signal is received.

 

[Eminem]

wtf