Acronyms and otherwise

The abbreviation “CBC” is not an acronym. Really.

Acronyms and initialisms are abbreviations made from the initial letters of words in a name. An acronym spells a pronounceable word (“UNICEF”); an initialism does not (“CBC”).

Some pronounceable abbreviations never become acronyms: “B.A.,” for example. And some initialisms acquire unofficial but popular pronunciations, such as “Icky-bicky” for ICBC (Insurance Corporation of B.C.). Are there any rules or conventions for abbreviations that stubbornly stay in the corral when the gate is open, or those that slip out through a loose board when no one's looking? All input welcome!

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Not commonly

I like distinctions like acronym vs.initialism, but a quick look around the Web confirms that in modern use, acronym means an abbreviation made from initial letters of a name, whether or not the letters form a word.

Distinctions like acronym vs.initialism only survive when they contribute something useful—when they clarify or prevent confusion. When two words mean the same thing, except for a distinction that is unimportant or even artificial, the word that is shorter or easier to say eventually takes over.

Bruce more than 9 years ago

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