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What are acronyms?

Acronyms are abbreviations made up of the first letters of several words. They form an abbreviation. They are either spelled out (PKW, EDV) or spoken like complete words (GEMA) – with the exception of a few mixed forms 1.

Acronym: Examples

  • AIDS ➜a acquired immunodeficiency syndrome _ _ _
  • ESA European Space Agency _ _
  • ISBN ➜I nternational S tandard Book N umber
  • Laser ➜L ight A mplification by S timulated E mission of R adiation
  • NATO ➜N orth A tlantic T reaty O rganisation
  • Radar ➜R a dio D etection a nd R anging
  • UFO Unidentified flying object _ _
  • UNO ➜U nited N ations O rganisation

Special forms of acronyms

Apronymous

A special form of acronyms is, for example, the apronym. This is a term that already exists in the vocabulary. An example: The abbreviation "Daisy" describes the "Dynamic Information System".

backronym

Another variation of acronyms is the backronym. In this case, the order of creation changes. So the abbreviation was there first. The individual terms were then assigned to the letters. This is also the case with the “SOS” example. Later this abbreviation was given the meaning “Save our Souls”.

Recursive Acronym

The recursive acronym refers to itself in terms of content. In this case, your own abbreviation is part of the spelled out word. You can see this best with an example: The terms “Visa International Service Association” are hidden behind the abbreviation “VISA”.

syllable abbreviation

The syllable abbreviation is also a special form of acronyms. The abbreviation does not consist of the first letters. The short syllable word is formed by the initial syllables of the individual terms. Examples that you know for sure are the abbreviation “Kita” for day care center or “Kripo” for criminal police.

Uses of acronyms

They simplify names of certain organizations or companies and abbreviate long terms and words. This not only facilitates communication, but also understanding.

When character-restricted text messaging (SMS) existed, many new acronyms emerged. Mainly influenced by Anglo-Saxon vocabulary. These acronyms are now used in everyday language:

  • ASAP ➜ As soon as possible
  • BD ➜ See you then
  • BRB ➜ be right back
  • BTW ➜ by the way
  • CU ➜ See You
  • GJ ➜ Good Job
  • HAND ➜ Have a nice day
  • SIG ➜ Signature

Why these neologisms?

On the one hand: they are more pleasant and quicker to read than their namesakes. They shorten excessive terms and shorten long expressions as simply as possible. This saves time when writing and reading and improves the flow of reading. Because that's the only way our eyes don't bump over the General German Automobile Club again and again , but take in ADAC at a glance and we're glad that there isn't a long-winded and difficult term here, but one that is an acronym that makes it easy to understand.

This works if the reader is familiar with the acronyms used. In other words: if writer and reader have the same background, i.e. act "on an equal footing". Only then does the short form gain in speed compared to the actual designation.

The History of Acronyms

Acronyms existed in many languages ​​before Christ. They were also used in the Roman Empire. The name of the Roman Empire, “Senatus Populusque Romanus”, received the abbreviation “SPQR”. Finds from this period, such as coins, stones and old works of art were characterized by acronyms. The short words are also known from old Jewish and Greek writings.

The acronyms only appeared in the English language in the mid-20th century. They played an important role, especially for the economy. Today, acronyms are very present, especially in colloquial speech.

Does it have to be clear which term is hidden behind an acronym?

Example WLAN: Who can think of the long form ( Wireless Local Area Network) ? Do we always have the translation from English ready? Not necessarily! And yet we can definitely relate to this acronym. We understand what it means to us. From our own, everyday experience: Where WLAN is promised, we know that we can expect wireless Internet access. But there are also abbreviations where it is not immediately clear what they mean. Because they come from areas that not everyone has insight into, for example. It becomes problematic when non-specialists

suddenly confronted with it. For example when buying a car: APS? WFS? If one helps with a sensor against parking bumps (automatic parking system), everyone else apart from the owner should ideally not be able to do anything with the car (immobilizer). Except for the specialist, to whom is that immediately clear?

Explain if anything is unclear

  • Put the spelled out meaning once in parentheses. Especially if it is not used colloquially.
  • Or you explain in a subordinate clause: "Of course, this car is equipped with APS: the sensors on the bumpers warn you acoustically if you get too close to walls, bushes or people when parking."

Remember, acronyms make sense when they're common and well-known. And you can be sure that the reader will understand them.

Do not exaggerate!

Acronyms are useful when they match the vocabulary of your target audience. They limit an otherwise excessive string of (technically) complicated terms to a minimum. However, they should never disturb the reading flow - if acronyms occur in an unnatural number in the text.

For comparison: It is considered linguistically acceptable and understandable if there is no more than one acronym per paragraph of text . It is important to orientate oneself to language standards that aim for a broadly understandable maximum. Like in the news, for example: Here the speaker reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) and would rarely name one or the other term alone.

The spelling of acronyms

They often have four syllables and are usually capitalized. How so? There is no clear rule for this, instead all sorts of assumptions. For example one of these: To separate the abbreviation from other short syllable words that are not an acronym.

This applies to NATO or general terms and conditions, but motor vehicles unfortunately already nullify this assumption. Or another: If an acronym can be counted as part of the fixed language usage, it is written in lower case rather than in upper case. However, the Duden only knows the postal code for the postal code. In addition, there are definitely writing alternatives. For example, the Duden for NATO also allows the spelling Nato. The following applies: stick to the usual spellings and make recommendations .

Better not...

... inventing acronyms themselves , in order to then use them to advertise in a striking manner. The risk of confusion is too great - and a new word is sometimes difficult to explain. Can the reader follow the thought? If it leads to the meaningless statement: hands off! If so, then you should use existing acronyms that are well-established in speaking and reading culture. Exception for internal use: sometimes a project can be made more tangible more quickly with an acronym. But only if it's catchy and short enough. However, you should protect yourself from giving each new project an acronym companion. Because the appropriate and clear renaming is not that easy. And takes time.

7 Letters

INTOSAI

EURIBOR

MANCOVA

CARACOL

CAMHADD

MESSAGE

CNS-ATM

ICH-GCP

CRICKET

CONNECT

CONCEPT

SUPPORT

ANFAVEA

TRIBECA

WPA-PSK

SIMPLEX

PACIFIC

NITINOL

NSTISSI

USACERL

GATEWAY

CONTACT

VNO-NCW

ENVISAT

SIPRNET

TRAFFIC

AMATEUR

FDG-PET

AIDESEP

PERFORM

CAPTCHA

XMITTER

COMMENT

MIPONUH

GLONASS

ALLEGRO

HICOMRY

IBRACON

BILLION

FESEBES

BENZENE

BONJOUR

LIEBEST

GLUCOSE

BAUJAHR

DISABLE

C6H12O6

SUBJECT

TORONTO

EXAMPLE

SPG(FP)

EDICISA

COMECON

CIRELFA

SAFNETU

UDENAMO

FRELIMO

ASD(PA)

CDF&TDS

GD&RVVF

ASD(RA)

BANGKOK

ASA(CW)

ROSETTA

VINCENT

ASARECA

BMEDSCI

RECYCLE

ARC-USA

IKIWISI

MISTERS

ECHELON

GCHEESE

NABISCO

NORWICH

HYUNDAI

ECOLOGY

COPILOT

DIAPHOX

SDN BHD

OICURMT

KHDUDCM

PRINTER

KIPPERS

BUFFALO

TADIL-B

LOLINAD

TONNAGE

NAVAREA

AAAAAAA

GADEROS

PROBLEM

AWSELVA

SASBLIA

LOMBARD

FOGUAVI

RCPSYCH

RAGBRAI

AB-WRSA

TADIL-A

TAADS-R

USAINTA

TELEMED

TAADCOM

TARPMMS

TRANSEC

APROCAR

TISAMIS

TERPROM

TAPDB-R

TACTERM

TIMEREQ

TC-AIMS

TACWARS

TAPDB-A

TRASANA

TECHCON

TACCDAS

TRAC2ES

TADIL-J

TMACS-B

TRI-TAC

EUROTOX

SACLANT

SAFE-CP

SIMWOUT

SDDCTEA

SOMARDS

SOCOORD

SIGACTS

SECARMY

REQCONF

RATSCAT

USJFCOM

REPUNIT

RAMADCS

RESPROD

REPSHIP

RESCORT

WARMAPS

SPOEALD

RECBASS

WESTCOM

BAPPEDA

VERTREP

STARTEX

PHOTINT

USMOG-W

PERSCOM

JONSWAP

UNITREP

USREPMC

USAOTEA

VSHORAD

WWABNCP

PHIBRON

VICTORS

USACEBD

PACWRAC

SUAWACS

PENAIDS

USAAVNC

PERSACS

USACCSA

USARIEM

STU-III

PERSLOG

VEMASID

WMD-CST

UNMOVCC

USAFSOS

USAITAC

USAARMS

QUADCON

USMILGP

USAISMA

STAMMIS

USASAFS

USACFSC

WESTPAC

PVNTMED

USACGSC

USCGNET

PROVORG

FLORIDA

MEDICAL

USPACOM

SUMMITS

STRICOM

SPOTREP

WHNSIMS

PDD-NOS

SUIDIRF

BENZALK

RHQDAPU

UMR-IWW

USAMRMC

TEMPEST

WYSIWYG

USAISEC

MULTICS

XA-SMDS

UNICODE

TELECOM

TD-CDMA

SYNTRAN

SWF-DS1

SWANSAT

SAR-PDU

RPE-LTP

OUTWATS

RESULTS

NCCMERP

NANBPWC

MCA-USA

LLUAHSC

ISS-USA

FUPAVEN

ECTRIMS

COMPOST

COMPACT

NO MAAM

ANTIOPE

ABS-CBN

JICNARS

CRYSTAL

VO-TECH

VICTORY

THUNDER

SOLINET

PROSPER

PRESENT

OPTIONS

NASDTEC

NASDPTS

AAHPERD

EMERALD

CPSGPHB

COPICAT

SAFETEA

REV RUL

REALITY

PHOSITA

GADPTRA

KPCOFGS

LAAEFTR

DVD-ROM

DVD-RAM

CTREPTR

STRETCH

SICOVAM

WEBPANY

RAINBOW

MISSION

CONASEV

BAPEPAM

AVIANCA

ACCPADD

5XBCOER

NSTISSP

NSTISSC

NSTISSD

NCPDCID

NCHHSTP

NCCDPHP

N-SSATS

ITES-2S

E-STARS

CONRAIL

CHAMPVA

ANBACIS

WHISPER

SYSTRAN

SUPSALV

SUPARCO

SR-CCSD

SOLSPEC

SHOTGUN

PERTSIM

NASTRAN

FORTRAN

ESTRACK

DEVELOP

COMSTAC

COMPOOL

COLBERT

CHROMEX

MERALCO

HIATECH

APCPDCL

CAFCASS

MATESOL

BVetMed

BENEFIT

DESMOND

OUSD(P)

OPERREQ

NLOS-CA

NIPRNET

NAVSTAR

NAVPERS

MULTEWS

MINEOPS

MILTECH

MILSPEC

MILDEPT

MIL-STD

MIDAESS

METT-TC

MCCISWG

MAWTS-1

MARCENT

MACVSOG

MACATAK

LOGSAFE

LOGPLAN

LOFAADS

LERTCON

LEC2BOS

JUH-MTF

JTSSCCB

JIATF-S

INFOCON

IMAPMIS

HQCOMDT

HELTADS

HELRATS

HAWTADS

HAWFCAR

H-HMMWV

GPS-ADD

GLOTRAC

GEOFILE

GCCS-I3

FUJIGMO

FSCOORD

FRENSIT

FRAGORD

FORSTAT

FFH-NET

FED-STD

FBOIPFD

FASTALS

FAFDOPS

FACSFAC

FAADC2I

FAADC3I

EXECCTL

DYNATIC

DOLFINS

DII-COE

DFAS-DE

DEPMEDS

DEPCJTF

DEMSTAT

DEFSMAC

DASPS-E

DASD(I)

DASC(A)

DAMMS-R

DAMO-RQ

DACONTP

CSNP(I)

CSERIAC

CRSTIAC

COP-CSE

CONPLAN

COMRELS

COMPO-9

COMPO-7

COMPO-8

COMPO-4

COMPO-3

COMPO-1

COMPO-2

COMPLIP

COMPLAN

COMJCSE

COMALOC

COLTSIM

CNAVRES

CMTC-IC

CINCUNC

CINCPAC

CINCFOR

CICOMIS

CHSTREP

CHEMCAS

CHEMSIM

CHALS-X

CERTSUB

CENTCOM

CEPSARC

CDRMTMC

CCPO-CC

CATRADA

CASEVAC

CAMSPAC

C4ISTAR

C-JWICS

C-LEVEL

BOTEFRC

BOGSABS

BELDWSS

AUTODIN

AUTOCOM

ASA(FM)

ARTBASS

ARPRINT

ARNORTH

ANGLICO

AMP-MOD

ALLOREQ

ALARACT

AIRTEMS

AIRMICS

AIRCENT

AGTELIS

AFSPACE

AFSOUTH

AFNSEPA

AFJROTC

ADVANCE

ADEXJAM

ADCSOPS

ADCSLOG

ADAVAIL

AADSACS

INSIGHT

FRF-LMI

FR-SSCS

BORSCHT

AFRINIC

FORATOM

NAPBIRT

KRS-ONE

SAVRALA

BOCCTHY

CARIFTA

ELECTRA

FRCPATH

COMSATS

ADEMARG

NYSSCPA

NAAACPA

EBITDAR

AAA-CPA

STELLAR

PREDICT

NREMT-B

NBCCEDP

UNMOVIC

UNMOGIP

UNMISET

UNFICYP

PUMPKIN

MINURSO

MICIVIH

AFNORTH

SEAWIFS

SEAFLOE

DITSCAP

DES-CBC

INFOSYS

ESPIRIT

BENELUX

SWALIMO

SOFTCOM

INFOCOM

AEDENAT

GERMANY

USAG-MI

OBAFGKM

ROFLCGU

UTEPYMI

AGSOGUA

UMEGREM

STAYSEG

ANACAFE

EMPAGUA

APROFAM

COSUDER

FEDEFUT

JONSDAP

CEDECON

ASCATED

CERIGUA

TSTSTSA

UNASGUA

AGUDESA

MINUGUA

ASAZGUA

SGUMDER

HAZCHEM

SIGTRAN

CIEEDAC

ICP-OES

ARDIGUA

JAMSTEC

CUNOROC