RARA-AVIS: Re: RARA-AVIS Digest V2 #330

Lawrence R. (goldensam@sprintmail.com)
Tue, 16 Jun 1998 19:41:35 -0400 Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 07:42:09 -0400 (EDT)
From: michael david sharp <msharp@umich.edu>
Subject: Re: RARA-AVIS: How about:

This inquiry began w/ the assertion that "acronym" is not the right
word.
Your definition is correct, but ACLU and MLA are not "words," that is,
you
don't say them phonetically, which seems to be the criterion of an
acronym
(M.A.D.D., U.N.C.L.E., NATO, NAMBLA, Nabisco [from National Biscuit
Company], etc.). Unless you call the ACLU "ack-loo."

If you can get a civil libertarian to answer to 'ack-loo' than you can
probably call a Republican a 'gop' and a member of the AKC an 'oxsee'.

But like some said, back to detectives. Perhaps an off-list contest for
the best and most unpronounceable acronym, the prize being a mouthful of
pebbles to practice with.

--
Dick

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