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DPChallenge Forums >> Current Challenge >> Acronyms v. Abbreviations v Initials
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 02/24/2007 11:00:15 AM · #1
I just deleted my entry in the acronyms challenge because I think I was misled by the description that was provided by DPC, which called "DPC" an acronym. DPC isn't a "word" created from initials, like RAM or NATO or AIDS. DPC is just plain initials. So now what? Should everyone who follwed the example given by DPC's description (and used initials or abbreviations) be disqualified? Should we give submissions that follow DPC's example low votes? That hardly seems fair but would be technically correct. Hmmmmmm.
 02/24/2007 11:09:31 AM · #2
greg

Message edited by author 2007-03-04 07:13:51.
 02/24/2007 11:09:39 AM · #3
Originally posted by Scholten:
I just deleted my entry in the acronyms challenge because I think I was misled by the description that was provided by DPC, which called "DPC" an acronym. DPC isn't a "word" created from initials, like RAM or NATO or AIDS. DPC is just plain initials. So now what? Should everyone who follwed the example given by DPC's description (and used initials or abbreviations) be disqualified? Should we give submissions that follow DPC's example low votes? That hardly seems fair but would be technically correct. Hmmmmmm.

Hm? DPC is certainly an acronym. It doesn't have to be pronounceable to be one. :) It's simply the first letters of all the words in the phrase or name. There's nothing wrong or misleading about their example.
 02/24/2007 11:15:04 AM · #4
an acronym IS an abbreviation... it's a special kind of abbreviation. to create an acronym you use the first letter of each word. vs a regular abbreviation like: etcetera ( etc. ).

Message edited by author 2007-02-24 11:16:55.
 02/24/2007 11:16:47 AM · #5
You might want to check out this site.

//acronyms.thefreedictionary.com

And Randy, I'd consider reinstating your entry!!

02/24/2007 11:17:47 AM · #6
Being a 'wordy', I had to look this up. This is what I found in Wikipedia:

Acronyms and initialisms are abbreviations, such as NATO, laser, and IBM, that are formed using the initial letters of words or word parts in a phrase or name. Acronyms and initialisms are usually pronounced in a way that is distinct from that of the full forms for which they stand: as the names of the individual letters (as in IBM), as a word (as in NATO), or as a combination (as in IUPAC).

That given, an acronym would not have to form a word in itself. However, there seems to be a debate on that, which you can read about here: Acronym

Personally, I feel an acronym is a series of first initials derived from words describing something - such as DPC - regardless if it forms a word of its own or not.
 02/24/2007 11:30:52 AM · #7
Certainly in terms of English english, an acronym is as the original poster described. Interestingly, the letters of the acronym do not need to be solely derived from the initial letter of the words from which the acronym is taken, for example quango (QUAsi Non-Governmental Organisation). The defining feature of an acronym, as opposed to straight initialisation is that the resulting 'word' is pronouncable, rendering it easily memorable.
That said, I shall be scoring every photo I see on its merits, perhaps with some extra points for particular creative takes on the subject, or for those photos that make some sort of connection with me.
 02/24/2007 11:31:27 AM · #8
Since the challenge description combined acronyms (RAM) with initialism (DPC), I'll view the entries as equal under the description.

Message edited by author 2007-02-24 12:13:06.
 02/24/2007 11:43:04 AM · #9
Redjulep... you seem to be using the two words with only a single meaning. Initials and acronyms are two different things. DPC is intials.

In Freedictionary and Wikipedia, they are lumping two or three words together (e.g. to allow them to be looked up with one search)

If initials become a word, THEN initials are an acronym. Otherwise they are only initials/initialism or abbreviations.

Encarta Definition: word formed from initials: a word formed from the initials or other parts of several words, e.g. "NATO," from the initial letters of "North Atlantic Treaty Organization"

Cambridge: an abbreviation consisting of the first letters of each word in the name of something, pronounced as a word.

American heritage: A word formed from the initial letters of a name, such as WAC for Women's Army Corps, or by combining initial letters or parts of a series of words, such as radar for radio detecting and ranging.

Thanks to all for your thoughts. I suspect there will be lots of abbreviations and initials photos in this challenge, aye?

02/24/2007 11:49:41 AM · #10
Louis - If an acronym is a word, shouldn't it be pronounceable? It seems that an acronym is not simply saying the letters... such as I-B-M or D-P-C. An acronym is when the letters are pronounced as a word, like RAM and NATO and NASA and WAC.

Thanks!
 02/24/2007 11:55:53 AM · #11
Good idea SaraR. I guess there isn't any real choice at this point, but pity the poor souls who limited themselves to the correct definition! What an unfair disadvantage... but life isn't fair, aye?

Dang semantics!
 02/24/2007 11:58:52 AM · #12
never mind....

Message edited by author 2007-02-24 12:04:05.
 02/24/2007 12:03:51 PM · #13
Originally posted by Scholten:
Louis - If an acronym is a word, shouldn't it be pronounceable? It seems that an acronym is not simply saying the letters... such as I-B-M or D-P-C. An acronym is when the letters are pronounced as a word, like RAM and NATO and NASA and WAC.

From my understanding, an acronym is simply an abbreviation that comes into common use, and thus becomes a "word", pronounceable or no. I think this is a lot of needless hand-wringing over how people will interpret this challenge by the way. :) By way of example, consider the recent "Life" challenge: "Create an image that celebrates life." The blue ribbon deservedly went to a beautiful image that celebrates the sky:

It's the image that counts. There are plenty of examples of worthy winners that don't necessarily adhere strictly to the letter of the challenge description.
 02/24/2007 12:12:04 PM · #14
Thanks Louis... that helps this newbie understand. As do many of the other posts. The tempest in the teapot has been calmed. Cheers.
 02/24/2007 12:28:53 PM · #15
Well the thing that comes to mind is that CIA is CERTAINLY an acronym and you don't pronouce it SEEAH.

... from the Merriam Webster Dictionary ...

acronym
One entry found for acronym.

Main Entry: ac·ro·nym
Pronunciation: 'a-kr&-"nim
Function: noun
Etymology: acr- + -onym
: a word (as NATO, radar, or laser) formed from the initial letter or letters of each of the successive parts or major parts of a compound term; also : an abbreviation (as FBI) formed from initial letters: synonym for INITIALISM
- ac·ro·nym·ic /"a-kr&-'ni-mik/ adjective
- ac·ro·nym·i·cal·ly /-mi-k(&-)lE/ adverb

In answer to some private messages and emails ...

If FBI is acceptible as an acronym then surely, so is CIA and DPC.

More ...

From Wiktionary:

Etymology
From Greek acro-, sharp or high, + nym, name

[ edit ] Pronunciation
IPA: /ˈæk.ɹə.nɪm/
Audio (UK)help, file

[ edit ] Noun
Singular
acronym
Plural
acronyms


acronym (plural acronyms)

An abbreviation formed by (usually initial) letters taken from a word or series of words, and which is itself pronounced as a word.
Any abbreviation so formed, regardless of pronunciation.

[ edit ] Examples
RAM, random-access memory, pronounced /ˈɹæm/
radar, radio detection and ranging, pronounced /ˈreɪdɑː(r)/
scuba, self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, pronounced /ˈskuːbə/
TNT, trinitrotoluene, pronounced /ˈtiːˌɛnˌtiː/
IBM, International Business Machines, pronounced /ˈaɪˌbiːˌɛm/
XML, Extensible markup language, pronounced /ˈɛkˌsɛmˌɛl/



Message edited by author 2007-02-24 12:58:33.
 02/24/2007 12:56:33 PM · #16
Omfg, stfu.
 02/24/2007 01:02:22 PM · #17
Originally posted by routerguy666:
Omfg, stfu.


I think it is great that you dropped in on this thread soley to give us this intelligent addition and contribution to the debate (and examples of acronyms).

Have a nice day.

And for those stuck for an idea ... This Acronym Dictionary (list) contributed by Judi. Thanks Judi.

//www.acronymdictionary.co.uk/acronymae.html#A

Message edited by author 2007-02-24 13:05:11.
 02/24/2007 01:06:38 PM · #18
lol
 02/24/2007 03:02:17 PM · #19
People must lay awake late at night thinking about or worrying about reasons for DNMC.

Why am I not surprised by this discussion?
 02/24/2007 03:11:21 PM · #20
IMO, initals commonly used in place of the full name in normal conversation, like IBM, FBI and CIA are acronyms, OK? LOL
 02/24/2007 03:18:25 PM · #21
is OK an acronym, or an alternative spelling resulting in an abbreviated version of the word?


02/24/2007 03:21:20 PM · #22
Originally posted by soup:
is OK an acronym, or an alternative spelling resulting in an abbreviated version of the word?

Okay.
 02/24/2007 03:27:38 PM · #23
i was more joking around, but.. i see now that that word actually got longer as time passed instead of shorter - so i would call it an anti-abbreviation ;}
 02/24/2007 04:03:53 PM · #24
Let's not fight the problem, O.K?
 02/24/2007 04:20:43 PM · #25
The comment I'm waiting for is "DNMC. I don't know that acronym, so you must have made it up."

Along the lines of someone who complained that I didn't include the entire tree in my Trees entry.
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