Abbreviations and Acronyms

NASA. SCUBA. CIA. FBI. LMAO.

These are acronyms, right?

Not exactly, and that’s what I want to nerd out about with you today.

These words all belong to a bigger category called abbreviations. All of these are shorter versions of the words you would need to say. Imagine having a robust debate with someone else about the policies of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, but being unable to use the word "NASA” instead of saying that mouthful every time, and you can get a sense of how useful abbreviations are.

I was under the impression that the difference between an abbreviation and an acronym is that the acronym stands for something else, while an abbreviation simply shortens a word. I though about stuff like those crossword puzzle clues that ask for a state’s name, but it’s shortened to fit into a four letter slot. Imagine Mont, Cali, or Wisc.

It’s definitely true that these are abbreviations, and I had this idea right for most of my life. Acronyms, on the other hand, have…