At 06:30 AM 1/16/2001 +0100, Chris Barker wrote:
[snip]
>Sorry Garth but ADITL is an abbreviation or a set of initials.
>
>An acronym is a complete name that has been composed from an abbreviation or
>set of initials, such as Radar or Laser. The British organisation ASH (Action
>against Smoking for Health) is an abbreviation but is enough like a proper
>word to be considered an acronym.
Chris:
My Shorter Oxford claims it can be either, since both meanings are in popular
use. It also claims that the second meaning (a set of initials) is "looser"
than the first, but still quite acceptable. I Defer To The Great OED. ;-)
Garth
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