TL; DR Acronyms and abbreviations

We've all seen those texting memes about parents who misuse popular messaging abbreviations to the chagrin and chuckles of their children. Kudos to those parents for trying to keep up with the times, but if they've a smart phone from which to text, they also have Google, just an app away to do a quick check of the real meanings of these abbreviated forms of communication.

The thing is, it's not just misguided parents who misuse acronyms and abbreviations. First, what's the difference? The Oxford English dictionary differentiates acronyms from abbreviations as pronounceable words formed with the initial letters of a group of words. Abbreviations then, are shortened words that represent a longer name or group of words, but which might not be pronounceable as a word. So, I suppose that means that all acronyms are abbreviations but not all abbreviations are acronyms.

We all speak too fast sometimes and mess up our abbreviation usage or add a redundant word after an abbreviation. But when putting your words into writing, please make sure you understand the meaning of any abbreviation you use (if you're not 100% sure, a quick Google can only help).

TYFR!

(Thank You For Reading!)