Click here

backronym

A type of acronym that is made by deciding on the letters to create a word, and then creating a name or title to fit the acronym. Similar to acronyms, a backronym can be pronounced as a word (those which are pronounced as separate letters and not a word are called abbreviations). In computers, Internet and technology there are a number of famous backronyms:

 

  • The Apple Lisa was named after Steve Jobs' daughter but was later said to be an acronym for "Local Integrated Software Architecture."
  • The BASIC programming language is also believed to be a backronym. The language was called BASIC, and then the acronym of "Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code" was created.

See also acronym.



Top Terms

Connect with Webopedia

  • What is 250 GB Data Usage?

    What is 250 GB (250 gigabytes) and why is this phrase so popular? Webopedia explains what the phrase 250 GB means in reference to data storage...

    Read More »

Did You Know? Archive »

  • Quick Reference Archive »