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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.



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