Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Initialisms
Welcome to one of the most annoying lexicological family trees in the English language. In this particular tree, abbreviations are the lazy, negligent parents who bought the exact same clothes and toys for their kids because it was easier than letting them create personalities.
Acronyms and initialisms, meanwhile, are the identical twins who took very different paths in life. One was valedictorian and went on to become a doctor while the other got super obsessed with the Grateful Dead, started wearing tie-dye, and runs a tarot reading business out of their van.
So, while they might be related, they’re not all the same.
What’s an abbreviation?
Abbreviations are shortened or condensed versions of words when you just can’t be bothered to utter another goddamned syllable. They pop up everywhere – from common words and titles to road designations and cooking measurements. However, abbreviations shouldn’t be confused with shorthand writing or whatever the hell it is people R doing while texting. Thx 4 reading!
Abbreviation examples:
Apt. or appt. – (appointment).
Ave. (avenue), Blvd. (boulevard), Rd. (road), and St. (street)
Dr. (doctor).
Mr. (Mister), Mrs. (Mistress), and Ms. (Miss).
Tbsp. (tablespoon) and Tsp. (teaspoon)
Vs. (versus).
Latin Abbreviations
Latin abbreviations are abbreviations derived from Latin terms. They should never be capitalized and they should always include periods after each letter—except for “etc.” which gets three letters and only one period at the end for some reason.
e.g. = “exempli gratia”
This translates to “for example” and is used when you’re forced to provide specific examples of something that you feel the reader isn’t mentally equipped to understand on its own.
Example:
The English language is filled with confusing and frustrating elements (e.g. Latin Abbreviations, participles, and semicolons.)
Pro-tip: Not sure when to use “e.g.?” Just use a mnemonic device/mental shortcut and remember that “e.g.” and “example” both start with the letter “e.”
i.e. = “id est”
This translates to “that is” and should be used when a sentence or statement requires additional information to clarify it or to make sure your reader is following along. Who’s a good reader? You are. Yes, you are!
Example:
It would be easy to burn this place down because you only need three things to start a fire (i.e. heat, oxygen, and fuel.)
Pro-tip: Instead of trying to remember the Latin phrase “id est,” pretend that “i.e.” stands for “in essence,” which is another way to say “that is.”
etc. = “et cetera”
This translates to “and so forth,” which is used when you want to indicate that a list or series continues beyond what you’ve written but isn’t worth wasting the time, energy, or keystrokes to complete.
Example:
2020 was the worst year in recent memory because of COVID, Donald Trump, the crushing misery of self-awareness, etc.
Pro-tip: It’s pronounced “ET-set-er-uh,” NOT “EK-set-er-uh.” If you pronounce it with an “EK” at the front, the ghost of William Faulkner will emerge from a nearby hipster’s leather satchel and dropkick you.
What’s an acronym?
Acronyms are shortened (abbreviated) versions of words, names, phrases, or organizations that use the first letter of each individual word in the name or phrase to create the acronym. Acronyms are the quintessential lazy, modern English creation. Too fucking busy to say three words that already exist and are widely understood? Just abduct some letters from those words to create a new one and then spend all that time you didn’t have earlier explaining what the new word stands for.
You’ll know it’s an acronym if it’s pronounced as a full word when said out loud.
Examples of acronyms:
NASA – Pronounced “NA-suh” and stands for “National Aeronautics and Space Administration”
AWOL – Pronounced “AY-wahl” and meaning “Away Without Official Leave” or “Away Without Leave” (military terminology)
RADAR – Pronounced “RAY-dahr” and meaning “Radio Detection and Ranging”
FUBAR – Pronounced “FOO-bahr” and meaning “Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition”
Honorable mention acronym:
LOL – When pronounced* “Lawl,” this is an acronym for “Laughing Out Loud”
*Never say “LOL” out loud. It is meant as a lazy text response to something that you don’t actually find funny.
What’s an initialism?
Initialisms are shortened (abbreviated) versions of words, names, phrases, or organizations that use the first letter of each individual word in the name or phrase to create the initialism. Wait. Isn’t that the same definition as an acronym? Sure as shit is, Sherlock. Just don’t look at it that way around initialisms. They’re sensitive little shits about acronyms getting all the publicity, so don’t poke the bear unless you’re with a slower, clumsier friend who the bear can eat first.
You’ll know it’s an initialism if it’s pronounced by reading each individual letter one by one.
Examples of initialisms:
FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation
a.m. and p.m. – ante meridiem and post meridiem, meaning “before midday” and “after midday”
STD – Sexually Transmitted Disease
TMI – Too Much Information
Honorable mention initialism:
LOL – When pronouncing* each letter one by one, this is an initialism for “Laughing Out Loud”
*If you ever read the letters “L-O-L” out loud, I hope you get an STD.
Punctuation and initialisms:
Whether or not to use periods in an initialism is a stylistic choice. Sometimes, it’s up to the writer, the publication, and/or the official style guide used by journalists and brands. Sometimes, it’s dictated by some dusty old tradition. Other times, it’s just about making the sentence easier for the struggle-bus riders to read.
Examples:
To avoid confusion, you should always write the initialisms for ante meridiem and post meridiem in lowercase with periods between the letters: “a.m.” / “p.m.”
It’s perfectly acceptable to eat KFC whenever you damn well please because the colonel’s original recipe beats whatever you found on some mommy blog.
So, yes. Technically acronyms and initialisms are abbreviations, but that’s a little reductive and they have enough of a complex as it is. They don’t need to live in their absentee parents’ shadow any longer. Do them and yourself a favor by using the correct term. Thx!