- This words comes about from the combination of the words back and acronym. Acronym comprises the majority of the word’s definition, as the basis of the term is in the use of an acronym. In fact, an acronym wholly describes any word that is described by backronym. Obviously, the word back does not wholly comprise the definition of backronym. Back exists to give acronym a temporal context, explaining that the development of the word came about before the set of words that it stands for, rather than the other way around. The presence of the word backronym would seemingly imply the necessity of having a word such as forwardcronym, which would provide the specification that the phrase came about before the acronym for it. However, as the use of acronym so often already implies this temporal context, the term forwardcronym would be unnecessary.
Backronym
blending Blending of two words with the longer one being clipped; verb
To come up with a name or title, and then to develop an acronym to fit said name or title, thus justifying the choice of moniker.
Etymology : Backronym was formed by blending back and acronym
Source : “I really like the name RINO for our new product, let’s backronym what the letters will mean.” (Senior Design Group meeting; 10/2011).
Last modified: 5 December 2011