Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!mcvax!ukc!stc!pete From: pete@stc.co.uk Newsgroups: net.nlang Subject: When does an Acronym become a Word? Message-ID: <837@bute.tcom.stc.co.uk> Date: Thu, 20-Feb-86 05:45:17 EST Article-I.D.: bute.837 Posted: Thu Feb 20 05:45:17 1986 Date-Received: Wed, 26-Feb-86 07:25:05 EST Organization: STC Telecoms, London N11 1HB. Lines: 23 In the aftermath of the Challenger accident, I noticed that many reports spelt National Aeronautics and Space Administration as Nasa, rather than NASA. This started me thinking about how long a probation an acronym has to serve before it becomes a word. For example, radar has been a word for at least 30 years, laser for 20 or so. NASA/Nasa seems to be on the point of graduating. Some acronyms, like RAF or USAF, seem never to become words. Which are next? ROM and RAM would appear to be prime candidates for promotion. Are some types of acronym more likely than others? I think it likely that the easily pronounced ones change status first. -- Peter Kendell ...!mcvax!ukc!stc!pete "Honesty's all out of fashion, These are the rigs of the times"