I shall be pedantic just once in reference to this compo:
An acronym, technically, must be pronounceable as a single word, such as NATO or scuba or radar. Otherwise it's an abbreviation or 'initialism'.

/also bored
( Sexy Picard 2000, Fri 12 Aug 2005, 22:14, archived)

It doesn't
but I won't argue as I can't find anything to specifically confirm this at the moment.

Just you wait.
( Mystery_Bob, Fri 12 Aug 2005, 22:16, archived)

check the dictionary, wikipedia, etc.
not that it matters... I'm just being a fussy arse.
( Sexy Picard 2000, Fri 12 Aug 2005, 22:18, archived)

Glad I'm not the only one thinking I'm right, Bob...
And a pleasure meeting you on Monday.
(Satan's Pet, Fri 12 Aug 2005, 22:18, archived)

Likewise
I have a feeling my source on this little bit of English usage was watching an episode of QI.
( Mystery_Bob, Fri 12 Aug 2005, 22:26, archived)

you're a mod
Delete this thread and no one will be the wiser. :-)
( Sexy Picard 2000, Fri 12 Aug 2005, 22:27, archived)

7 is right.
but it would spavine this competition if we took it literally.
( Trinosaur, Fri 12 Aug 2005, 22:26, archived)

P.E.D.A.N.T
PERSON ERRACTICALLY DEMANDING ALL (k)NOWN TRUTH

*edited* for shitness
( Mstandot burnt his foot and didn't like it., Fri 12 Aug 2005, 22:17, archived)

no a
/pedAnt

Edit: a bit late to go chucking in more words!
( Paster of Muppets Join the 39,000 club!, Fri 12 Aug 2005, 22:20, archived)

no it isn't
/pedants
( Mstandot burnt his foot and didn't like it., Fri 12 Aug 2005, 22:27, archived)

Person Eats Dictionary And Narks Transgressors?

( Trinosaur, Fri 12 Aug 2005, 22:30, archived)

I would tend
to agree with you. But a direct quote from the dictionary says:-

acronym

An identifier formed from some of the letters (often
the initials) of a phrase and used as an abbreviation.


See also TLA.*


* it really refers to TLA in the dictionary.
( Zoot Cadillac . do androids dream of electric sheep?, Fri 12 Aug 2005, 22:20, archived)

yes
it refers to TLA because if you looked up TLA it would help to further define the term--not because it's an acronym itself...
( Sexy Picard 2000, Fri 12 Aug 2005, 22:23, archived)

Aye
No need to convince me. Anyway, arguing semantics on here is as usefull as tits on fish.
( Zoot Cadillac . do androids dream of electric sheep?, Fri 12 Aug 2005, 22:30, archived)

I choose the Oxford dictionary
...which specifies that it's a 'word formed from initial letters', with the examples 'Ernie, laser, Nato, radar, Unesco'.
( Trinosaur, Fri 12 Aug 2005, 22:34, archived)

well at least people actually read enough of the compo to misunderstand it this time
it's not like "any picture with David Hasselhoff in it" challenge
( hanke sniffle snoffle, Fri 12 Aug 2005, 22:56, archived)