This week’s language term, abbreviation, is a little impatient. Why spend a lot of time and effort on something when it can be done quickly and efficiently? He always knows how to find the shortest way and prefers not to spend a cent too much. But he always does this to help others: he assumes that they would rather spend their time elsewhere.
Definition
An abbreviation is a way of writing down a longer word or series of words in a shortened form.
There is a wide variation in the use of upper and lower case letters in abbreviations. The same applies to whether or not to use periods after and/or in the abbreviation. One or more notations may be established for various abbreviations.
Examples
There are several ways to create abbreviated spelling, and they all fall under the umbrella term “abbreviation”. We list a few of them.
Purely written abbreviations
You do not pronounce these abbreviations as they appear. Instead, just say the words the abbreviation stands for.
- What is your view on this problem?
- Blokker will contact you tomorrow .
- See page134 for more explanation.
When you read these sentences out loud, just say “regarding”, “doctor” and “page”. And not “embeetee”, “drr” or “bluz”.
There isn’t really a technical term for these kinds of abbreviations; they are sometimes referred to as “’real’ abbreviations” or “abbreviations in the narrow sense”.
Initial words
An initial word is made up of the first letters of the words in the abbreviated text, and these are also pronounced as single letters.
- ‘Hello goodbye’ is a program by KRO-NCRV.
- This scandal is a great embarrassment to the college of B and W.
- My toiletis clogged again.
You can also create an initial word, including the initial letters of a word part in a compound word:
- KLM stands for Royal Aviation Company.
Acronyms
An acronym is also made up of the first letters of the abbreviated words, but you pronounce it as if it were a word itself (and it is!).
- Our son is in high school.
[ higher general education ] _ _ - We have switched to LED
[ light and mittingdiode ] - Did you know that Dirk has contracted an STD?
[ sexually tolerable disease ]
Some acronyms have become so common that not everyone knows what the letters actually stand for anymore. Do you know the ingredients of GIF (or gif ) – you know, those funny repetitive mini-movies you get thrown to death on the internet? ( hint )
Acronyms
This is an umbrella term that includes both initials and acronyms: all abbreviations formed with the initial letters of the omitted words. In a somewhat broader definition, you can also include syllable words (see below).
Sometimes a narrower definition is used in which only acronyms count as “true” acronyms. But here at Taaleidoscoop we don’t exclude initial words and syllable words.
Syllable words
A syllable word, like an initial word or acronym, is made up of the opening letters of the words it stands for, but it takes the first two (or more) letters of each word instead of just the very first letter. Often there is a vowel next to it, so that each of the constituent words contributes a syllable to the syllable word – hence the name.
- Pim works in the hospitality industry .
[ hotel, restaurant , cafe ] - Shall we go get some fries at FEBO ?
[named after FerdinandBol Street ] - The Beneluxis a popular holiday area.
[ Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg ]
Here too, as with the initial word, you can use ingredients from a word part when making a syllable word, even if it is not at the beginning of the written word:
- Covid stands for corona virus virus infection .
Abbreviations
With an abbreviation you do not use individual letters from the constituent words as substitutes, but you omit part of the letters from a word – usually it is also one word.
- Shall we go to the cinematonight ?
- The US President ‘s helicopteris sometimes referred to as “Marine One.”
- I think my car battery is dead.
As you can see, no initial letters have been recycled here, but the second part of the word bios[coop], heli[kopter] and accu[mulator] has simply been omitted.
You can also shorten it by cutting out other parts of the word, such as the middle letters. Think of the titles dr. for d[okte]r and ir. for i[ngenieu]r.
Sometimes the spelling of the abbreviation gets a slightly modified spelling or an extra sound. Think of buuf for “neighbor” and combo for “combination”.
Symbols
Symbols also count as abbreviations. They often come from a technical, economic, legal or scientific context.
- ℃ for
- ©for
- $for
Etymology
This language term says exactly what it stands for. An abbreviation is shorter than the word or words it stands for.
- af (adverb of deletion) + short + -ing (suffix to form a noun)
Do you know
Grammatically, an abbreviation applies as a word. That is why you can make diminutives with it ( pc’tje, accuutje), but also derivations ( mavoër, DVDs ), verbs ( texting, appen ), etc.
50 States in the USA
Recent Updates
Fairfax, Vermont - According to ehuacom, Fairfax, Vermont is a small town in the Champlain Valley of northwestern Vermont. It is situated on the banks of the Winooski River and is surrounded by rolling hills and lush forests. The town is bordered by the towns of Georgia, Williston, Milton, and Colchester and has a population of just over...
American University in Cairo (AUC) - According to abbreviationfinder, American University in Cairo is commonly known as AUC. The American University in Cairo (AUC) was founded in 1919 by American Mission in Egypt. It has since become one of the most prestigious universities in the Middle East and North Africa region. AUC’s mission is to provide a liberal arts education that prepares...
Camden, Maine - According to ehuacom, Camden, Maine is a picturesque coastal town located in the Mid-Coast region of the state. The town covers an area of 8.8 square miles and is situated on Penobscot Bay, a large inlet of the Gulf of Maine. It is bounded by Rockport to the north, Lincolnville to the east, Hope to...
American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists (ACVA) - According to abbreviationfinder, American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists is commonly known as ACVA. The American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists (ACVA) was founded in 1975 by a group of veterinarians passionate about advancing the field of veterinary anesthesiology. The founders envisioned an organization that would promote the highest standards of veterinary anesthetic care and provide education for...
Drain, Oregon - According to Jibin123, Drain, Oregon is a small city located in Douglas County in the southern part of the state. With a population of just over 1,000 people, Drain is a rural community with a rich history and stunning landscape. The city lies just east of Interstate 5 and is approximately 60 miles south of...
American College of Mortgage Attorneys (ACMA) - According to abbreviationfinder, American College of Mortgage Attorneys is commonly known as ACMA. The American College of Mortgage Attorneys (ACMA) was founded in 1982 by a group of leading mortgage attorneys from across the United States. Led by founding president, Earl I. Anzai, the ACMA sought to create a professional association dedicated to promoting excellence in...
Andover, Ohio - According to iamaccepted, Andover, Ohio is a small village located in Ashtabula County in the northeastern corner of the state. It is situated on the banks of the Grand River, surrounded by rolling hills and forests. Andover is home to 5,000 residents and covers an area of 4.25 square miles. The climate in Andover is...
Ambler, Pennsylvania - According to existingcountries, Ambler, Pennsylvania is a small borough located in Montgomery County, about 15 miles north of Philadelphia. The town has a population of 6,541 as of 2019. It is situated on the western bank of the Wissahickon Creek and is surrounded by Lower Gwynedd Township, Upper Dublin Township, and Whitpain Township. Ambler has...
Anadarko, Oklahoma - According to ehuacom, Anadarko, Oklahoma is a city located in Caddo County in the southwestern part of the state. It is situated near the Washita River and is just over 30 miles from the Texas border. Anadarko has a population of about 7,000 people and covers an area of about 8 square miles. The geography...
Bay City, Oregon - According to anycountyprivateschools, Bay City, Oregon is a small coastal town located on the Pacific Coast in Tillamook County. The town is situated on the north bank of Tillamook Bay, about 60 miles southwest of Portland and 17 miles northwest of Tillamook. It has a population of around 1,500 residents and is home to some...