A while back, we wrote an article about retronyms. Now it’s time for more Word People whimsy!
Do you know what a “backronym” is? If not, you soon shall.
A backronym is a reverse acronym. (Alternative spelling: bacronym)
It’s an expression that has been formed from the letters of an existing word or name.
Examples include:
- SAD: “Seasonal Affective Disorder”
- MADD: “Mothers Against Drunk Driving”
- ZIP code: “Zone Improvement Plan”
- BANANA: “Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anybody”
Sources: grammar.about.com, fun-with-words.com, dictionary.reference.com