The use of Acronyms, e.g. Initial Slang, is on the rise. It is a veritable Alphabet Soup of shorthand increasingly being applied to everyday language and writing. States (FL, WA), Federal and State Agencies (DOE, EPA) Chemical symbols (Cl, Au) Airport designations (CHI, DFW), and generic statements (OMG, IMHO), etc, are being used and expanded. The problem is that many Acronyms are somewhat obscure and/or have multiple meanings.
Having written numerous papers, articles, books and presentations: Acronyms need to be defined. Because the Daily Kos audience is diverse, it is a general rule that the first time you use an Acronym, put it in parenthesis behind the full spelling for clarity of discussion: e.g. Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). This differentiates it from the Wisconsin Interscholastic Activities Association, which uses the same Acronym (WIAA).
I went through most of the stories and comments in today’s (April 22, 2017) Daily Kos identifying the Acronyms that were being used. I came across several dozen. There were only two I couldn’t identify: SPOX and PANDAS. SPOX has 2 meanings: SpokesPerson and Smallpox. Since the story was about Ivanka Trump, I don’t think it referred to smallpox. PANDAS is a different story. I looked it up on Acronym Finder to find the meaning which was: Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infection. Ohhh KAY! Sounds like something Trump could be suffering from. Oops! Got off the subject. But, it is something the author should of clarified.
Other Acronyms I found with multiple meanings (application underlined):
- SS — 336 meanings, including Secret Service and Social Security.
- NRA — 60 meanings including National Rifle Association, National Recovery Act, National Recreation Act.
Since the past election, Daily Kos members and followers are increasing rapidly: Some are active participants while others just prefer to read and comment. In conducting my cursory review, I found that commenters used Acronyms more than story writers. So, for the sake of clarity, please review your Acronym use in your stories and comments. And if you’re not sure if everyone knows your context or meaning: SPELL IT OUT, and (paren) the Acronym.
You can state your preference in the poll below.