TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Init/Abbrev/Acron From:Sue Heim <SUE -at- RIS -dot- RISINC -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 10 Mar 1995 09:41:31 PST
Arlen wrote:
> It's an initialism, not an acronym nor an abbreviation.
> To be an abbreviation it would be "C. V." To be an acronym, it
> would have to be prounceable. A collection of initials
<snip>
And then Beverly Parks wrote:
> RSVP is considered an abbreviation--not an initialism--yet it
> has no periods. Also, IBM and FBI. They follow the rules of
> initialisms in that each letter is pronounced.
At any rate, I didn't think we used periods anymore when
abbreviating. For example, USA is no longer abbreviated with periods.
Unfortunately my brain is sick right now and I can't think of any
other examples, although I know there are bunches...
Sue Heim
RIS
Email: Sue -at- ris -dot- risinc -dot- com