Apronyms
Apronyms => Apronym Discussion => Topic started by: Paul on February 05, 2003, 05:36:14 PM
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Does anyone know of the English term akin to Onomatopoeia (E.G. CRASH, BANG) that describes meaningful acronyms such as:
S.M.A.R.T. performance indicators
Q.U.E.S.T. beauty pageants
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If a word does not exist, I guess that gives you rights to invent one! Then write in to Oxford English Dictionary and tell them you've coined the phrase or word and they might put in the dictionary.
>>> On 05 February 2003 04:36:14 UTC, Paul wrote:
Does anyone know of the English term akin to Onomatopoeia (E.G. CRASH, BANG) that describes meaningful acronyms such as:
S.M.A.R.T. performance indicators
Q.U.E.S.T. beauty pageants
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I'm sure there is a word... and I really ought to know it since that sort of acronym is just what this site is about. Tony once suggested they be called aptonyms, so maybe someone should submit that to the lexicographers. It might be confused with the word 'aptronym' though. In fact, going by the google search I just did, it already is confused with aptronym.
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I can tell why Tony suggested aptonym. He wants his name up in the middle of it all.
The only thing I can think of is the clunky "apropos acronym."
>>> On 06 February 2003 19:41:59 UTC, Angela wrote:
I'm sure there is a word... and I really ought to know it since that sort of acronym is just what this site is about. Tony once suggested they be called aptonyms, so maybe someone should submit that to the lexicographers. It might be confused with the word 'aptronym' though. In fact, going by the google search I just did, it already is confused with aptronym.
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Jeff Anonymous wrote:
> I can tell why Tony suggested aptonym. He wants his name up in the middle of it all.
I hadn't noticed that 'tony' was in there, I was just conflating 'apt' and 'acronym'.
> The only thing I can think of is the clunky "apropos acronym."
While I still prefer aptonym, 'apronym' would be a nice conflation of 'apropriate/a propos' and 'acronym'.
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>>> On 19 February 2003 23:54:56 UTC, Tony wrote:
While I still prefer aptonym, 'apronym' would be a nice conflation of 'apropriate/a propos' and 'acronym'.
>>> and I replied:
Another one which could be confused with aptronym... but this one only has an 'apron' in it. Better than a crony, mm?
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Thanks for everyone's replies. I have to give a conference paper on 23 March. I think I will run with apronym. The 'a propos' link is very attractive.
cheers
Paul
>>> On 20 February 2003 06:45:00 UTC, Angela wrote:
>>> On 19 February 2003 23:54:56 UTC, Tony wrote:
While I still prefer aptonym, 'apronym' would be a nice conflation of 'apropriate/a propos' and 'acronym'.
>>> and I replied:
Another one which could be confused with aptronym... but this one only has an 'apron' in it. Better than a crony, mm?
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Paul wrote:
> I have to give a conference paper on 23 March.
> I think I will run with apronym.
> The 'a propos' link is very attractive.
Paul,
I don't knopw about the others on this site, but I would love to see your paper when you have delivered it. I'm curious to know what you might be talking about that you need to use this neologism. Even if you feel that you can't post the whole paper, you might post the relevant sections.
Thanks.
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hfjksjrbebfsjdfjekfkjsehfueejdjsdskjdjduewjsksnfcbnccmsmdjdiejkejfjkdjcfnx,m,zmznc,z..sjkdfieifkdhfjcmvcbvmwwkejhjkeoovm,x,xmcnvbrfjeifdkdnnvm,dlslfhkldhklsufhnejhkfiuehfhuhefjfjkdslkselkfhfhejldkelelkdfklfdkdfkdfikeioerikejikfjhnfnfdmjfhrkslkdjherinckdjfhriwowmdxbcnc dmdlwkd dkjlkwkdwkndjedikd dkwodjd djkwldldkowodkwodifiowjek,d,s,skxmsdkskwieujdfndkdlsld kjdkd dkdkld dkd dkkd kdksld ldepkdkodksodws jkowdjodwodoido pdopwdo owdjkfwujfdnwiopfw odwjidn owjowdi widopj widj iw owujw iwdju oiwp fjdkduddalahskisllsn v,x,mfie foe;f oeffmdkdolfjfmfmdcc,dmdkjfjfkfgkglffjd kjfkfjgklfpfoeofmm m kmfkdl,d9odlfk,cmdlfkdpeksd;dldkfmv ,c,df dkd dkfoe fkeofj jfoeojfjf jejdl jfjeld kls jfoipe oeof
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>>> On 10 July 2003 00:05:34 UTC, nhksjafj,as wrote:
hfjksjrbebfsjdfjekfkjsehfueejdjsdskjdjduewjsksnfcbnccmsmdjdiejkejfjkdjcfnx,m,zmznc,z..sjkdfieifkdhfjcmvcbvmwwkejhjkeoovm,x,xmcnvbrfjeifdkdnnvm,dlslfhkldhklsufhnejhkfiuehfhuhefjfjkdslkselkfhfhejldkelelkdfklfdkdfkdfikeioerikejikfjhnfnfdmjfhrkslkdjherinckdjfhriwowmdxbcnc dmdlwkd dkjlkwkdwkndjedikd dkwodjd djkwldldkowodkwodifiowjek,d,s,skxmsdkskwieujdfndkdlsld kjdkd dkdkld dkd dkkd kdksld ldepkdkodksodws jkowdjodwodoido pdopwdo owdjkfwujfdnwiopfw odwjidn owjowdi widopj widj iw owujw iwdju oiwp fjdkduddalahskisllsn v,x,mfie foe;f oeffmdkdolfjfmfmdcc,dmdkjfjfkfgkglffjd kjfkfjgklfpfoeofmm m kmfkdl,d9odlfk,cmdlfkdpeksd;dldkfmv ,c,df dkd dkfoe fkeofj jfoeojfjf jejdl jfjeld kls jfoipe oeof
Well, it 'may' be an acronym - but it would be interesting to see if it is meaningful.
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I'm not volunteering to expand it!
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English has the word onomatopoeia which, according to dictionary.com, is a "formation of words in imitation of sounds." For example, as you have given, "crash" "bang" or even "pow".
If, by "meaningful acronym" you mean an arrangement of letters abbreviating a phrase into a pronounceable word, the proper word to use in English is "acronym." An acronym, by DEFINITION, **MUST** be a pronounceable word. SNAFU, QANTAS, SMART, QUEST, these are all acronyms. Any other combination of letters abbreviating a phrase into gibberish is an ABBREVIATION.
The proposed term "apronym," if it made any linguistic and etymological sense, would be redundant at best. As it is, the proposed term is illogical and ungrammatical. Why, you ask? I'll tell you.
The proposed term "apronym" is purported to be a combination of "APROPOS" and "ACRONYM" meaning "APPROPRIATE ACRONYM." Nice work, if "APROPOS" were defined to mean "APPROPRIATE" which is most certainly is not. This is one of the most common blunders in the English language and is usually the result of someone trying to use a $25 word where an everyday, pedestrian word will do.
What does APROPOS mean, you ask? It comes to us from French and it means "with regard to." For example:
Apropos the discussion in this forum, methinks the participants are largely confused sixth graders who haven't yet figured out the English language.
Hope that clears things up for you.
Hugh
Defender of the English Language
>>> On 05 February 2003 04:36:14 UTC, Paul wrote:
Does anyone know of the English term akin to Onomatopoeia (E.G. CRASH, BANG) that describes meaningful acronyms such as:
S.M.A.R.T. performance indicators
Q.U.E.S.T. beauty pageants
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>>> On 10 July 2003 00:10:12 UTC, Tony wrote:
>>> On 10 July 2003 00:05:34 UTC, nhksjafj,as wrote:
hfjksjrbebfsjdfjekfkjsehfueejdjsdskjdjduewjsksnfcbnccmsmdjdiejkejfjkdjcfnx,m,zmznc,z..sjkdfieifkdhfjcmvcbvmwwkejhjkeoovm,x,xmcnvbrfjeifdkdnnvm,dlslfhkldhklsufhnejhkfiuehfhuhefjfjkdslkselkfhfhejldkelelkdfklfdkdfkdfikeioerikejikfjhnfnfdmjfhrkslkdjherinckdjfhriwowmdxbcnc dmdlwkd dkjlkwkdwkndjedikd dkwodjd djkwldldkowodkwodifiowjek,d,s,skxmsdkskwieujdfndkdlsld kjdkd dkdkld dkd dkkd kdksld ldepkdkodksodws jkowdjodwodoido pdopwdo owdjkfwujfdnwiopfw odwjidn owjowdi widopj widj iw owujw iwdju oiwp fjdkduddalahskisllsn v,x,mfie foe;f oeffmdkdolfjfmfmdcc,dmdkjfjfkfgkglffjd kjfkfjgklfpfoeofmm m kmfkdl,d9odlfk,cmdlfkdpeksd;dldkfmv ,c,df dkd dkfoe fkeofj jfoeojfjf jejdl jfjeld kls jfoipe oeof
Well, it 'may' be an acronym - but it would be interesting to see if it is meaningful.
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As per my reply to the original post, your contribution is most certainly NOT an acronym. At least, I can't distinguish a pronunciation for it.
Hugh
Defender of the English Language
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We are aware of the distinction between acronyms, abbreviations, and initialisms. Not all acronyms are apronyms, however... apronyms are not only pronounceable, but mean something relevant to what the letters stand for. That is why we came up with a more specific word.
I applaud your crusade to keep the English language from being corrupted. While I don't claim that my own English is perfect, I am often annoyed by misuse of the language myself.
My Chambers dictionary defines apropos as:
adv. to the purpose; appropriately; in reference to (with of); by the way, incidentally. adj. to the purpose, pertinent.
This fits the meaning you gave and also our 'incorrect' interpretation... 'appropriately' and 'pertinent' fit what we are trying to convey. If that is not good enough for you, just imagine the 'apro' is from appropriate.
I would look it up in my other dictionaries but I don't have them handy.
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<a href=> news</a>
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> <a href=> news</a>
A Harried Reader Errs Filing New Entry Which Spells Apronym
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>>> On 09 May 2004 01:27:46 UTC, Hugh wrote:
> The proposed term "apronym," if it made any linguistic and
> etymological sense, would be redundant at best. As it is, the
> proposed term is illogical and ungrammatical. Why, you ask?
> I'll tell you.
No Hugh, I didn't ask, so please don't tell me.
I am my own pedant!
If you don't like it here go and establish your own site. We have our little bit of harmless fun here, and we enjoy it. If you find it objectionable, why visit us?
> What does APROPOS mean, you ask? It comes to us from
> French and it means "with regard to." For example:
> Apropos the discussion in this forum, methinks the
> participants are largely confused sixth graders who
> haven't yet figured out the English language.
> Hope that clears things up for you.
You are trying to 'clear up' something which doesn't need clarification. The English language is a living thing, it grows and modifies by ingesting owrds from other languages which English speakers find useful. In the process of ingestion the words often undergo radical change from their original meaning, but they usually just acquire subtle nuances.
Are you so averse to change? Why?
Have you ever used the word "smashing" to equate with 'good' or 'great' - "We had a smashing day out at the zoo." or "The dinner was smashing."?
Did you ever wonder how a word connected with destruction could be used in such a context?
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> Have you ever used the word "smashing" to
> equate with 'good' or 'great' - "We had a
> smashing day out at the zoo." or "The dinner
> was smashing."?
> Did you ever wonder how a word connected with
> destruction could be used in such a context?
Or our favorite from Aardman Animation... "Cracking toast, Gromit!"
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On 24 August 2004 13:27:33 UTC, Sean Lamb wrote:
> Or our favorite from Aardman Animation... "Cracking toast, Gromit!"
No Sean, the point I was trying to make to Hugh was that the word 'smashing' is an import. It is the Anglicisation of an Irish phrase 'is maith sin' which translates as 'that's good'. His beloved English language marches on and survives by taking what it feels it needs from other languages, and also by modifying the meanings of existing words - 'cool' for example refers, for a new generation, to what I would have referred to as 'hot'!
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Were the last two posts supposed to make no sense whatsoever?
>>> On 10 July 2003 00:29:40 UTC, Angela wrote:
I'm not volunteering to expand it!
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Thera wrote:
> Were the last two posts supposed to make no sense whatsoever?
What didn't you understand, Thera?
I was pointing out that English is a living, growing language.
I indicated that the word 'smashing' when used to mean something good, comes from the Irish language.
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Going by the message Thera quoted, I would guess that Thera was referring to nhksjafj,as's post and my response to it.
In that case, yes, as far as I know nhksjafj,as's post wasn't supposed to make any sense. My response to it was a jest attempting to make some sense out of it, since I suppose it could have stood for something which made sense.
For example, perhaps nhksjafj,as was actually an acronym for:
Nobody Here Knows Stupid Jokes Aren't Fun Jokes, Apronymising's Stupid.
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>>> On 10 July 2003 00:05:34 UTC, nhksjafj,as wrote:
hfjksjrbebfsjdfjekfkjsehfueejdjsdskjdjduewjsksnfcbnccmsmdjdiejkejfjkdjcfnx,m,zmznc,z..sjkdfieifkdhfjcmvcbvmwwkejhjkeoovm,x,xmcnvbrfjeifdkdnnvm,dlslfhkldhklsufhnejhkfiuehfhuhefjfjkdslkselkfhfhejldkelelkdfklfdkdfkdfikeioerikejikfjhnfnfdmjfhrkslkdjherinckdjfhriwowmdxbcnc dmdlwkd dkjlkwkdwkndjedikd dkwodjd djkwldldkowodkwodifiowjek,d,s,skxmsdkskwieujdfndkdlsld kjdkd dkdkld dkd dkkd kdksld ldepkdkodksodws jkowdjodwodoido pdopwdo owdjkfwujfdnwiopfw odwjidn owjowdi widopj widj iw owujw iwdju oiwp fjdkduddalahskisllsn v,x,mfie foe;f oeffmdkdolfjfmfmdcc,dmdkjfjfkfgkglffjd kjfkfjgklfpfoeofmm m kmfkdl,d9odlfk,cmdlfkdpeksd;dldkfmv ,c,df dkd dkfoe fkeofj jfoeojfjf jejdl jfjeld kls jfoipe oeof