Bill Potts wrote in USMA 26021:
A definitive description of what an acronym is and is not is in the New York Public Library Desk Reference. Here it is:
Acronyms are pronounceable formations made
by combining the initial letters or syllables of a string of words.
Some abbreviations look like acronyms, but are listed as abbreviations
because they are not pronounced as words, for example, CIA (usually
pronounced "C-I-A") and DAR (usually pronounced
"D-A-R"). A few acronyms may be pronounced either as words
("REM") or as abbreviations ("R-E-M").
I am glad that the New York Public Library agrees with Gene and
me.
--
Joseph B. Reid
17 Glebe Road West
Toronto M5P 1C8
Telephone 416-486-6071
17 Glebe Road West
Toronto M5P 1C8
