Acronyms and initialisms

Acronym vs initialism illustration: comparing the acronym laser—pronounced as a word— and the initialism FBI—pronounced by saying the letters

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We all know that you make an acronym by taking the initial letters of a set of words and putting them together. So Random Access Memory becomes RAM, or the United States becomes the US. But I only found out recently that these two examples are actually different.

An acronym is when the initials of a set of words are said as a word, like laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation), radar (radio detection and ranging), sonar (sound navigation and ranging), NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) or NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).

An initialism, by contrast, is when a set of initials are pronounced as letters when you say them, like FBI, CIA, US, BBC or CD.

More word-related sketchplanations

This sketch was revised for my book Big Ideas Little Pictures. Here's the original .

Published 21 Jul 2018

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BASE jumping is an acronym for Building, Antenna (like a radio or communication tower), Span (such as a bridge), and Earth (a cliff or natural formation)—the four types of fixed objects people jump from

BASE Jumping — Building, Antenna, Span, Earth

BASE jumping is the hair-raising pastime of leaping off tall, fixed objects instead of out of planes, for example. It's a great name because it works as-is and is also an acronym—which I didn't realise for years. BASE stands for the types of fixed objects BASE jumpers might throw themselves off: Buildings, Antennas (like radio or communication towers), Spans (i.e. bridges), and Earth (like a cliff or natural formation). The term BASE jumping was coined by filmmaker Carl Boenish, who famously jumped off El Capitan, among other dramatic locations. It remains one of the most dangerous sporting activities, and tragically, Carl died on a jump in Norway. People even BASE jump into caves. Perhaps you remember the spectacular opening sequence from the BBC Planet Earth Caves episode. Bungee jumping isn't technically BASE jumping. BASE jumping involves a parachute, whereas bungee jumping uses the trademark stretchy cord and involves bouncing around before being pulled back up. BASE jumping is an acronym like laser or radar, where the letters form a word you say as a whole. If we said B–A–S–E jumping (saying the letters individually), it would instead be an initialism. BASE jumping is often carried out illegally, such as by trespassing on private buildings to jump off from them. Just to be clear—I'm not recommending you try it out =) Related Ideas to BASE Jumping BASE Jumping is a good opportunity to share some of my favourite sketches to think about: The Fun Scale Flow Optimism Bias Acronyms and Initialisms Know your flying fabrics Nine-Enders What drives us? Core components of risk Microlives and micromorts…BASE jumping is the hair-raising pastime of leaping off tall, fixed objects instead of out of planes, for example. It's a great name because it works as-is and is also an acronym—which I didn't realise for years. BASE stands for the types of fixed objects BASE jumpers might throw themselves off: Buildings, Antennas (like radio or communication towers), Spans (i.e. bridges), and Earth (like a cliff or natural formation). The term BASE jumping was coined by filmmaker Carl Boenish, who famously jumped off El Capitan, among other dramatic locations. It remains one of the most dangerous sporting activities, and tragically, Carl died on a jump in Norway. People even BASE jump into caves. Perhaps you remember the spectacular opening sequence from the BBC Planet Earth Caves episode. Bungee jumping isn't technically BASE jumping. BASE jumping involves a parachute, whereas bungee jumping uses the trademark stretchy cord and involves bouncing around before being pulled back up. BASE jumping is an acronym like laser or radar, where the letters form a word you say as a whole. If we said B–A–S–E jumping (saying the letters individually), it would instead be an initialism. BASE jumping is often carried out illegally, such as by trespassing on private buildings to jump off from them. Just to be clear—I'm not recommending you try it out =) Related Ideas to BASE Jumping BASE Jumping is a good opportunity to share some of my favourite sketches to think about: The Fun Scale Flow Optimism Bias Acronyms and Initialisms Know your flying fabrics Nine-Enders What drives us? Core components of risk Microlives and micromorts

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