initialese etymology

Etymology:

Initialese is a portmanteau word combining "initial" and "-ese."

Meaning:

Initialese refers to a specialized language or jargon that is composed primarily of acronyms, abbreviations, and initialisms. It is often used in technical or bureaucratic contexts, where time-saving and brevity are valued.

Origin:

The term "initialese" first appeared in the early 20th century, with some attributing its coinage to the American humorist and writer Stephen Leacock. It gained popularity in the mid-20th century as the use of acronyms and abbreviations became increasingly common in fields such as science, technology, and government.

Characteristics:

• Composed primarily of acronyms, abbreviations, and initialisms
• Used to simplify and condense information
• Can be difficult for outsiders to understand
• May have a bureaucratic or jargonistic tone
• Often found in technical manuals, memoranda, and specialized publications

Examples:

• NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
• FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
• HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)
• IMHO (In My Humble Opinion)
• ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival)

initialese relate terms

• initial

  Etymology The word etymology comes from the Greek words etymon meaning true meanin

• initial

  Etymology The word etymology comes from the Greek words etymon meaning true meanin

• matrix

  Etymology The English word matrix is derived from the Latin word matrix meaning wo

• athlete

• civil

  Meaning and Origin of Civil Etymology Civil etymology refers to a process where words cha

• society

  Etymology The word society comes from the Latin word societas which means associat

• history

  Etymology Greek ἱστορία historia inquiry knowledge acquired by investigati

• crux

  Etymology Latin crux meaning cross Meaning A crucial point issue or questi

• quit

  Etymology The word quit comes from the Old French word quiter which means to give

• hail

  Etymology The word hail comes from the Proto Germanic root hagul meaning hailstone

• alien

  Etymology The word alien derives from the Latin word aliēnus meaning of or belongi

• kind