Do U Think Acronyms R an Epidemic?

B. McLeod
Sep 30, 2009 1:40 PM CST

Certainly some acronyms have become so common that they have entered common speech and are as readily understood as the full name of the entity or thing referred to (e.g., NAACP, FDIC, YMCA, PETA, QDRO, GIC, etc.)

Beyond that, some types of filings (particularly in appellate contexts) maybe subject to page limits such that it is useful for that reason to define an acronym or short-form reference term for entities or things with very long names.  Ordinarily the full name should be used for the first reference, followed by a parenthetical introducing the acronym or short-form reference, as for example, “(hereinafter ‘[acronym]’).”  In this fashion, you basically tell the reader at the start what the acronym means (so they should not have to refer to an external dictionary).  Another (but in my opinion, less useful) approach is to include a glossary of defined terms at the back.  This can disrupt the intended flow of written communication, as the reader has to keep flipping to the glossary to see what is meant.

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Jackcatscal
Oct 1, 2009 12:50 PM CST

Counsellor McLeod:  “QDRO” and “GIC” have entered common speech and are readily understood?  Not in this part of the world.  That, IMHO (how’s that one?) makes them jargon.  Kinda proves the judge’s point.

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tim
Oct 2, 2009 6:33 AM CST

English changes with the times.  50 years from now our legal briefs will look like the short hand text messages we send today.

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db
Oct 2, 2009 6:37 AM CST

In the example offensive sentence, only 2 of the three items are acronyms. The other is an abbreviation. Abbreviations and acronyms can be quite useful so long as the terms for which they stand are properly identified when first used - and perhaps again if the article is quite long.

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Dan Waddell
Oct 2, 2009 7:51 AM CST

I agree with db (#7), but wish he/she would have explained why, for general enlightenment.  An acronym is an abbreviation that is pronounced as if it were a word (NASA, Radar, PETA, e.g.).  If the letters are simply spoken as letters (YMCA, NAACP, FBI), it is merely an abbreviation, not an acronym.

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Lily
Oct 2, 2009 8:01 AM CST

The worst offender of this has to be the federal government.  There are acronyms within acronyms.  The “P” in LPO stands for PICS.  Acronyms are made into verbs and adjectives.  I laughed out loud the first time someone asked me whether a document was FOIAble.

No one ever wants to get caught not knowing an acronym.  They will pretend to know it, nod along, and then Google it when they get back to their desk.

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MLH
Oct 2, 2009 8:28 AM CST

From my perspective, it doesn’t matter whether we are talking about acronyms or abbreviations or initialisms. The reality is that our goal when we write is to communicate with the reader, to inform or persuade. If the shortened version of the text makes it more difficult for our audience to understand what we are trying to say, we lessen the impact of our writing. It is important for us to know our intended audience and to make a careful assessment of whether the readers will find a particular abbreviation or acronym troublesome.  We musn’t assume that because an abbreviation is automatic and easy for us that our audience will necessarily feel the same way.  It’s particularly disruptive when a writer uses multiple acronyms in the same document, as even intelligent readers may have to flip back to where the acronym is defined in order to understand the passage.  When in doubt, spell it out.

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Jim Kennedy
Oct 2, 2009 8:31 AM CST

The use of acronyms and abbreviations are inevitable and indispensable in most or all businesses and professions.  The use of texting shorthand is as useful as traditional shorthand once was before dictating equipment was invented.  However, I find the thought that one day lawyers will write a pleading or brief that uses “u” for “you” or “r” for “are” nauseating and I am pleased to know that I won’t be around to see it or be tempted to do it.

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fairkid
Oct 2, 2009 9:04 AM CST

I don’t have a problem with acronyms, as long as they’re spelled out at the beginning of the writing so someone unfamiliar with it knows what you’re talkiing about.  Shorthand texting, on the other hand, drives me nuts.  I think it’s a way to circumvent the obvious fact one does not know how to spell, or yet another deplorable example of laziness.  If you can’t write the word out while texting, IMing (oh!  another acronym!), or emailing, perhaps you should be using the phone.  It’s much more efficient than forcing the reader to figure out what you’re trying to say.  Not only that, in our profession, do you really want a shorthand text message to show up in response to a discovery request?  OMG, not cool.  Just imagine all the peeps ROFL when they C UR text.

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FSW
Oct 2, 2009 10:15 AM CST

I agree wholeheartedly with #13 and #16.  I am 68, practicing for 45 years.  I have written 100’s of motion and trial briefs and a bunch of appellate briefs.  My second computer was an IBM 8088.  Whenever there is a long cumbersome name that must be repeated several times in a brief, I strive to find a shorter reference that is easily understood.  I avoid unfamiliar acronyms and initials like the plague.  As a simple example, for “John Smith, Plaintiff” I would use John or Smith, not Plaintiff, and never JS.  Again, the object is to communicate.

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Gerard Lafond
Oct 2, 2009 11:51 AM CST

Save a tree when you can.  For the sake of brevity (and the sanity of the reader) the appropriate use of acronyms is essential in legal briefs.  As for the use of “acronyms and shorthand” on Facebook and Twitter, mastery of this form of communication is essential for communication with anyone under 25 or so, and is sort of fun.  Sadly, though, the proliferation of this writing style seemingly parallels a general deterioration of the ability of the populace to write correctly, on or offline.

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Marian Kurtz Hurley
Oct 2, 2009 5:57 PM CST

I have worked in the Ferederal Government for over 33 years (forgive me). When using an acronym, it is standard procedure to use the spelled-out word, followed by the acronym, which is thereafter used. (especially when writing for persons who may/may not be familiar with the content of your article) That way, someone unfamiliar with it has the reference. Not a big problem.

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Alan M Ehrlich
Oct 2, 2009 6:55 PM CST

First and foremost.  In your example, SCM is not an acronym.  Acronyms are supposed to be initialisms that themsleves can be sounded out as a word, e.g., laser, radar, snafu, or in your example, CARB and AIM.  But in this day and age of imprecise use of language, acronym has become any abbreviation.  WRONG!!!

Of course, any criticism of overuse of acronyms extends to abbreviations as well.

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Dave
Oct 7, 2009 11:20 AM CST

I suppose in a patent infringement case about a particular type of mechanical device you might have to reference the actions of the PTO in issuing a patent claiming a PTO when you file your PTO.

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Greg
Oct 9, 2009 11:30 AM CST

Acronyms are great when the reader knows what they mean.  Newfangled acronyms should never be used.

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Luis Volta
Oct 9, 2009 1:42 PM CST

Good comments! Some of them have very good points: #9 explains the difference between acronyms and abbreviation—#12 tells you that overusing them will make you forget correct spelling—#13 says that is important to remember your intended audience—#17 shows a great point, that maybe shorthand texts may be used out of laziness or lack of proper spelling.
  A.I believe that some acronyms are justifiable:
      1.If same name will be repeated many times in a long document, and the name is a long one; as #18 uses as example:”Magnuson-Srevens Fishery and Management” compare to “MSA”
      2.The acronym is defined in parenthesis and boldfaced type the first time on the text, specially for an uncommon one.
  B.Not justifiable:
      1.If it’s done to impress your audience.
      2.In legal or official documents. Unless
        A-1, and A-2 applies.

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