DEV Community

Stop Using Acronyms

Sturdy on July 27, 2022

I recently was invited to a vendor lunch and learn. Here is the subject - OCP Platform - ACS and ACM - ODF Advanced I didn't go. I don't know w...
Collapse
 
tinussmit profile image
Tinus Smit

My observations on this over the years:

  • We should not ridicule people asking for clarification. Make them feel like they can ask in almost any situation.
  • In writing, especially emails, I've setup text replacement rules in Outlook that would replace sp with SharePoint as I type. So I have the benefit of typing in shorthand, and the clarity of the full term at the same time.

There's no one-size-fits-all way to fix it, but I think this also helps to make it easier and more accessible for all šŸ˜ƒ

Collapse
 
linkbenjamin profile image
Ben Link

Your first bullet rang a bell for me. While I agree that we should feel safe to ask, I believe we should take it a step farther. The Communicator has information that they want to convey to the Recipient. It's the Recipient's responsibility to listen and ask questions, sure... but it's the Communicator's responsibility to ensure the information has been delivered effectively! So the Communicator should always strive to deliver more than the "bare minimum message".

Also love the idea that the tools can assist us in being faster while preserving clarity. Wonder if those replacement rules could be sort of "inner-sourced" within a company that struggles with alphabet soup?

Collapse
 
tinussmit profile image
Tinus Smit

Absolutely. It's a two-way street, because I've also encountered similar acronyms and abbreviations that have different meanings based on the context e.g.
CI

  • Corporate Identity
  • Continuous Integration
  • Customer Insights

It's not impossible that all three above could feature in the same meeting and then it is up to the communicator to ensure that contextually these are explained well enough.

Collapse
 
desvocate profile image
desvocate

I think acronyms naturally form as part of a group/community's communication style, so there's no getting away from it. What may seem "commonly used" to you could still mean absolutely nothing to another group. We're also really keen on shortening #allthethings, see: abbreviations and contractions!

That said, totally agreed on the subject for the lunch & learn. It seems like it wasn't constructed by someone with Communications as part of their skillset.

So my opposing argument: It's not the acronyms that's an issue but rather that someone tried to make a sentence using only acronyms. :P

Collapse
 
jonrandy profile image
Jon Randy šŸŽ–ļø • Edited

<pedantry>
Most of your examples are initialisms, not acronyms
</pedantry>

Collapse
 
tchaflich profile image
Thomas C. Haflich

I am of the firm belief that any initialism can be an acronym if you try hard and believe in yourself.

Collapse
 
sturdy5 profile image
Sturdy

This is the comment I was expecting at any moment. Thanks for bringing the pedantry.

Collapse
 
pinotattari profile image
Riccardo Bernardini

Would you sign in for my AAAAAAA (American Association Against the Aggressive Adaption and Abuse of Acronyms)?

Sorry, I could not resist... šŸ˜„

Collapse
 
moopet profile image
Ben Sinclair

IKR?

Collapse
 
tchaflich profile image
Thomas C. Haflich

When writing a paper or other longform communcation, I allow myself to use acronyms/initialisms if I define them the first time they appear.

When working with the Department of Advanced Mechanical Nuance (DAMN), [...]

Or flipped a bit

Next, turn on the rotovap (rotary evaporator) to 200 rpm and 30 deg C [...]

Collapse
 
sandordargo profile image
Sandor Dargo

Well said, SUA!

Collapse
 
fredysandoval profile image
Fredy Sandoval

Aa = Absolutely agree.

Collapse
 
raguay profile image
Richard Guay

Amen! I keep getting lost in them.

Collapse
 
nombrekeff profile image
Keff

CNAM!!!