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'''Initialisms''' are a form of abbreviation in which a phrase is abbreviated to the first letter of each word in the phrase; familiar examples include
'''Initialisms''' are a form of abbreviation in which a phrase is abbreviated to the first letter of each word in the phrase; familiar examples include
*''CPA'' for ''Certified Public Accountand''
*''CPA,'' for ''Certified Public Accountand''
*''CBS'' for ''Columbia Broadcasting System''
*''CBS,'' for ''Columbia Broadcasting System''
*''KJV'' for ''King James Version.''
*''KJV,'' for ''King James Version.''
They are distinguished from ''acronyms'' in that initialisms are pronounced as individual letters, while acronyms are pronounced as if the letters spelled out a word (which they may in some cases do). Both initialisms and acronyms are defined by custom; sometimes they do not strictly follow the rule of using every initial, or only the first initial. Unimportant words may be omitted, and particularly in the case of acronyms a certain amount of creativity may be employed.
They are distinguished from ''acronyms'' in that initialisms are pronounced as individual letters, while acronyms are pronounced as if the letters spelled out a word (which they may in some cases do). Both initialisms and acronyms are defined by custom; sometimes they do not strictly follow the rule of using every initial, or only the first initial. Unimportant words may be omitted, and particularly in the case of acronyms a certain amount of creativity may be employed.
*''FBI'' for ''Federal Bureau of Investigation''
*''FBI,'' for ''Federal Bureau of Investigation''
Examples of acronyms include:
Examples of acronyms include:
*''USA PATRIOT'' Act for ''Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act''
*''USA PATRIOT'' Act, for ''Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act''
*''TULIP'' for Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints (the core tenets of [[Calvinism]].
*''TULIP,'' for Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints (the core tenets of [[Calvinism]].
(The use of the word "acronym" to include initialisms as well as acronyms is imprecise, but increasingly accepted).
(The use of the word "acronym" to include initialisms as well as acronyms is imprecise, but increasingly accepted).