IAtionary: Acronym

Ac-ro-nym /ˈækrənɪm/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ak-ruh-nim] n.

1. A phrase that has been shortened by excluding all information except the first letter of each word
2. A system relying solely of the former knowledge of the recipient; fails completely when this familiarity is absent
3. A way of describing something that, although sometimes easier for the sender, makes the reciver's job nearly impossible; Note: If an acronym contains a 'w,' it runs the risk of making both jobs more complex; i.e. www
4. A system for which the IBO is partly responsible that serves to make life at the IA more difficult; although many students have tried to solve the problem, they failed due to resistance from the PTIA, CAS coordinators, EE examiners, SCUBA diving instructors (among them MR. E), the PT IAMHSC, teachers in favor of BB use, some students with GPA's of 3.5 and above, the coordinators of IFAF, and members of BwB, IASA, MSA, SADD, SHH, SOS, PAWS, NHS, MUN, MESA, GTM, GHS, FBLA, FHS, FSA BSA, and UFO, all arguing that these acronyms do not complicate things a bit


A reference for those readers unaware of the meanings of some acronyms used (see #2):

IBO- International Baccalaureate Organization
IA- If you don't know this one, why are you here?
PTIA- Parents & Teachers of the IA
CAS- Community, Action, Service
EE- Extended Essay
SCUBA- Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus
Mr. E- Mr. Eschrich, IA Econ teacher
PT- Product Team
IAMHSC- IA Michigan Humane Society Connection
BB- Blackboard
GPA- Grade Point Average
IFAF- International Fine Arts Festival
BwB- Building with Books
IASA- Indian-American Student Association
MSA- Muslim Student Association
SADD- Students Against Drunk Driving
SHH- Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (Spanish Honor Society)
SOS- Save Our Species
PAWS- Preserving Animal Welfare Society
NHS- National Honor Society
MUN- Model United Nations
MESA- Middle Eastern Student Association
GTM- Global Trade Mission
GHS- German Honor Society
FBLA- Future Business Leaders of America
FHS- French Honor Society
FSA- Female Student Association
BSA- Black Student Association
UFO- Ultimate Frisbee Organization