Acronyms are words formed from the initial components of longer phrases, often using first letters or syllables. They can be pronounced as words, individual letters, or a combination of both. The document provides examples of various acronyms and their meanings, such as NATO, scuba, and SMART.

1. ACRONYMS

2. What are acronyms
• An acronym is a word or name formed from the initial
components of a longer name or phrase. Acronyms are usually
formed from the first letters of words, as in NATO (North
Atlantic Treaty Organization), but sometimes use syllables, as in
Benelux (short for Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg).
They can also be a mixture, as in radar (Radio Detection And
Ranging).

3. Different kinds of acronyms
• Acronyms can be pronounced as words, like NASA and
UNESCO
• as individual letters, like FBI, TNT, and ATM
• or as both letters and words, like JPEG (pronounced JAY-peg)
and IUPAC (aIyoUPAC).

4. Examples of acronyms
• NATO: "North Atlantic Treaty Organization"
• Scuba: "self-contained underwater breathing apparatus"
• Laser: "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation"
• GIF: "graphics interchange format“
• KISS (Kiss) "Keep it simple, stupid", a design principle preferring simplicity
• SMART (Smart) "Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Realistic, Time-related", A principle of setting of goals and objectives
• FAST (Fast) "Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, Time", helps detect and enhance responsiveness to the
needs of a person having a stroke
• DRY (Dry) "Don't repeat yourself", A principle of software development aimed at reducing repetition of software patterns
• SAMPLE (Sample) "Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past Pertinent medical history, Last Oral Intake, Events
Leading Up To Present Illness", to remember key questions for a person's medical assessment

5. FIT THE ACRONYM IN THE LEFT COLUMN WITH THE MEANING IN THE RIGHT COLUMN
AWOL South African Coal and Oil
RIP Special Weapons and Tactics
ASAP Sea Air Land
POTUS Absent Without Official Leave
NASA Rest In Peace
UNESCO Thomas A. Swift’s Electric Rifle
SASOL As Soon As Possible
IMAX United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization
PIN National Aeronautics and Space Administration
SMART President Of The United States
TASER Image Maximum
SEAL Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Realistic, Time
management
SWAT Personal Identification Number