Word Smithers

When not sure of the meaning of a word, try taking it apart.

   The word "acronym" has been enjoying wider usage, and has been applied to any set of initials. But the word itself is derived from two Greek components, acro- as in high, and -nym as in name or word. Thus, "high word," or a word formed by using capital letters, or the initial letters of a phrase. Examples include "radar," from Radio Direction And Ranging, or "laser," from Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. NATO is another, formed from North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
   In brief, if you can pronounce it as a word, it's an acronym. If not, it's a set of initials. IBM, CIA, and FBI are not acronyms, since you cannot pronounce them as words.
   And while it's true that some more recent dictionaries may recognize the use of acronym in referring to just a set of initials, it's good to keep in mind that some dictionaries function more as history books, describing what people say, rather than as law books, which stipulate what people should say.
   Meanwhile, use acronym if you can pronounce the initials as a word. If not, don't.

   A question came in about the use of the word "gingerly." It refers to something being done cautiously and carefully. It has little to do with ginger, the spice, unless you feel that a little goes a long way, and the spice is to be used cautiously.
   Some words become suddenly popular and are fads, finding their way into nearly every conversation and news report. Such a word is "iconic." Properly used, it refers to something that is a prime example of a set, or is one of a kind and easily recognized. Recently, news reporters have been using "iconic" every time they report on anything that is easily recognized, even if it's not very attractive.
   Another is the weather forecasters' fascination with "nor'-easter," to refer to any storm of consequence coming out of the northeast. And we are suddenly overwhelmed with products that are "artisanal," as if every product on the shelf is hand-crafted by artisans. I don't think so.

   News writers have fallen for the military's reference to opposing forces as "fighters," rather than as "soldiers," and to their bombs as "improvised explosive devices." It seems the military feels that using other terms somehow diminishes the legitimacy of the people and their weapons and tactics.
   Remember, one man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter. The British government in the 18th Century referred to General Washington's army as rebels, not soldiers. Similarly, in the early 20th Century, rebels in Ireland were known as terrorists, but to the Irish they were freedom fighters.