This inquiry began w/ the assertion that "acronym" is not the
right
word.
Your definition is correct, but ACLU and MLA are not "words,"
that is,
you
don't say them phonetically, which seems to be the criterion
of an
acronym
(M.A.D.D., U.N.C.L.E., NATO, NAMBLA, Nabisco [from National
Biscuit
Company], etc.). Unless you call the ACLU "ack-loo."
If you can get a civil libertarian to answer to 'ack-loo'
than you can
probably call a Republican a 'gop' and a member of the AKC an
'oxsee'.
But like some said, back to detectives. Perhaps an off-list
contest for
the best and most unpronounceable acronym, the prize being a
mouthful of
pebbles to practice with.
-- Dick
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