Acronyms are meant to save time, right? LOL. (That’s Laugh Out Loud… in case you live under a rock.) But lately, I’ve noticed something strange. People don’t just say the acronym—they say the acronym and what it stands for. Like, “I work in HR—Human Resources.”
Oh, thanks. I was confused for a second. I thought you were in Hamster Rodeo.
It’s even worse when it shows up in fiction. “He drew his gun, issued by the FBI—Federal Bureau of Investigation.” Great. Now I’m picturing the agent pausing mid-chase to whisper, “In case you’re wondering, that’s what FBI means.” Very intimidating.
Indeed, news anchors often have to clarify concepts like GDP or NATO. But if I’m reading a gritty thriller, I don’t want the hero turning to the camera like it’s an educational program. “We’ve got to neutralise the IED—Improvised Explosive Device!”
Yes, acronyms are clever. They help us compress information. But when you explain the shortcut every time, it’s no longer a shortcut—it’s a scenic route with commentary.
–Michael (Dark fiction. Author of SEETHINGS (the first book), free for a limited time)
Discover more from Michael Forman – Author of Dark Fiction & Drama
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