Definition of backronym

backronym

noun

a word that has come to be an acronym (or is viewed by some as an acronym) when it was not originally an acronym.

Slang examples include "SHIT" meaning "ship high in transit", "PHAT" meaning "pretty hot and tempting", etc.

"Backronym" is itself an acronym, being "back" + "acronym".
- See more words with the same meaning: acronyms (list of).
- See more words with the same meaning: computer slang.
Last edited on Feb 11 2013. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Aug 14 2009.

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Related words

Slang terms with the same meaning

Other terms relating to 'acronyms (list of)':
kthnxbai	Definitions include: "okay, thanks, bye."
PM	Definitions include: acronym for "private message".
FRED	Definitions include: acronym for "fucking ridiculous economic disaster", a nickname for the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy aircraft.
JOOC	Definitions include: acronym for "just out of curiosity".
WTMI	Definitions include: acronym for "way TMI", i.e. "way too much information".
hw	Definitions include: "homework."
EOF	Definitions include: acronym for "end of file".
TYSM	Definitions include: acronym for "thank you so much".
h8t	Definitions include: "hate".
NSS	Definitions include: acronym for "no shit, Sherlock".
LTR	Definitions include: acronym for "long-term relationship."
b/c	Definitions include: acronym for "because".
MRW	Definitions include: acronym for "my reaction when".
S/O	Definitions include: acronym for shout-out.
gimp	Definitions include: a stupid person; "moron"; "idiot".
(show 660 more)
Other terms relating to 'computer slang':
BRT	Definitions include: acronym for "be right there".
nuke	Definitions include: to cook something in the microwave.
IANAMD	Definitions include: acronym for "I am not a medical doctor".
hack together	Definitions include: to hack, with the result being something quickly and sloppily created, or modified to solve a particular problem.
system	Definitions include: a computer system.
AFAICR	Definitions include: acronym for "as far as I can recall" or "as far as I can remember".
compooter	Definitions include: a computer that malfunctions frequently.
TBH	Definitions include: "to be honest".
JFC	Definitions include: acronym for "Jesus Fucking Christ".
IIRC	Definitions include: acronym for "if I recall correctly."
wall time	Definitions include: the "real world" time of day - i.e. the time of day displayed by the clock on the wall - rather than other measures of time, such as a computer's current uptime.
tech	Definitions include: "technology".
spyware	Definitions include: software that lets third parties monitor a user's activities and personal data.
YHBT	Definitions include: acronym for "you have been trolled", i.e. you have fallen victim to an internet troll.
clobber	Definitions include: to strike a heavy blow.
(show 554 more)

Slang terms with the same root words

Other terms relating to 'acronym':
TLA	Definitions include: acronym for "three-letter acronym".
Other terms relating to 'back':
back	Definitions include: large buttocks.
back 40	Definitions include: wild or rough terrain adjacent to a developed area.
*back sswards**	Definitions include: done or performed incorrectly, strangely, opposite from the correct way, or clumsily; "backwards".
back at the ranch	Definitions include: exclamation useful when the conversation is going off tangent.
back at you	Definitions include: and the same to you.
back door	Definitions include: the anus.
back door man	Definitions include: the man who a cheating spouse sees on the side.
back-door trots, the	Definitions include: horrendous diarrhea.
back end	Definitions include: the anus.
back forty	Definitions include: a place that is far away.
back in the day	Definitions include: at some time before the present.
back in the saddle	Definitions include: having resumed an activity that one had previously stopped performing.
back off	Definitions include: large buttocks.
back one out	Definitions include: to defecate; "poop".
back on (one's) feet	Definitions include: doing better after an unfavorable event.
(show 66 more hide.)