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)':
BOFH	Definitions include: acronym for "bastard operator from hell".
ETA	Definitions include: acronym for "Estimated Time of Arrival."
POETS day	Definitions include: acronym for "piss off early, tomorrow's Saturday".
DND	Definitions include: acronym for "do not disturb".
FOS	Definitions include: acronym for "full of shit".
IMAO	Definitions include: acronym for "in my arrogant opinion".
GTFO	Definitions include: acronym for "get the fuck out", an expression of disbelief.
POS	Definitions include: acronym for "piece of shit".
LPT	Definitions include: acronym for "life protip".
AWOL	Definitions include: acronym of "absent without leave."
IBF	Definitions include: "Internet BF", i.e. "Internet Boyfriend".
AFAICS	Definitions include: acronym for "as far as I can see".
IWTFIL	Definitions include: acronym for "I want to fall in love".
NHI	Definitions include: acronym for "no humans involved".
OMGWTF	Definitions include: acronym for "on my God, what the fuck."
(show 651 more)
Other terms relating to 'computer slang':
real estate	Definitions include: any limited resource measured in units of area.
kluge	Definitions include: alternate spelling of kludge.
interweb	Definitions include: "internet."
ROFLMAO	Definitions include: acronym for "rolling on floor laughing my ass off".
FFS	Definitions include: acronym for "for fuck's sake."
IMHO	Definitions include: acronym for "in my humble opinion".
sock puppet	Definitions include: in an online community, a second account created by an account-holder.
zomg	Definitions include: "Oh my God."
IAAL	Definitions include: acronym for "I am a lawyer".
OMW	Definitions include: acronym for "on my way".
FTL	Definitions include: acronym for "For The Loss."
LPT	Definitions include: acronym for "life protip".
rig	Definitions include: a needle used to inject drugs.
QT	Definitions include: "cutie."
prly	Definitions include: "probably".
(show 548 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 65 more hide.)