We all use shorthand to communicate, even if it’s technically incorrect. That’s what fascinates me about language. Whether it’s the grammar police or people who have a pet peeve about things they perceive to be an accurate or wrong, the reality is that usage prevails over perceived correctness. Even if it makes your heart palpitate or your left eye twitch. 

Lately, I’ve been biding my time and waiting. The other day, a self-appointed guardian of the imaginary rules of English stepped in it. 

“F.B.I.  is not an acronym. We describe it as an acronym but that’s not actually correct.”

“What? Of course it is. What are you talking about?”

“An acronym is pronounced as a word in and of itself, like ‘I.C.E.’ If you don’t pronounce the first letters in totality as a word, it is an initialism.”

Silence and confusion. 

“That’s a technicality. Everyone knows what we mean when we call it an acronym.”

I smiled, a tiger trap of acknowledgment. 

“Duh. That’s exactly how the rest of the world feels when you correct them. They’re communicating, not writing  a thesis.”

“If I was interested…”

I cut them off, making a slashing motion with my hand. “That’s a violation. Improper use of the subjunctive.”

I didn’t even get the chance to say goodbye as the person walked away.

I should have axed them if they wanted to go get an expresso with me. I could of, but I didn’t feel like being pacific about it. 

¡Viva el caos!

X

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