reverse acronyming

[Baker, John]

        For a particularly tortuous example, consider the recently-passed
Public Law 107-56, entitled the "Uniting and Strengthening America by
Providing Appropriate Tools Required to
Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001."  The
statute is also notable for including its acronym as part of its title.

        I support President Bush's efforts in the war on terrorism.  In
terms of getting its message out, though, this administration seems to have
a tin ear.  I'm thinking here of "crusade" and "Operation Infinite Justice"
as well as this example.

John Baker

> -----Original Message-----
> From: George Thompson [SMTP:george.thompson at NYU.EDU]
> Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2001 10:51 AM
> To:   ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> Subject:      Re: reverse acronyming
>
> There is also the practice of contriving a tortuous name for an
> organization, so that its acronym will be appropriate: Herpetologists
> for Endangered Lizards and Pythons, perhaps.
>
> GAT
>
>
> George A. Thompson
> Author of A Documentary History of "The African
> Theatre", Northwestern Univ. Pr., 1998.
>