backronym

2 definitions found

backronym - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  backronym
  
     <jargon> (Backward acronym) A word which has been turned into
     an acronym by inventing an expansion, rather than the other
     way around.  E.g. "ping".
  
     (2005-06-22)
  

backronym - Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003) :

  backronym
   n.
  
     [portmanteau of back + acronym] A word interpreted as an acronym that
     was not originally so intended. This is a special case of what
     linguists call back formation. Examples are given under recursive acronym
      (Cygnus), Acme, and mung. Discovering backronyms is a
     common form of wordplay among hackers. Compare retcon.