VOCABULARY: “backronym” — the word was picked first, then an acronym written to fit it

http://www.rd.com/culture/common-acronyms/

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The USA PATRIOT Act stands for Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (seriously). Linguists call this a “backronym”—the word “Patriot” was likely picked first, then an acronym written to fit it.

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