Rules for the Acronym

I get a little annoyed when I see a REALLY REALLY complicated acronym. When they get REALLY REALLY cute, they seem little more than contrived.

I was reading a paper today (shut up, yes, reading...a paper.) and came across a group called "S.I.S.T.A.H". This is an acronym for the group that is for "Sistahs in Search of Truth Alliance and Harmony." If this acroym stood for a group that broke laws it would be perfect, because it annoyingly breaks many acronym rules. First of all, I think it's a giant faux pas to use the acronym word in the acronym. That's like saying C.A.P.T.A.I.N.H.A.P. is an acronym for "Captain And Pirate That Always Intrigues Neighbors Happily Although Painfully." There are so many words in the English language, if the group can't find another word that has a similar meaning then that group is quite simply lazy. I want to call that cheating, and I will.

Rule #1: It is cheating to use the acronym word in the acronym

I'm sure I'm not against this group in terms of what they do, but in truth I'm also not quite sure what they do. The words they've chosen are a little cliche, a little trite, and painfully general. Truth, alliance, and harmony. Hm, this organization is for truth? Really? The organization isn't based on lies and proud of it? That's unique. It seems like they could call the group "Knitting Club" and it would be the same thing. BUT I don't know! That's the point! Look at NAFTA, a GREAT acronym. One of my favorites, not for what it's for, but because of the clear consise nature of it's acronym. NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT. I totally understand what that is. I'm also a poly-sci minor, so I could be bias, but who really knows.

Rule #2: The Acronym must represent something clearly or I will punch it.

There are two kinds of words in our language. Primary words with meaning and the proverbial connective tissue between those words, I call them tertiary words. English professors do not. The two exist in harmony, and that's fine. But it annoys the piss out of me when acronyms use some tertiary words as letters and some they just ignore. The words And, In and Of are used in our current example. These are all heavy hitters in the the world of connective words, two prepositions and a conjunction. Yet, they've only used one to make their precious acronym work. I know it's yours to create, but consistancy must be held in a respectable acronym.

Rule #3: As in baking, consistancy is key for total success in Acronym creation.