# Acronyms that don't stand for anything anymore **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 8, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982 "2011-03-08T23:55:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![bleibtreu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bleibtreu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bleibtreu)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982/61 "2011-03-09T20:15:03Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > GMC is a good one! I _think_ it means General Motors Commerical, as in commercial vehicles. These days, however, GMC’s are consumer vehicles, and the commercial vehicles have Chevrolet badges! General Motors, actually, purchased Rapid Motor Vehicles around the turn of the 20th century and turned it into the General Motors Truck Company. That was “streamlined” into GMC Truck. So presumably the “C” never stood for “Commerical”, but for “Company”. There are certainly still GMC-branded commercial vehicles (see [Business Doesn’t Grow by Chance. It Grows by Change.](http://www.gmfleet.com/gmc/)), generally nearly identical to an equivalent Chevrolet-branded model. Chevrolet light trucks are sold only through Chevrolet dealerships, while GMC light trucks can be sold not only the Chevy dealers but also by any other GM-related dealer. These days, with the demise of the Pontiac and Saturn brands, that leaves only Buick and Cadillac, but Saturn/GMC used to be a common combination. ---
**Author:** ![Meltdown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Meltdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meltdown)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982/62 "2011-03-09T21:42:12Z")
[Epcot](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epcot) Originally stood for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Then… > [@](#): > > The theme park originally was known as EPCOT Center to reflect the fact that the park was built to embody the ideals and values of EPCOT the city. In 1994, the name was changed to Epcot '94 and subsequently Epcot '95 a year later. By 1996, the park was known simply as Epcot, a non-acronym, mixed-case word. ---
**Author:** ![A.Gwilliam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@A.Gwilliam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.Gwilliam)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982/63 "2011-03-09T21:44:14Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > Regardless, you get the point. It was founded by British people for (at least some proportion of) British customers. But was it founded for British people **in Britain** to do business in the Far East, or was it founded for British people **in the Far East** to do business there? Anyway, that was a long time ago. I would guess that, before it acquired the Midland, HSBC was unambiguously an Asian bank (in as much as large banks “belong” to any region). Nowadays, I guess it’s perceived as a British bank **in Britain**. How it’s perceived elsewhere, though… ---
**Author:** ![AllShookDown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d9b06d/32.png) [@AllShookDown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AllShookDown)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982/64 "2011-03-09T23:59:39Z")
NABISCO - National Biscuit Company ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982/65 "2011-03-10T01:34:30Z")
> [@SimonMoon5](#): > > GSN used to be the Game Show Network. But they apparently didn’t want to be tied down to such a niche genre… which basically means they can show high stakes poker (which is a show about a game, but isn’t technically a game show). I was going to say that. Oh well, I still have **TLC**. It use to be **The Learning Channel** , of course, but since it has “19 Kids and Counting”, “Cake Boss”, “Kate + 8”, and a whole slew of non educational shows, they couldn’t call themselves that any more. ---
**Author:** ![qazwart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/5fc32e/32.png) [@qazwart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qazwart)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982/66 "2011-03-10T02:25:23Z")
No one said _ISO_ as in ISO-9000? The [International Organization of Standardization](http://www.iso.org/iso/home.html) chose the initials ISO because (sit down before you read this) _It doesn’t stand for anything in any of the member languages._ Yup, that’s right the abbreviation ISO was purposefully chosen because it doesn’t stand for anything. In English it should be IOS, in French it should be ION, and in German it should be DIN. And has anyone who has worked with ISO certification can tell you, it doesn’t stand for very much. ---
**Author:** ![Clark\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@Clark\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clark_K)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982/67 "2011-03-10T02:27:45Z")
I’d say there’s a key difference between acronyms that stand for something that is largely ignored and acronyms that _used to_ stand for something but now have become an official name. “AARP” would be an example of the latter. That is now the official name of the group that used to call itself the American Association of Retired Persons. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982/68 "2011-03-10T02:49:19Z")
> [@qazwart](#): > > Yup, that’s right the abbreviation ISO was purposefully chosen because it doesn’t stand for anything. In English it should be IOS, in French it should be ION, and in German it should be DIN. UTC is another one like that. It was chosen because it doesn’t match either of the normal acronyms in English or French. In English it should be CUT (Coordinated Universal Time) and in French TUC (temps universel coordonné). ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982/69 "2011-03-10T09:07:41Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > SAT used to be Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test, but now is the SAT Reasoning Test and since 1993, the letters **SAT** haven’t stood for anything. That reminds me, the ETS website doesn’t mention what the GRE stands for anymore, either. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982/70 "2011-03-10T09:58:35Z")
Heh, nobody mentioned M & M’s? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982/71 "2011-03-10T13:53:30Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The CN Tower. _Canadian Bacon_ not withstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982/72 "2011-03-10T16:19:44Z")
> [@Canadjun](#): > > SAS (the computer program, not the airline or the special forces). Was Statistical Analysis System. It’s now just SAS. > [@kombatminipig](#): > > It applies absolutely to Scandinavian Airlines (previously Scandinavian Air Service)… Whoops, I missed that change. Anyway they forgot to protect the name so whenever they want to start a new, say, SAS Radisson Hotel, they have to ask the computer company for permission to use it (it was like that at one time, anyway). (and BTW the full name was Scandinavian Airlines System). ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982/73 "2011-03-10T17:45:54Z")
> [@Floater](#): > > Anyway they forgot to protect the name so whenever they want to start a new, say, SAS Radisson Hotel, they have to ask the computer company for permission to use it (it was like that at one time, anyway). This statement intrigued me, but I can’t seem to find any information about it. Do you have a source? I’m a little skeptical that SAS “forgot to protect the name.” That doesn’t seem to quite fit into the way that trademark law works. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982/74 "2011-03-10T17:53:52Z")
> [@qazwart](#): > > And has anyone who has worked with ISO certification can tell you, it doesn’t stand for very much. LOL! I work with ISO specs all the time. This is very true 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982/75 "2011-03-10T18:23:39Z")
AABB Used to stand for American Association of Blood Banks. Now, the organization is officially called just AABB, and they say it doesn’t really stand for anything. 😕 ETA: Here’s what they say about it on their website: > [@](#): > > Since its inception in 1947, the association has grown to represent much more than the “American Association of Blood Banks.” The association instituted a name change in 2005 to more accurately reflect its interests and diverse membership, and is now known only by its acronym, AABB. The letters AABB are widely recognized throughout the world as a symbol of authority and distinction. The association chose to keep these letters to symbolize its strong connection to its history and roots. To help people understand who we are and what we do, AABB adopted the tag line: “Advancing Transfusion and Cellular Therapies Worldwide.” AABB remains committed to its core objectives to provide high standards of safety for patients, donors and facilities. AABB member institutions displaying the AABB accreditation logo are recognized throughout the world for providing quality products and services. From: [http://www.aabb.org/about/who/Pages/namechange.aspx](http://www.aabb.org/about/who/Pages/namechange.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982/76 "2011-03-10T20:19:15Z")
BASIC: Beginner’s All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. If you took any computer class at my high school in the early 90s, you’d know that. Our teacher guaranteed it. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982/77 "2011-03-10T20:35:23Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > That reminds me, the ETS website doesn’t mention what the GRE stands for anymore, either. It doesn’t stand for Graduate Record Exam anymore? Good to know. ---
**Author:** ![WPA-Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a6a055/32.png) [@WPA-Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WPA-Guy)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982/78 "2011-03-11T05:22:34Z")
Two German companies whose acronyms work in both German and English: BASF - Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik or Baden Aniline and Soda Factory BMW - Bayerische Motoren Werke or Bavarian Motor Works ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982/79 "2011-03-11T05:29:20Z")
> [@Spiff](#): > > AABB > > Used to stand for American Association of Blood Banks. > > Now, the organization is officially called just AABB, and they say it doesn’t really stand for anything. 😕 > > ETA: Here’s what they say about it on their website: From: [http://www.aabb.org/about/who/Pages/namechange.aspx](http://www.aabb.org/about/who/Pages/namechange.aspx) Not to be confused with either ABBA or ABB (Asea Brown Boveri). 🙂 > [@WPA-Guy](#): > > Two German companies whose acronyms work in both German and English: > > BASF - Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik or Baden Aniline and Soda Factory And for years I thought that BASF stood for Bavarian Audio Systems Foundation. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982/80 "2011-03-11T10:24:16Z")
> [@qazwart](#): > > Yup, that’s right the abbreviation ISO was purposefully chosen because it doesn’t stand for anything. In English it should be IOS, in French it should be ION, and in German it should be DIN. That’s not quite correct. In German, DIN refers to its national standards body, the _Deutsche Institut für Normung_, which is a member of ISO. ISO itself is referred to as the _Internationale Organisation für Normung_, so the acronym would be ION. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acronyms-that-dont-stand-for-anything-anymore/573982.md?page=5)