# CPAP acronym error?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-acronym-error/577753>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [April 9, 2011, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-acronym-error/577753 "2011-04-09T03:21:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Taeran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f04885/32.png) [@Taeran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taeran)\
**Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-acronym-error/577753/1 "2011-04-09T03:21:09Z")

</div>

Just regarding the “Why does my body jerk when I’m falling asleep” article [found here](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/605/why-does-my-body-jerk-when-im-falling-asleep), there may have been some creative license taken with the CPAP acronym, described in the article as a “constant pressure air pump”.

CPAP actually stands for what it does: “Continuous Positive Airway Pressure”.

Cheers

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\
**Post date:** [April 9, 2011, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-acronym-error/577753/2 "2011-04-09T20:39:02Z")

</div>

Thanks!

Reported to the proper higher-ups. I have a feeling that Cecil will be slapping some flunkies when your correction hits.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2011, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpap-acronym-error/577753/3 "2011-04-12T00:07:36Z")

</div>

Fixed. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.