Backronym

1 definition found

From Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001) [jargon]:

  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 {BASIC},
     {recursive acronym} (Cygnus), {Acme}, and {mung}. Discovering backronyms
     is a common form of wordplay among hackers. Compare {retcon}.