backronym

or bac·ro·nym

[ bak-ruh-nim ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

an existing word turned into an acronym by creating an apt phrase whose initial letters match the word, as to help remember it or offer a theory of its origin. For example, rap has been said to be a backronym of “rhythm and poetry.”
the phrase itself. For example, “port out, starboard home” is a misleading backronym for posh .

First recorded in 1980–85; back ¹( def ) + (ac)ronym ( def )

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