Although many believe both are
acronyms, there is a difference. An acronym is a pronounceable word
that is formed using the first letters of the words in a phrase
(sometimes, other parts of the words are also used). Some common
acronyms include NASA (National Aeronautical and Space
Administration), scuba (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing
Apparatus), and laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of
Radiation). WYSIWYG - What You See Is What You Get RAM - Random
Access Memory NAFTA - North American Free Trade Agreement WASP -
White Anglo Saxon Protestant.
An initialism is formed using the first letters of the words in a
phrase -- it is pronounced like a series of letters, not like a
word. Some common initialisms include UFO )Unidentified Flying
Object) and LOL (Laugh Out Loud). IMHO - In My Humble Opinion.
ROTC - Reserve Officers Training Corps is used both as an acronym
and initialism.