Originally Posted By: Faldage
The problem arises when you're not sure if it's read as letters or as a true acronym. An example is HID (human interface device, e.g., keyboard, mouse, or track ball). Is it read as 'hid' or aitch eye dee? When I run into one of these when copy-editing an engineering report I'll try to find and example where it doesn't have the indefinite article and ask an engineer to read it to me.

That makes a lot of sense, and may prevent you from getting laughed at in the bargain. Case in point, a few years ago I was talking to a friend who is a programmer, and in the discussion I mentioned the URL, something not common in spoken conversation. I said "yurl", not "U-R-L", and he almost died laughing and falling over himself to point out that "nobody pronounces it". Who knew? Well, at least I didn't! I guess there was no room for individualism, either...

Oh, and did the engineer say "H-I-D"? I would guess s/he spelled it out.