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OP Originally Posted By: FaldageThe 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.
Entire Thread Subject Posted By Posted a vs an twosleepy 02/08/11 03:54 PM Re: a vs an tsuwm 02/08/11 04:21 PM Re: a vs an LukeJavan8 02/08/11 04:23 PM Re: a vs an Faldage 02/09/11 12:35 AM Re: a vs an Avy 02/09/11 12:42 AM Re: a vs an Jackie 02/09/11 01:49 AM Re: a vs an LukeJavan8 02/09/11 04:08 PM Re: a vs an twosleepy 02/09/11 05:17 PM Re: a vs an LukeJavan8 02/09/11 06:30 PM Re: a vs an Faldage 02/10/11 12:14 AM Re: a vs an Buffalo Shrdlu 02/10/11 12:40 AM Re: a vs an Avy 02/10/11 12:49 AM Re: a vs an zmjezhd 02/10/11 01:52 PM Re: a vs an LukeJavan8 02/10/11 03:56 PM Re: a vs an Avy 02/11/11 01:19 AM Re: a vs an LukeJavan8 02/11/11 02:44 AM Re: a vs an twosleepy 02/10/11 05:51 PM Re: a vs an tsuwm 02/10/11 06:06 PM Re: a vs an LukeJavan8 02/10/11 06:10 PM Re: a vs an Buffalo Shrdlu 02/11/11 06:35 PM Re: a vs an twosleepy 02/11/11 07:23 PM Re: a vs an LukeJavan8 02/11/11 11:28 PM Re: a vs an Faldage 02/12/11 12:09 AM Re: a vs an twosleepy 02/12/11 05:57 AM
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