13 chapters across the catalog
Obesity Redefinition, Adiposity-Based Chronic Disease
Medical professionals are calling for obesity to be renamed "adiposity-based chronic disease" to reduce stigma and improve treatment. A separate historical note clarifies that the word "Pride" was originally an acronym for "Personal Rights in Defense and Education," established in Los Angeles in the late 1950s.
Christine Wormuth, Secretary of the Army Confirmation
During her confirmation hearing for Secretary of the Army, Christine Wormuth is questioned by Senator Tom Cotton about the naming of military equipment. Cotton argues that soldiers are motivated by names like "Bradley" or "Abrams" rather than unpronounceable bureaucratic acronyms. Wormuth's academic and professional background is briefly reviewed.
A shadowy 501(c)(3) group called "Acronym" has launched a $75 million ad campaign to support Democratic candidates. While the primary donors remain anonymous, its affiliated PAC, "Pacronym," has received funding from George Soros, Eric Holder's redistricting committee, and the Dollar Shave Club.
The ever-expanding LGBTQ+ acronym was discussed in an interview with Fiona Patten of Australia's Reason Party. Patten suggested that the complexity of the acronym has led some to adopt the term "rainbow community" or "rainbow family" to be more inclusive without adding more letters. The discussion also touched on the irony of vocal anti-gay figures often having private lives that contradict their public stances.
The hosts highlight a new descriptive phrase used on NPR: "Non-stop chaos scandal outrage machine." They attempt to turn the phrase into an acronym (NSCCOM) and discuss how the media uses such repetitive descriptors to frame the public's perception of the administration's daily activities.
A recording of an Air Force helpline demonstrates the military's heavy reliance on complex acronyms and abbreviations for its various computer systems. The menu options include references to ACES, IWIMS, TMIP, and LOGMOD, among others. The segment highlights the specialized language used within the Department of Defense.
The evolving LGBTQ acronym has reportedly expanded to include a "K" for "Kink." This addition specifically identifies a group within the community that associates with bondage and specific subcultures, further lengthening the social identity string to LGBTQQIAAPK.
John C. Dvorak shares a "fun fact" that the name "Taser" is an acronym for "Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle." The inventor, Jack Cover, named the device after his favorite childhood science fiction character, Tom Swift. Dvorak notes that he has read all the Tom Swift books, though he remains skeptical of some "reverse-engineered" etymologies.
A new, highly expanded acronym for gender and sexual identity has surfaced in a poster from the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, Canada. The acronym, "L-G-G-B-D-T-T-T-I-Q-Q-A-A-P-P," includes terms such as "Two-Spirit," "Demisexual," and "Polyamorous." The hosts discuss the absurdity of the ever-growing list and the seriousness with which it is being implemented in educational training.
LGBTQQIAAP Acronym, Gender Non-Conforming, Adrienne Wu
Fashion designer Adrienne Wu argues in a Huffington Post interview that the LGBT acronym is outdated and should be replaced by "LGBTQQIAAP." The new acronym is intended to include gender non-conforming and non-binary individuals who have historically been left out of the discussion.
The evolution of the LGBTQ+ acronym is discussed, noting the addition of "Q" for queer or questioning. A new proposed American flag design is mentioned, which replaces the traditional stars and stripes with rainbow colors and 50 stars in a blue inset.
The name "Taser" is an acronym for "Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle," named by inventor Jack Cover after his favorite science fiction character. The hosts debate the validity of this factoid, questioning if the name was reverse-engineered to fit the acronym.
An interview at a Sydney event explores the evolution of the LGBTQI acronym and the push for marriage equality in Australia. The subject, Sam, explains that the long acronym is necessary to represent the disparate experiences of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people, intersex individuals, and those who identify as queer. The segment addresses the difficulty of finding a single inclusive term for the community.
