Return-Path: Received: from Netcom by corp.netcom.net.uk (8.8.8/8.8.8) with SMTP id NAA22965; Fri, 26 Mar 1999 13:48:20 GMT Sender: fred Message-ID: <36FB9128.5EE74C97@corp.netcom.net.uk> Date: Fri, 26 Mar 1999 13:52:40 +0000 From: Fred Read X-Mailer: Mozilla 3.04Gold (X11; I; Linux 2.0.36 i686) MIME-Version: 1.0 To: Micheal Mc Evoy Subject: Re: References: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Micheal Mc Evoy wrote: > > My understanding is tht SQL (pronounced SEQUEL) is a offspring of > an experimental/early daabase language called SEQUEL. > > As a historical note: I began using SQL in 1985, EVERYONE that > I knew, from database programmers to Comp Sci instructors, all > pronounced it SEQUEL. > > BTW, SCSI (pronounced SCUZZY) was suppose to be pronounced SEXY, > or at least the marketdroids wanted that pronunciation. > Most accronyms are pronounced, not spelled out. At least in the > language that is the most confusing - American English. I agree with you there Micheal, but according to my dictionary, an acronyn is: "a word, pronounced as such, formed from the initials of other words eg: LASER, RADAR etc." and as SQL is just a set of initials like CPU, FTP, UPS, TTL, FPU etc. it should be spelt out. You seem to be assuming ALL sets of initials are acronyms but this is not the case. If you check a dictionary you will find an acronym is actually a *pronouncable* word formed from the initials of other words [eg: LASER] - if they doesn't make a word they are just initials! Interestingly enough though UPS [the Uninteruptable Power Supply or the company] *COULD* be pronounced as a word but I have never seen [heard?] it done - it is always "You Pee Ess". BTW [not an acronym], did you check out the URL [also not an acronym] I gave in my earlier message? "http://www.mysql.com/Manual/manual.html#IDX2" It says: "The official way to pronounce MySQL is "My Ess Que Ell" (Not MY-SEQUEL)." -- If it ain't opinionated, it ain't Rich Teer.