Real Meanings Of These 20 Acronyms You Didn’t Know About!
(Photo by Stephen Chernin/Getty Images)
Acronyms are all around us, but do we actually know what they mean??
All these acronyms we see every day, and we don’t give a second thought about them. So, what do they actually stand for??
Here are 20 acronyms and their meanings!
- CVS – When it was founded in 1963, CVS originally stood for Consumer Value Stores. At that time, it sold health and beauty products. Only in 1967 did CVS begin operating locations with pharmacy departments. In 1969, CVS was sold to Melville Corporation, and in 1996, it became “CVS Corporation.”
- M&M’s – M&M’s stands for Mars & Murrie’s, referring to founders Forrest Mars, Sr. and Bruce Murrie.
- TCBY – TCBY stands for The Country’s Best Yogurt. It used to mean This Can’t Be Yogurt, but they were sued by the rival frozen yogurt chain I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt!, which was founded four years before TCBY.
- Kmart – Kmart is not, in fact, a place to shop for K’s. The K is for Kresge, as in founder Sebastian S. Kresge.
- JCPenney – JCPenney was founded by James Cash Penney. With a name like that, he was destined to go into the world of business.
- Taser – The name TASER comes from Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle, a 1911 science fiction novel by Victor Appleton that imagined an electric gun. The device from the book was the inspiration for the real-life TASER.
- Smart Car – A collaboration between Swatch and Mercedes, the “smart” in a smart car is short for Swatch Mercedes Art.
- ZIP Code – The “ZIP” stands for Zone Improvement Plan.
- EOS – You might know eos as the cosmetic company that makes those delightful spherical lip balms. The name is short for Evolution of Smooth.
- MAC – MAC (stylized as M·A·C) stands for Make-up Art Cosmetics (saying MAC Cosmetics is technically redundant). It was founded by makeup artist and photographer Frank Toskan and salon owner Frank Angelo with the goal of creating cosmetics that photographed well.
- H&M – The company started in 1947 as women’s fashion retailer Hennes, Swedish for “Hers.” In 1968, they acquired hunting apparel and fishing equipment retailer Mauritz Widforss and the name became Hennes & Mauritz. In 1974, it was simplified to just H&M.
- GEICO -GEICO stands for Government Employees Insurance Company. Why? When GEICO first started, it was targeted to U.S. government employees and military personnel.
- DHL – The shipping and transportation company was christened after the last names of the founders: Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom, and Robert Lynn.
- JBL – The speaker company was founded by James B. Lansing, and its full name was James B. Lansing Sound, Incorporated. After a legal dispute about their name, the company decided to go by “JBL.”
- ELF – This makeup brand’s name isn’t referring to the mythical creature—e.l.f. is an acronym for eyes, lips, face.
- AFLAC – The American Family Life Insurance Company of Columbus was founded in 1955, later altering the name to the American Family Life Assurance Company, and the acronym Aflac was adopted in 1989.
- OPI – Nail polish brand OPI (stylized as O·P·I) was originally founded as dental supply Odontorium Products Inc. The company’s CEO made the switch when he realized that their dental acrylics were being used in the manicure industry.
- H&R Block – The tax preparation company was founded by brothers Henry W. Bloch and Richard Bloch.
- UNICEF – UNICEF = United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund. As its mandate changed, it became the United Nations Children’s Fund.
- BJs – The “BJ” in BJ’s Wholesale Club refers to Beverly Jean Weich, the daughter of Mervyn Weich, the company’s first president.
Well, I didn’t know what a lot of these stood for. Some even had some historical significance with the acronyms standing for the founders’ name.
Tweet Us!! @themrlshow Which acronyms really surprised you??
Intern / Lynleigh Betchan – The MRL Morning Show
Make Sure You're Signed Up For The Kiss & Tell Newsletter
Get the latest celebrity and music buzz find out what's happening in Charlotte, plus exclusive contests, and more!
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.