<p><pre><code>    &gt; Hyperpedantically, &quot;SQL&quot; is an initialism, but not an
    &gt; acronym
</code></pre>
I really wish people would stop posting this - I feel like I only ever see it posted here, too.<p>OED&#x27;s first entry on &quot;acronym, n&quot;:<p><pre><code>    &gt; A group of initial letters used as an abbreviation for 
    &gt; a name or expression, each letter or part being
    &gt; pronounced separately; an initialism (such as ATM, TLS)
</code></pre>
OED&#x27;s second entry on &quot;acronym, n&quot;:<p><pre><code>    &gt;  A word formed from the initial letters of other words
    &gt; or (occas.) from the initial parts of syllables taken 
    &gt; from other words, the whole being pronounced as a single
    &gt; word (such as NATO, RADA)
</code></pre>
OED&#x27;s entry on &quot;initialism, n&quot;:<p><pre><code>    &gt; The use of initials; a significative group of initial
    &gt; letters. Now spec. a group of initial letters used as
    &gt; an abbreviation for a name or expression, each letter
    &gt; or part being pronounced separately
</code></pre>
SQL is both an acronym and an initialism. The Wikipedia article on &quot;initialism&quot; it is guilty of using very selective quotes in its &quot;citation&quot;.