Wait- people actually SAY "DTLA"???

[timtemtym]

There was an article today in the Phoenix newspaper about "DTPHX" Now they're ripping that off!

[bpeeps]

Originally Posted by CA4Now

It's not an acronym unless the initials are blended phonetically as a new word (e.g. NATO).

Acronyms are not the same thing as abbreviations. NATO is an acronym, DTLA is an abbreviation.

[steven_h]

Originally Posted by Gurbie

An article in the LAT discussed the rise in popularity of the initials "DTLA" as a handy abbreviation for downtown Los Angeles. I get that, and I'm on board. I use it all the time- in PRINT.

But the article quotes a guy who lives in DTLA saying he uses the acronym in "daily speech". And the piece implies this is becoming common practice:

In an emerging downtown, 'DTLA' makes strong initial impression - LA Times

That can't be right... can it? People don't actually SAY "Dee-Tee-El-Ay", do they?

I've never heard anyone say that. They either say downtown or LA.

Maybe it's something about being born here vs. migrating here... shrug

[kcimos]

hmmm lets see:
"down town ell ay"
vs
"dee Tee ell ay"
yes DTLA is much easier to pronounce since it only has 4 syllables compared to the 4 syllables in "downtown LA". (not)
but also DTLA sounds so much cooler. (not)
how about
"deeteelah" as in "lah dee dah"

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by bpeeps

Acronyms are not the same thing as abbreviations. NATO is an acronym, DTLA is an abbreviation.

My response was to this post:

The general rule should be if it doesn't cut down on the number of syllables then don't use it. DTLA = DownTownLA. Then again, I hate all acronyms for places.