A Three-Letter Acronym (TLA) refers to an abbreviation formed from the initial letters of a phrase where each of these letters is pronounced individually. For example, "CPU" for Central Processing Unit, "FBI" for Federal Bureau of Investigation, and "USA" for United States of America are all TLAs. See [[Thue's Theorem]]. TLAs are a common form of shorthand in many fields, including business, technology, and government, as they provide a quick and efficient way to refer to complex terms, organizations, or processes. The widespread use of TLAs can sometimes lead to confusion, especially when the same acronym can stand for multiple things depending on the context. For instance, "RAM" could mean Random Access Memory in a computing context or Rheumatoid Arthritis Medication in a medical context. In practice, TLAs are a type of acronym, which is a broader category that also includes abbreviations that are pronounced as words (like NASA or NATO). The specific use of three letters is particularly notable due to its commonality, making TLAs a significant component of modern communication, especially in professional and technical environments. # References ```dataview Table title as Title, authors as Authors where contains(subject, "Three-Letter Acronym") or contains(subject, "TLA") or contains(subject, "Three Circles") sort modified desc, authors, title ```