It is not uncommon for acronyms to be cited in a kind of [[false etymology]] called a [[folk etymology]] for a word. Such etymologies persist in popular culture but have no scholarly basis in [[historical linguistics]], and are examples of language-related [[urban legend]]s. For example, ''cop'' is commonly cited as being supposedly derived from "constable on patrol," ''posh'' from "port out starboard home", and ''golf'' from "gentlemen only, ladies forbidden". Taboo words in particular commonly have such false etymologies: ''shit'' from "ship high in transit" and ''fuck'' from "for unlawful carnal knowledge." | It is not uncommon for acronyms to be cited in a kind of [[false etymology]] called a [[folk etymology]] for a word. Such etymologies persist in popular culture but have no scholarly basis in [[historical linguistics]], and are examples of language-related [[urban legend]]s. For example, ''cop'' is commonly cited as being supposedly derived from "constable on patrol," ''posh'' from "port out starboard home", and ''golf'' from "gentlemen only, ladies forbidden". Taboo words in particular commonly have such false etymologies: ''shit'' from "ship high in transit" and ''fuck'' from "for unlawful carnal knowledge." |