On the show we've cleared up the difference between an "acronym" or an "initialism" -- an acronym forms a new word whereas an initialism is just a series of initials. But there is also a third type of shorthand, one that may not have a name. When we refer to the American Automobile Association, we call it the "Triple A" (not "A-A-A" or "Ahhhhh"). Same goes for the N-DoubleA-C-P and N-C-DoubleA...
So, who better to decide on what to call this phrasing than Brian Lehrer Show's wordy listeners? Yesterday we asked for your submissions (http://tinyurl.com/aaaname), and now it's time to vote. Here are some of the names BL Show listeners have come up with. Vote for your favorite, and we'll see if we can't convince the dictionary powers that be to adopt our name!