Why is 'abbreviation' such a long word?

Abbreviation a Long Word?

Abbreviation, in itself, is not an abbreviation, so obviously it is not going to be small, and concise, but more of a broad word. Obviously, many words in the English language derive from Latin words, or are similar to Latin words: thus, the long word "abbreviation" starts from the short word 'brevis' meaning 'brief'. Now try to answer that for "antidisestablishmentarianism"

This is like Carlin's "Why is infinitesimal such a long word?" [minor edit]

Why is 'eternal' shorter than 'momentary'?

...and 'eon' shorter than 'nanosecond'?

How is it possible to read the word 'invisible'?

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ANSWER:

I know what you mean. Every time I finish spelling abbreviation I feel like I'm saying goodbye to an old friend. I've felt affection for shorter words, but it's the long ones that are so involving and require the kind of investment you could only make for an old friend. I can understand if you don't care much for abbreviation, as the word is long but sort of meaningless in a condensed sort of way, but surely there must some long word you like. How about constitutionalism? That's a long word that people can get behind. What about ethnocentricity? I don't really know what it means but it sounds cool and it's pretty damn long for a word. Just a thought.

ANSWER:

cuz it aint an abbreviation. just say abb.

--- --- or possibly --- ---

Abbreviation is as long as it needs to be to be abbreviated to abbr.

Short words don't tend to get abbreviated. I think I is somewhat fitting that the _word_ for 'shortened' can be shortened, and still be understood.

First answer by ID2735428367. Last edit by Maxiogee. Contributor trust: 40 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 84 [recommend question]