History FunWithAcronyms / LiveActionTV

** GUTS: '''G'''lobal '''U'''nlimited '''T'''ask '''S'''quad from both ''Series/UltramanTiga'' and ''Series/UltramanDyna''. The latter adds '''S'''uper to make S-GUTS or "Super GUTS".

** GUYS or '''G'''uards for '''U'''tilit'''Y''' '''S'''ituation from ''Series/UltramanMebius''. Which then takes it a step further with their '''M'''uch '''E'''xtreme '''T'''echnology of '''E'''xtraterrestrial '''OR'''igin equipment (METEOR).

** XIO and UNVER: '''X'''eno '''i'''nvasion '''o'''utcutters and '''U'''ltimate '''N'''oxious event '''V'''ersus '''E'''arth '''R'''anger from ''Series/UltramanX''.
** SSP and VTL: '''S'''omething '''S'''earch '''P'''eople and '''V'''ersatile '''T'''actical '''L'''eader from ''Series/UltramanOrb''. (The SSP, however, is only a paranormal investigation blog and not a defense force.)

** STORAGE: '''S'''pecial '''T'''actical '''O'''perations '''R'''egimental '''A'''irborne and '''G'''round '''E'''quipment in ''Series/UltramanZ''.

* The first movie of Brazilian group Casseta & Planeta: an anarchist is trying to name his group. First option goes "PIROC" (something like "PRIC" - "No, not that! Who'll want to get into the PRIC?!"). The following two, "METE" and "CHUPA" ("put in" and "suck"), are only liked by their depraved hostage. So he decides to put something that would encompass each member of the group - '''P'''arty '''A'''narcho-'''N'''ationalist '''A'''nti-meat (a radical vegetarian) '''C'''arlos (surname of the other guy) - '''PANAC''', which with an "a" at the end would be "dork" in Portuguese (the hostage thought it fit the group perfectly!).

* ''Series/FullHouse'' had Jodie Sweetin appearing in a ''No Smoking'' PSA in which it goes by the name of '''D'''onna Jo '''IS''' '''C'''lueless, '''A'''nnoying, '''R'''ude and '''D'''umb (often known as DISCARD), whom her big sister, DJ (Candace Cameron), smokes in college.

** In [[Recap/DoctorWhoS24E4Dragonfire "Dragonfire"]], the "ANT" in the ANT hunt stands for ('''A'''ggressive '''N'''on-'''T'''errestrial.

-->'''Shaun''': Uh, "Drive in, drive out"?\\

* In one episode of ''Series/LastOfTheSummerWine'', Howard, in one of his ploys to be with Marina, he created a fake club (which he claimed Clegg started) called the "'''O'''utdoor '''A'''ctivities '''F'''ellowship". He didn't realize what the acronym was until Clegg pointed it out, saying that it was a very fitting badge for him to wear.

** Averted in ''Series/UltramanRB'', which not only lacks a team acronym but is one of the few ''Ultraman'' works without any official support team at all. However, "R/B" itself is part of the name of most of the heroes' gear, and it stands for Ultramen '''R'''osso and '''B'''lu, the series' leads.

** MYDO: '''M'''ysterious '''Y'''onder '''D'''efense '''O'''rganization from the movie ''Ultraman Zearth''.

** WINR: '''W'''orldwide '''I'''nvestigation '''N'''etwork '''R'''esponse (pronounced as ''Winner'') from ''Series/UltramanTheUltimateHero'' (aka Ultraman Powered).
** ''Series/UltramanTiga'' and ''Series/UltramanDyna'' both share '''G'''lobal '''U'''nlimited '''T'''ask '''S'''quad (GUTS), on the latter, it adds '''S'''uper to make S-GUTS or "Super GUTS".
** ''Series/UltramanGaia'' has '''G'''lobalcentric '''U'''niversal '''A'''lliance against the '''R'''adical '''D'''estruction, which has a branch call e'''X'''panded '''I'''nterceptive '''G'''uards (GUARD and XIG).

** '''X'''eno '''i'''nvasion '''o'''utcutters and '''U'''ltimate '''N'''oxious event '''V'''ersus '''E'''arth '''R'''anger from ''Series/UltramanX'' (XIO and UNVER).
** '''S'''omething '''S'''earch '''P'''eople and '''V'''ersatile '''T'''actical '''L'''eader from ''Series/UltramanOrb'' (SSP and VTL respectively).

** In the ''P.R.O.B.E.'' semiprovids, Liz Shaw is working for the Preternatural Research Bureau. The "E" could be the one in "Bureau", but where the "O" comes from is anyone's guess.

** The GadgeteerGenius [[TheDividual duo]] Fitz-Simmons had two inventions that fit: their mini-quadcopters named after ''Disney/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs'' are the '''D'''rones '''W'''irelessly '''A'''utomated to '''R'''etrieve '''F'''orensics, while their tranquilizer gun is the '''I'''ncapacitating '''C'''artridge '''E'''mitting '''R'''ailgun.

-->'''Elaine''': Well Shaun, the best known of the acronyms is of course the FIFO, meaning "Fly-In, Fly-Out" worker. A more specific subgroup of the FIFO are those workers who helicopter in and helicopter out, the HIHO, [[Disney/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs who are traditionally shorter miners]]. Some employees may prefer to cab it in and cab it out, the so-called [=CICOs=] (''pronounced "sickos"''), or perhaps you're a TITO, if you train it in and train it out, or if you're the first Yugoslavian president. Now, Shaun, can you work out what this one ("DIDO") would be referring to?\\

----

** In "Polymorph", Rimmer is attacked by a creature which removes all his anger, and leaves him suggesting that they humanely rehabilitate the beast. To that end he proposes an organisation known as the '''C'''ommittee for the '''L'''iberation and '''I'''ntegration of '''T'''errifying '''O'''rganisms and their '''R'''ehabilitation '''I'''nto '''S'''ociety. He himself recognises that the acronym could be a problem.
** In "Cassandra", Rimmer mentions that the name of the Canaries convict army is said to be an acronym of '''C'''onvict '''A'''rmy '''N'''early '''A'''ll '''R'''etarded '''I'''nbred '''E'''vil '''S'''heepshaggers.
** In "Siliconia", the crew are captured by the '''M'''echanoid '''I'''ntergalactic '''L'''iberation '''F'''ront. They proudly declare themselves to be [=MILF=]s on several occasions.

** One sketch had four kids in a kids' show with the first letters their names referred were on their shirts, each one referring to a particular virtue: '''F'''riendship, '''U'''nity, '''C'''aring, and '''K'''indness.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwj05qyprlI A skit]] from the Belgian sketch comedy show ''Als �t maar beweegt'' features Belgium�s latest entry to [[Series/EurovisionSongContest Eurovision]], the Flemish answer to Music/{{ABBA}} comprised of '''S'''tephanie, '''H'''erman, '''I'''ngrid and '''T'''ony.

** '''F'''usion, '''I'''gnition, '''R'''esearch '''E'''xperiment and '''S'''cience of '''T'''ransmutation '''O'''riginating '''R'''NA and '''M'''olecular Structures, AKA Firestorm.

** Another funny WordPlay from the pedophilia special refers to the H.O.E.C.S. (hoax) games that pedophiles use to physically interact with children through the Internet.

* ''Series/TheDailyShow'' example quoted above is, in fact, a lampshading of a long-running gag where the anchor would read the full name of an organization when it is first introduced, and acronym it as "NAMBLA", e.g. "Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or ''NAMBLA''". Of the ''10 F*** ing Years'' montage played sparingly throughout 2006, one showed the scale of just how many times this joke has been used (even after ignoring the countless times Craig Kilborn did). There were, of course, variations--they created fictional organizations that could be abbreviated as NAMBLA and then identified themselves as members of such; they created portmanteaus of NAMBLA and other acronyms (NAMBLOPEC), or just pronounced it funny (NAMBLA during an Ice Age? N-n-A-a-a-M-m-B-b-L-A-a-a.)

* Several ''Series/RobotWars'' contestants used this trope for naming their robots, by far the most hilarious was S.M.I.D.S.Y ('''S'''orry '''M'''ate '''I''' '''D'''idn't '''S'''ee '''Y'''ou).
** That particular robot was constructed by a team of bikers. "Sorry mate, I didn't see you," is the traditional excuse give by car drivers when they cut off or sideswipe a biker.

** GUYS or '''G'''uards for '''U'''tilit'''Y''' '''S'''ituation from ''Series/UltramanMebius''. Which then takes it a step further with their '''M'''uch '''E'''xtreme '''T'''echnology of '''E'''xtraterrestrial '''O''''''R'''igin equipment (METEOR).
** UPG: '''U'''ltra '''P'''arty '''G'''uardians from ''[[Series/UltramanGinga Ultraman Ginga S]]''.

** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E11Utopia Professor Yana]], [[[spoiler:who's actually TheMaster in human form. The Doctor is then reminded of the Face of Boe's dying words: '''[[YouAreNotAlone Y]]'''[[YouAreNotAlone ou]] '''[[YouAreNotAlone A]]'''[[YouAreNotAlone re]] '''[[YouAreNotAlone N]]'''[[YouAreNotAlone ot]] '''[[YouAreNotAlone A]]'''[[YouAreNotAlone lone]].]]

** The Doctor's TARDIS ('''[[TimeAndRelativeDimensionsInSpace T]]'''[[TimeAndRelativeDimensionsInSpace ime]] '''[[TimeAndRelativeDimensionsInSpace A]]'''[[TimeAndRelativeDimensionsInSpace nd]]'''[[TimeAndRelativeDimensionsInSpace R]]'''[[TimeAndRelativeDimensionsInSpace elative]] '''[[TimeAndRelativeDimensionsInSpace D]]'''[[TimeAndRelativeDimensionsInSpace imension(s)]] '''[[TimeAndRelativeDimensionsInSpace I]]'''[[TimeAndRelativeDimensionsInSpace n]] '''[[TimeAndRelativeDimensionsInSpace S]]'''[[TimeAndRelativeDimensionsInSpace pace]]).

* ''Series/{{UFO}}'' (the 1970's live-action series by the Andersons) had SHADO ('''S'''upreme '''H'''eadquarters '''A'''lien '''D'''efence '''O'''rganisation). Its symbol was a silhouetted man casting a shadow, and was pronounced "shadow" by its members. There's also a talking radar satellite called SID ('''S'''pace '''I'''ntruder '''D'''etector) and of course U.F.O (pronounced "u-fo" by Commander Straker and the usual way by everyone else). If you don't know [[FlyingSaucer what that stands for]], then you're spent the past half-century as an [[AlienAbduction alien abductee]] in [[HumanPopsicle suspended animation]].

* The title of ''Series/ANTFarm''. It stands for "'''A'''dvanced '''N'''atural '''T'''alents, and the word "ant" is used to refer the students who make up the A.N.T. Farm program.

* ''Series/SpinCity'':
** A con man (Charlie's dad, as a matter of fact) manages to get the mayor to write his organization, '''C'''onvicts '''A'''re '''S'''aved by '''H'''orses a check, and asks him to just use the acronym.
** In the name of equality, the Mayor broadcasts his intention to eradicate '''P'''rejucide, '''M'''alice, & '''S'''mall mindedness, as the camera zooms in to frame only him and those three letters. Paraphrasing: "There's no need for it. It's like half the city goes mad every month."
* ''Series/ThirtyRock'',
** The C.A.S.H. scam shows up again, only this time the alleged charity is the "Chicago All Saints Hospital."
** In another episode, Liz goes to a [=GE=] retreat with Jack. She's excited about going to lunch until she discovered that "lunch" was a class called '''L'''ego '''U'''tilization for '''N'''egating '''C'''risis '''H'''ierarchies. After this, she gets the chance to go to "class", which turns out to be '''C'''onsuming '''L'''unch '''A'''nd '''S'''imple '''S'''ocializing.
* The C.A.S.H gag is also used several times by a conman on ''Series/TheBeverlyHillbillies.''
* ''Series/TheMiddleman'' has a subversion with '''[=O2STK=]''', the '''O'''rganization Too '''S'''ecret to '''K'''now. (or '''WTHWWF''', '''W'''hoever '''T'''he '''H'''eck '''W'''e '''W'''ork '''F'''or, depending on the time period.)They play this straight with one of the Middleman's gadgets, the '''B'''io-harmonic '''U'''niversal '''M'''ulti-'''M'''odular '''E'''motional '''R'''erouter ('''B.U.M.M.E.R.'''). Guess what it does?
** The most mysterious one, however, concerns [[spoiler:'''F.A.T.B.O.Y''' Industries, who in fact stands for the '''F'''ederated '''A'''gents of '''T'''yranny, '''B'''etrayal and '''O'''ppression's '''Y'''oke - just you wait for the 13th episode...]]
* The occasional ''[[Series/TheColbertReport Colbert Report]]'' segment ''Stephen'' '''''R.A.P.S''''', which stands for '''RAPS''' '''A'''nd '''P'''ositive '''S'''peaking.
* An episode of Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer had an organization known as '''M'''others '''O'''pposed to the '''O'''ccult, who saw fit to [[IncrediblyLamePun raise the stakes]] against most of what features in the show. Naturally, they lampshade it.
-->"Oh... and ''nice'' acronym, Mom!"
* It's too early to know if this acronym is intentional, but in the ''{{Series/Dollhouse}}'' episode "Getting Closer" (2x11), Caroline (the future Echo) and Bennett first meet on the campus of the '''T'''ucson '''I'''nstitute of '''T'''echnology.
* The "Mr. Neutron" episode of ''Monty Python's Flying Circus'' had the American agency the '''F'''ederal '''E'''gg '''A'''nswering '''R'''oom, actually the cover for the '''F'''ree world '''E'''xtra-'''E'''arthly '''B'''odies '''L'''ocation and '''E'''xtermination center.
* In an episode of ''Series/PushingDaisies'', the Norwegian detective team's mobile crime lab's full name is the '''M'''obile '''I'''nvestigative '''L'''ab '''F'''acility (made even funnier by the fact that it's referred to as "Mother" throughout the entirety of the episode).
* An episode of ''Series/CornerGas'' makes acronyms a running joke. The crew form the The '''C'''ommittee '''T'''o '''C'''onvince '''A''' '''Y'''oung '''D'''octor '''T'''o '''L'''ive '''I'''n '''D'''og '''R'''iver. Lacey is naturally unimpressed with the crew's insistance of calling it by such cumbersome acronym of '''C.T.C.A.Y.D.T.L.I.D.R''' (pronounced "kit-kay-dit-tiddler" by Brent). The same episode also mentions the '''G'''reater '''R'''egional '''R'''ural '''A'''dministrative '''Z'''one ("G-Double-R-A-Z" or "grazz").
** Another episode had the cops run a anti-drunk-driving program called '''S'''ystematically '''L'''imit '''I'''mpaired '''D'''riving '''E'''verywhere, or '''S.L.I.D.E.'''. They later change it to '''F'''ully '''R'''educe '''I'''mpaired '''D'''riving '''A'''nywhere, or '''F.R.I.D.A.'''
--->'''Davis:''' It's not as strong an acronym, but it's friendly!
** Another episode shows that Wanda likes to write her name in wet cement. Davis somehow never suspected her.
--->'''Davis:''' Oh, ''that's'' Wanda who's been writing her name!\\
'''Oscar:''' Who else would be writing "Wanda"?\\
'''Davis:''' I thought it was an acronym for something.\\
'''Oscar:''' For what?\\
'''Davis:''' I don't know. '''W'''estern '''A'''ssociations of '''N'''on-'''D'''eveloped '''A'''gencies? '''W'''orld '''A'''gencies for '''N'''on-'''D'''eveloped '''A'''ssociations? '''W'''izards '''A'''gainst '''N'''aked '''D'''ancing in '''A'''lberta? '''W'''illiam '''A'''nd '''N'''adine's '''D'''ental '''A'''ppliances? ''[chuckles]'' And those are just off the top of my head.
* The original ''Series/KamenRider'' fought the evil organization SHOCKER, which was a GratuitousEnglish acronym for '''S'''acred '''H'''egemony '''O'''f '''C'''ycle '''K'''indred '''E'''volutional '''R'''ealm.
** And ''Series/KamenRiderX'' gave us GOD, the '''G'''overnment '''O'''f '''D'''arkness. That probably [[UnfortunateImplications wouldn't go over too well]] outside Japan...
** ''Series/KamenRiderDecade'' has a meta-example, as "Decade" is derived from "DCD" - '''D'''ata '''C'''ard'''d'''ass, the company that makes the CardBattleGame ''Ganbaride'' from which several key elements of Decade (like his TransformationTrinket and the cards that power it) are derived.
** TheMovie of ''Series/KamenRiderDouble'' has the terrorist organization NEVER, which our heroes learn is short for [[spoiler: '''[[NotUsingTheZWord NE]]'''[[NotUsingTheZWord cro-O]]'''[[NotUsingTheZWord VER]]''']].
** ''Series/KamenRiderDouble'' also has WBX, which is implied to stand for... Double '''B'''oiled E'''X'''treme! (In Japan the letter "W" is pronounced as "Double"- not "double u" like the rest of the world- so it did made sense.)
** ''Series/KamenRiderAgito'' involves a police unit formed to fight mysterious monsters called the '''S'''quad '''A'''gainst '''U'''nidentified '''L'''ifeforms.
** For a version with syllables, the names of Series/KamenRiderOOO's various Combos were mashups of the Medals that made them up. Usually they were just nonsense words, but in the franchise MilestoneCelebration movie, he used his usual '''Ta'''ka (Hawk) Medal with I'''ma'''gin (from ''Series/KamenRiderDenO'') and '''SH'''OCKER (see above) Medals; making [=TaMaShii=] Combo ("tamashii" being the Japanese word for "spirit" or "soul").
* Alan B'Stard aka ''Series/TheNewStatesman'' had a lucrative con with a number of bogus charities including '''C'''hristian '''A'''pproach to '''S'''ociety '''H'''andbooks following '''C'''roatian '''A'''nd '''S'''erbian '''H'''elpline and later '''C'''entral '''A'''mazonian '''S'''piritual '''H'''ealers. He is later called on it in a television interview and a list is read out.
--> '''Alan''':''(Talking on the Telephone)'' Yes, it is a lot to write on one cheque. ... Well, why not just write the initals: C-A-S-H.
* ''Series/FamilyMatters'' has the fictional '''I'''llinois '''O'''ccidental '''U'''niversity.
** Also, Carl Winslow's middle name is Otis, making his initials spell "COW". This has been explicitly pointed out on at least one occasion.
* On ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'', Marshall and Lily buy an apartment on a new trendy neighborhood named Dowisetrepla. Only too late do they realize that it stands for '''Do'''wn '''Wi'''nd of the '''Se'''wage '''Tre'''atment '''Pla'''nt.
** In another episode, Robin wins the '''L'''ocal '''A'''rea '''M'''edia '''A'''ward, whose initials Lily pronounces as "Lame-ah."
** What's Barney's job? When anybody asks, he just dismissively says, "Please." P.L.E.A.S.E., stands for [[spoiler:'''P'''rovide '''L'''egal '''E'''xculpation '''A'''nd '''S'''ign '''E'''verything: basically, he's getting wealthy by being the fall guy for his company's illegal activities. At least, until he colludes with the FBI.]]
* ''Filth: The [[MoralGuardian Mary Whitehouse]] Story'': Her husband had interrupt the first meeting of her newly formed organisation, whispering in her ear the self-defeating nature of the acronym of the new movement: Clean Up National Televison. The "National" was quickly removed.

* A ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' episode has Leonard, Howard, Raj and Leslie team up against Sheldon on a science competition. The formers' team is called '''P'''erpetual '''M'''otion '''S'''quad. The latter's team is called '''A'''rmy '''A'''nts. Dr. Gablehauser, who hosted the competition, was clearly not amused, but didn't comment.
** In "The Bus Pants Utilization", the guys are developing Leonard's idea for a new smart phone app. Sheldon suggests naming the app "the '''S'''urprisingly '''H'''elpful '''E'''quation-'''L'''inked '''D'''ifferential '''O'''ptimized '''N'''umerator", and pretends the acronym was unintentional.
* Lindsay from ''Series/ArrestedDevelopment'' mentioned a charity organization called "HOOP". While the name itself sounded innocent, it was in fact for an anti-circumsicion thing, and stood for "'''H'''ands '''O'''ff '''O'''ur '''P'''enises". And then, when the show was about to be canceled, Michael and George Senior {{Jossed}} the idea of an eventual ChannelHop, saying that the '''H'''ouse '''B'''uilders '''O'''rganization refused to work with the Bluth Company.
** The name of the episode? S.O.B.s, which also stands for [[http://saveourbluths.com/ Save Our Bluths]], a fan site [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin dedicated to saving the show]]. The web address even flashed across the screen at one point in the episode.
** For years, the Bluths made fundraisers for an illness called TBA. Which, at first, was simply meant to be a notice that they hadn't decided on the disease yet, and it was '''T'''o '''B'''e '''A'''nnounced. And then there's Maeby who fakes a terminal illness which she calls "BS" (pretty self-explanatory).
** And then, there's MRF on Rita's bracelet, first thought to stand for '''Mr''' '''F''', then revealed to stand for [[spoiler: '''M'''entally '''R'''etarded '''F'''emale]].
* In ''Creator/RuPaul's Drag Race'', Ru repeatedly reminded the contestants of the qualities the show's winner would have to have: '''C'''harisma, '''U'''niqueness, '''N'''erve and '''T'''alent.

* The first movie of Brazilian group Casseta & Planeta: an anarchist is trying to name his group. First option goes "PIROC" (something like "PRIC" - "No, not that! Who'll want to get into the PRIC?!"). The following two, "METE" and "CHUPA" ("put in" and "suck"), are only liked by their depraved hostage. So he decides to put something that would encompass each member of the group - '''P'''arty '''A'''narcho-'''N'''ationalist '''A'''nti-meat (a radical vegetarian) '''C'''arlos (surname of the other guy) - '''PANAC''', which with an "a" at the end would be "dork" in Portuguese (the hostage thought it fit the group perfectly!).
* [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kids_From_C.A.P.E.R./ The Kids from C.A.P.E.R.]] (1976) "The '''C'''ivilian '''A'''uthority for the '''P'''rotection of '''E'''verybody, '''R'''egardless!"
* Subverted in ''Series/{{Heroes}}'': While playing to TheMenInBlack trope, Mr. Bennet denied working for the government by saying "I'm not a part of any organization with initials". Fans promptly played with it by adopting the FanNickname OWI ("'''O'''rganization '''W'''ithout '''I'''nitials"). Bennet was also commonly referred to in official media as HRG, short for "(the man with the) '''H'''orn-'''R'''immed '''G'''lasses".
* ''Series/StargateSG1'' has the N.I.D. The initials are always sounded out, and no one ever mentions what it stands for. When a fan asked him, actor Michael Shanks replied: "Nid."
** It means '''N'''ational '''I'''ntelligence '''D'''epartment, according to the Stargate Wiki.
** ''Series/StargateAtlantis'' gave us '''F'''riendly '''R'''eplicator '''An'''droid.
*** The third season finale had this:
---->'''[=McKay=]:''' Look, why don't we just wait until Area 51 finishes the P.W.A.R.W.s?
---->'''Weir:''' ''(sighs)'' Which one's that again?
---->'''Sheppard:''' '''P'''lanetary-'''W'''ide '''A'''nti-'''R'''eplicator '''W'''eapons.
** SG-1 has a lot of acronyms in regular use as it focuses on a military organisation, but the seriousness of the meaning varies a bit, as seen with the IDC ('''ID'''entification '''C'''ode) being transmitted using a GDO ('''G'''arage '''D'''oor '''O'''pener).
** The thing that opens the Stargate is a DHD ('''D'''ial '''H'''ome '''D'''evice)
* ''Series/TheGoldenGirls'' gives us [[ReallyGetsAround Blanche E. Devereaux]].
* ''Series/{{MADtv}}'' has a recurring skit of a college group called '''K'''appa '''K'''appa '''K'''appa Sorority. The girls are more than aware of what the initials can also stand for... and one of them is black.
** A rival sorority of theirs is named '''Z'''eta '''I'''ota '''T'''au
* An episode of ''Series/PawnStars'' on which somebody bought a boat used "'''B'''ust '''O'''ut '''A'''nother '''T'''housand" (to refer to the incessant expensive repairs and maintenance often needed for used boats).
** This backronym has also been referenced, appropriately enough, on ''Series/DeadliestCatch''. With all the repairs that are done to the crab boats, it's surprising it's not used ''more'' often.
* ''Series/SuperRobotRedBaron'' has the '''S'''ecret '''S'''cience '''I'''nvestigation, a peace-keeping organization that the heroes are a part of.
* In ''Series/{{The Office|US}}'', Dwight remembers to '''K'''eep '''I'''t '''S'''imple '''S'''tupid while doing sales.
** He also tries this when listing the qualities that make him an excellent worker, using his own name. [[http://waylandl.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/dwight_schrute1.jpg It doesn't work out as well.]]
* The [=H2IK=] sequence in ''Series/DefyingGravity'' basically means "Hell if I know". It just makes the people saying it sound like they know what they're doing.
* On ''Series/SaturdayNightLive;''
** One sketch had four kids in a kids' show with the first letters their names referred were on their shirts, each one referring to a particular virtue: '''F'''riendship, '''U'''nity, '''C'''aring, and '''K'''indness.
** A ''Weekend Update'' sketch during George W. Bush's presidency had the news that due to the success of "No Child Left Behind," the administration would be introducing another governmental program aimed at 'helping' young people: "Do Right And Follow Through."
* An episode of ''Series/{{Community}}'' has a couple examples:
** The KFC space simulator computer S.A.N.D.E.R.S. ('''S'''ystematic '''A'''ndroid '''N'''etwork '''D'''iode '''E'''nergy '''R'''ocket '''S'''ystem).
** A second example is the C.C.C.P ('''C'''ity '''C'''ollege '''C'''osmic '''P'''rogram), a GeniusBonus when you realize that '''C.C.C.P.''' are actually the English letter imitation of the Cyrillic name for the USSR. "C.C.C.P." was placed on the helmet of the first man Soviet Union actually sent into space.
* The 2001 revival of ''Series/CardSharks'', which had a Las Vegas-themed set and [[InNameOnly virtually nothing in common]] with previous versions of ''Card Sharks''. As a result, it quickly earned the FanNickname of "[=CaSINO=]", which stood for "'''Ca'''rd '''S'''harks '''I'''n '''N'''ame '''O'''nly".
* ''Averted'' by ''Series/LostInSpace''. [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robot_B-9 According to Wikipedia]], the full designation of the Robot from Lost In Space is the ''B-9, Class M-3 '''G'''eneral '''U'''tility '''N'''on-'''Th'''eorizing '''E'''nvironmental Control '''R'''obot''. How did the creators of a mid-Sixties camp SF show resist the temptation to dub the thing '''"G.U.N.Th.E.R."'''?
* ''Series/MadanSenkiRyukendo'' has the '''S'''hoot '''H'''ell '''O'''bduracy '''T'''rooper organization, or SHOT, which its titular heroes belong to. Another fine example of GratuitousEnglish.
* ''Series/MyNameIsEarl'' has '''B'''lack '''L'''adies '''O'''f '''W'''restling, which Joy's black sister Liberty Washington becomes a member of.
* An ''Series/AllThat'' sketch had the '''L'''eague of '''A'''mazing '''M'''agnificent '''O'''utstanding '''S'''uperheroes.
* In one of the recurring "Celebrity Secrets" segments aired during ''Series/LateNight with Creator/ConanOBrien'', John Tesh claimed his last name was also an acronym for his goal in life: '''T'''ickle '''E'''very '''S'''ingle '''H'''uman.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwj05qyprlI A skit]] from the Belgian sketch comedy show ''Als �t maar beweegt'' features Belgium�s latest entry to [[Series/EurovisionSongContest Eurovision]], the Flemish answer to Music/{{ABBA}} comprised of '''S'''tephanie, '''H'''erman, '''I'''ngrid and '''T'''ony.
* ''Series/SpaceAboveAndBeyond'' features a '''M.A.R.I.N.E.S.''' chant.
-->M: Mean as Hell!\\
A: All the Time!\\
R: Rough and Tough!\\
I: In the Mud!\\
N: Never Quits!\\
E: Every Day!\\
S: Semper Fi!
* On ''Series/BurnNotice''
** When dealing with some anti-government militia man, Sam coins the boss the E.N.I.C. or "Extremist Nutbag In Charge."
** When Fiona was in prison she met a merchant inmate named "Ayn" who boasted of being able to provide '''A'''nything '''Y'''ou '''N'''eed.
* ''Series/TheNewAdventuresOfBeansBaxter'' featured the NebulousEvilOrganization the '''U'''nderground '''G'''overnment '''L'''iberation '''I'''ntergroup, or '''U.G.L.I.''' for short.
* Series/{{Maude}}: Arthur creates the '''F'''athers '''A'''gainst '''G'''ays '''S'''ociety.
* From the Pilot of ''Series/AgentsOfSHIELD'':
-->'''Maria Hill:''' What does "S.H.I.E.L.D." stand for, Agent Ward?\\
'''Agent Ward:''' '''S'''trategic '''H'''omeland '''I'''ntervention, '''E'''nforcement, and '''L'''ogistics '''D'''ivision.\\
'''Maria Hill:''' And what does that mean to you?\\
'''Agent Ward:''' It means someone really wanted our initials to spell out "Shield".
** Given that in the MCU S.H.I.E.L.D. was founded by the colleagues of Captain America a few years after the Captain's apparent death, Ward's explanation might even be correct.
** Also played with in some of the episode titles, such as "T.R.A.C.K.S." and "T.A.H.I.T.I." -- neither of which are explained.
*** "T.A.H.I.T.I."[[note]]for the record, NOT a magical place[[/note]] however is shown to be [[http://i.imgur.com/T05iBS9.jpg an in-universe acronym]] - although the final word is unclear from the freeze framed pictured, '''T'''errestrialized '''A'''lien '''H'''ost '''I'''ntegrative '''T'''issue '''I'''(nitiative?) - [[spoiler:i.e. using [[MainliningTheMonster the fluids from an alien corpse]] to create a regenerative serum]].
** The GadgeteerGenius [[TheDividual duo]] Fitz-Simmons had two inventions that fit: their mini-quadcopters named after ''SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs'' are the '''D'''rones '''W'''irelessly '''A'''utomated to '''R'''etrieve '''F'''orensics, while their tranquilizer gun is the '''I'''ncapacitating '''C'''artridge '''E'''mitting '''R'''ailgun.
* ''Series/LoisAndClark'' met several of them in the episode where ComicBook/LexLuthor's ex-wife was inducing people to hate ''{{Superman}}''. One of them was '''S'''uperman '''T'''yranny '''O'''ver '''P'''eople.

* ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000''
** The title itself is one: ''[=MST3K=].''
** The ''[[Film/TheIncrediblyStrangeCreatures Incredibly Strange Creatures]]'' [[Recap/MysteryScienceTheater3000S08E12TheIncrediblyStrangeCreatures episode]] pushes it even further, making fun of the film's overly long title by having Crow and Tom Servo participate in Walkathon charities with outragously long titles.
*** '''W.A.L.K.A.T.H.O.N.:''' '''W'''alkers '''A'''t '''L'''arge '''K'''inetically '''A'''ltruistic '''T'''hrough '''H'''ygiene '''O'''r ''''N'''owledge
*** '''H.E.L.P.I.N.G.C.H.I.L.D.R.E.N.T.H.R.O.U.G.H.R.E.S.E.A.R.C.H.A.N.D.D.E.V.E.L.O.P.M.E.N.T.:''' '''H'''i, '''E'''veryone. '''L'''et's '''P'''itch '''I'''n ''''N'''' '''G'''et '''C'''racking '''H'''ere '''I'''n '''L'''ouisiana '''D'''oing '''R'''ight, '''E'''h? '''N'''ow '''T'''hen. '''H'''ateful '''R'''ich '''O'''verbearing '''U'''gly '''G'''uys '''H'''urt '''R'''oyally '''E'''verytime '''S'''omeone '''E'''ats '''A''' '''R'''adish, '''C'''arrot, '''H'''ors d'oeuvre, '''A'''nd '''N'''ever '''D'''oes '''D'''ishes. '''E'''ventually, '''V'''ictor '''E'''ats '''L'''unch '''O'''ver '''P'''eoria '''M'''it '''E'''in '''N'''euesberger '''T'''od
** Then there is the '''SOL''' itself. In-canon, it stands for '''S'''atellite '''O'''f '''L'''ove, like the Lou Reed song, but also for [[DoubleEntendre a vulgar idiom]] that describes Joel/Mike/Jonah and the 'Bots predicament quite well.
** The movie ''Agent From HARM'' had Mike and the Bots have a blast coming up with [=HARM=]'s acronym.
** What do you do if you encounter a time portal? It's as easy as T.I.M.E.!
--> '''Gypsy:''' '''T.I.M.E.''' '''T'''ell someone. '''I'''dentify when the portal goes to. '''M'''ake a plan. And '''E'''nter the portal, comma, not!
--> '''Jonah:''' Gypsy, that last one is really confusing.
--> '''Crow:''' You try coming up with something that starts with E, maggot!
* In ''Series/MarriedWithChildren'', Al started an anti-feminist organization known as the '''N'''ational '''O'''rganization of '''M'''en '''A'''gainst '''A'''mazonian '''M'''asterhood, or NO MA'AM. The spacing and apostrophe are of course just for show.
** In Brazil, they're known as [=SEM ELAS=] (without female "them" - the pronoum has no gender-neutral equivalent in Brazilian Portuguese) or '''S'''ociedade '''E'''tílica de '''M'''aridos '''E'''scapando do '''L'''ar '''A'''trás de '''S'''exo (Etilical Society of Husbands Escaping Home for Sex)
** The Russian remake ''Series/HappyTogether'' set in Yekaterinburg, Russia, has this organization named '''B'''ortsy '''E'''katerinburga '''Z'''a '''B'''esposchadnoe '''A'''bsolutnoe '''B'''aboistreblenie (fighters of Yekateriburg for merciless absolute gynocide), abbreviated as BEZ BAB (without broads).
** There's also Marcy's MoralGuardian group '''F'''eminists '''A'''gainst '''N'''eanderthal '''G'''uys (''Neanderthal Guy'' is a show that Al likes), along with her pregnancy group '''W'''omen '''O'''we '''M'''en '''B'''upkis.
* In one episode of ''Series/{{MASH}}'', Hawkeye has been made Officer of the Day and has to wear the requisite armband. He then claims that it means he is '''O'''livia '''D'''e Havilland.
* On ''Series/RuPaulsDragRace'', competing drag queens must show off their [[CountryMatters Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent]] to win [[ProductPlacement a year's supply of Anastasia Beverly Hills cosmetics]], and $100,000.
* ''Series/FullHouse'' had Jodie Sweetin appearing in a ''No Smoking'' PSA in which it goes by the name of '''D'''onna Jo '''IS''' '''C'''lueless, '''A'''nnoying, '''R'''ude and '''D'''umb (often known as DISCARD), whom her big sister, DJ (Candace Cameron), smokes in college.
** Another had Michelle joining a anti-Banned Book protest, which is known as '''G'''ive '''O'''ur '''B'''ooks '''B'''ack (pronounced as COBB), resulting in a no "Banned Books" edict, because her older sister, Stephanie, who had recently finished reading ''Literature/BridgeToTerabithia'' and started on ''Literature/TheBabySittersClub'', ''Literature/ThePrincessDiaries'', ''Literature/LittleWomen'', ''Literature/NancyDrew'', ''Literature/LittleHouseOnThePrairie'' or ''Literature/TheHungerGames''. "Getting a book banned is not acceptable," says John Stamos (whose mentor is ''Creator/JodieFoster''). "GO WATCH A MOVIE!"
* ''Series/GetSmart'' had the organizations CONTROL and KAOS, neither of which stood for anything.
* Chandler's job in ''Series/{{Friends}}'' required him to pay attention to the '''W'''eekly '''E'''stimated '''N'''et '''U'''sage '''S'''ystems, as well as the '''A'''nnual '''N'''et '''U'''sage '''S'''tatistics.
** Also on ''Series/{{Friends}}'', Joey gets cast on "Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E.", where the latter is a '''C'''ybernetic '''H'''umanoid '''E'''lectronically '''E'''nhanced '''S'''ecret '''E'''nforcer. Joey fails to realise this isn't just a happy coincidence.
* ''Series/RedDwarf'',
** In "Polymorph", Rimmer is attacked by a creature which removes all his anger, and leaves him suggesting that they humanely rehabilitate the beast. To that end he proposes an organisation known as the '''C'''ommittee for the '''L'''iberation and '''I'''ntegration of '''T'''errifying '''O'''rganisms and their '''R'''ehabilitation '''I'''nto '''S'''ociety. He himself recognises that the acronym could be a problem.
** In ''Cassandra'', Rimmer mentions that the name of the Canaries convict army is said to be an acronym of '''C'''onvict '''A'''rmy '''N'''early '''A'''ll '''R'''etarded '''I'''nbred '''E'''vil '''S'''heepshaggers.
** In "Siliconia", the crew are captured by the '''M'''echanoid '''I'''ntergalactic '''L'''iberation '''F'''ront. They proudly declare themselves to be [=MILF=]s on several occasions.
* In ''Series/OnlyFoolsAndHorses'', Del buys some headed notepaper for the business. He initializes everything, because "Modern businesspeople only speak in initials." Their company is '''T'''rotter's '''I'''ndependent '''T'''raders, and Rodney has a '''D'''iploma '''I'''n '''C'''omputerization. Lampshaded when Rodney comments:
-->'''Rodney''': Del, thanks to your high profile, we now have a company called "Tit" and a director with "Dic" after his name.
** Another episode has Del's talk that he dreams to one day walk out onto a balcony with their company's initials in giant letters above him. Rodney snarks how appropriate it is that he dreams about being under a 20ft sign calling him a "Tit".
* ''Series/{{Scorpion}}'' had an episode where the team does a training mission with the military and the soldiers kept referring to the members of Team Scorpion as '''SMACK's''' - '''S'''oldiers '''M'''inus '''A'''bility '''C'''oordination or '''K'''nowledge.

** The Doctor's TARDIS ('''T'''ime '''A'''nd '''R'''elative '''D'''imension '''I'''n '''S'''pace).

** ''Series/DoctorWho'' also has the military unit U.N.I.T., for '''U'''nited '''N'''ations '''I'''ntelligence '''T'''askforce. The ExpandedUniverse took this further: the French branch is called N.U.I.T. (French for "night"; '''N'''ations '''U'''nies...), in Russia it's O.G.R.O.N. (for '''O'''perativnaya '''G'''ruppa '''R'''asvedkoy '''O'''byedinyonnih '''N'''atsiy, which roughly translates as "United Nations Reconnaissance Operations Group", but also happens to be the name of a ''Series/DoctorWho'' monster), and one novel set in World War II featured an equivilent organisation called L.O.N.G.B.O.W. (for '''L'''eague '''O'''f '''N'''ations '''G'''lobal '''B'''izarre '''O'''ccurences '''W'''atch).

** In the revived series, as of the fourth season, the organization has been renamed to the "'''UN'''ified '''I'''ntelligence '''T'''askforce, in response to some issues the ''actual'' United Nations had with the name (Though not with the UN affiliation, for whatever reason).
** The start of the fourth series in April 2008 coincides with the online game Website/NationStates renaming its fictional United Nations into the "World Assembly", due to similar objections. The close timing is coincidental as both must have been legally threatened well ahead of time, but it is possible that this was part of the same "trademark clean-up" effort at the UN.
** One of the books has the ''S''t ''O''scar's ''D''atabase ''I''nformation ''T''erminus, sometimes called "The facility that dare not speak its acronym"
** LINDA, the '''L'''ondon '''I'''nvestigation ' '''N''' ' '''D'''etective '''A'''gency.
*** Which first appeared during Creator/RussellTDavies's time as writer of ''Why Don't You...'', as the '''L'''iverpool '''I'''nvestigation '''N''' '''D'''etective '''A'''gency.

** The new series takes the "use letters from within the words" cheat to its logical conclusion with ATMOS, which stands for "'''ATM'''ospheric '''O'''missions '''S'''ystem". (With bonus IncrediblyLamePun.)
*** And the "inventor" would get annoyed when people referred to it as the [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment "ATMOS System"]]
*** In the same story, U.N.I.T's new name (changed due to legal concerns with the real United Nations) was revealed as '''UN'''ified '''I'''ntelligence '''T'''askforce.
** In the 1973 episode "The Green Death" the meglomaniac computer which plans to take over the world was called BOSS (Bimorphic Organisational Systems Supervisor). "My creators found it amusing. I find it...[[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast appropriate]]."
** In ''Series/TheSarahJaneAdventures'', when Sarah describes what former companions are doing, she mentions "Dorothy [[OnlyOneName something]]" who now runs an organisation called '''A''' '''C'''haritable '''E'''arth.
** Also there's Professor Yana, [[[spoiler: who's actually TheMaster in human form. The Doctor is then reminded of The Face of Boe's dying words: '''Y'''ou '''A'''re '''N'''ot '''A'''lone.]]
** Averted with [[ArcWords TORCHWOOD]], which is actually more like "Fun With Anagrams": rearranged, the letters spell "Doctor Who."
** TOMTIT from "The Time Monster": '''T'''ransmission '''O'''f '''M'''atter '''T'''hrough '''I'''nterstitial '''T'''ime.
** According to Creator/StevenMoffat, the WorkingTitle for "Silence in the Library" was "'''A''' '''R'''iver '''S'''ong '''E'''nding", apparently generated when he and Creator/RussellTDavies were playing a game of inventing ''Doctor Who'' titles with rude acronyms. And yes, that is actually why she's called River Song.

* S.A.M. from ''Series/SesameStreet'', which stands for '''S'''uper '''A'''utomatic '''M'''achine. Those who were severely freaked out by him as children would argue '''S'''atan's '''A'''utomaton of '''M'''alice would be more accurate.
* ''Series/TheDailyShow'' example quoted above is, in fact, a lampshading of a long-running gag where the anchor would read the full name of an organization when it is first introduced, and acronym it as "NAMBLA", e.g. "Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or ''NAMBLA''". Of the ''10 F*** ing Years'' montage played sparingly throughout 2006, one showed the scale of just how many times this joke has been used (even after ignoring the countless times Craig Kilborn did). There were, of course, variations--they created fictional organizations that could be abbreviated as NAMBLA and then identified themselves as members of such; they created portmanteaus of NAMBLA and other acronyms (NAMBLOPEC), or just pronounced it funny (NAMBLA during an Ice Age? N-n-A-a-a-M-m-B-b-L-A-a-a.)
** Jon Stewart eventually ends the segment by apologizing for any distress he's caused the North American Man-Boy Love Association -- "or, as it's more commonly known, [=UNICEF=]."
** They've also done this with organizations that were already abbreviated ("The AARP, or NAMBLA",) and during the Mark Foley scandal, there was "The National Man/Boy Love Association, or 'Congress'."
** One other segment had a correspondent who supposedly forms a group called "'''N'''ews '''A'''ctivism '''M'''eans '''B'''etter '''L'''iving for '''A'''ll."
** Also, when they had a [[http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-june-11-2001/fruit-juice-pt--2 panel]] of "experts" from fictional organizations '''C'''itizens '''O'''ffering '''C'''rucial '''K'''nowledge, and "Gaywad", which actually doesn't stand for anything.
** To explain and elaborate on the concept of a "taint team", Trevor turns to a correspondent whose stated only legal credentials are that he's been told not to go within 20 feet of Denny's; what follows is a two-circle venn diagram ("that I carry around with me") and a HurricaneOfPuns about what represents what, before he gets to the matter of '''A'''ll '''N'''otable Documents '''U'''nder '''S'''uspicion. Asked where the "D" is, he gestures appropriately to where the D is. Trevor understands why he's not allowed at Denny's anymore.

* In ''Franchise/StarTrek'', "phaser" stands for '''PHAS'''ed (possibly short for '''PHAS'''e-modulated as of ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'') '''E'''nergy '''R'''ectification because [[RealLifeWritesThePlot lasers were too new a technology in the 1960s to still be plausibly used in the distant future.]]
** According to the novelization of ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration's'' {{pilot}} episode, Geordi [=LaForge=] is wearing a '''V'''isual '''I'''nstrument and '''S'''ensory '''O'''rgan '''R'''eplacement. Geordi comments that he sometimes wonders how long it took them to come up with that one.
*** Also the handheld tablet computers were called '''P'''ersonal '''A'''ccess '''D'''isplay '''D'''evices.
** ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'' had a team of {{SpaceMarine}}s called [=MACO's=] (for '''M'''ilitary '''A'''ssault '''C'''ommand '''O'''perations). Which gave them an excuse to wear a cool mako shark on their arm patch.
** Inverted in ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries''; several parts of the Engineering Room set were stencilled with the acronym '''GNDN''' to indicate that a studio set '''G'''oes '''N'''owhere and '''D'''oes '''N'''othing.

* '' '''S'''exo y '''O'''tros '''S'''ecretos'' ("'''S'''ex and '''O'''ther '''S'''ecrets")

* ''Series/{{Lost}}'' had the DHARMA Initiative ('''D'''epartment of '''H'''euristics '''a'''nd '''R'''esearch on '''M'''aterial '''A'''pplications) - using [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma a religious concept]] as basis for the acronym makes total sense given the thing was created by basically hippie scientists.
* ''Series/BrassEye'' goes to town with this trope. The acronym either resembles a rude word (such as SHADT for Schools Heightened Aversion Drug Therapy and FUKD for Free the UK from Drugs) or a [[InherentlyFunnyWords nonsense word]] (the best being GEFAFWISP for Global Ensortium for A First World Iniative on Scientific Practice).
** Another funny WordPlay from the pedophilia special refers to the H.O.E.C.S. (hoax) games that pedophiles use to physically interact with children through the Internet.
* According to the ''Series/LookAroundYou'' episode on maths, it stands for the gibberish phrase '''M'''athematical '''A'''nti-'''T'''elharsic '''H'''arfatum '''S'''eptomin.
* ''Series/{{UFO}}'' (the 1970's live-action series by the Andersons) had SHADO ('''S'''upreme '''H'''eadquarters '''A'''lien '''D'''efence '''O'''rganisation). Its symbol was a silhouetted man casting a shadow, and was pronounced "shadow" by its members. There's also a talking radar satellite called SID ('''S'''pace '''I'''ntruder '''D'''etector) and of course U.F.O (pronounced "u-fo" by Commander Straker and the usual way by everyone else). If you don't know [[FlyingSaucer what that stands for]], then you're spent the past half-century as an [[AlienAbduction alien abductee]] in [[HumanPopsicle suspended animation]].
* The Creator/GerryAnderson series are generally big on acronyms. From ''Series/{{Stingray 1964}}'', we have WASP (World Aquanaut Security Patrol): from ''Series/TheSecretService'', BISHOP (British Intelligence Service Headquarters, Operation Priest); from ''Series/{{Joe 90}}'', WIN (World Intelligence Network) and BIG RAT (Brain Impulse Galvanoscope, Record And Transfer). To name but a few.
* In ''Series/KnightRider'', Michael and co. worked for the '''F'''oundation for '''L'''aw '''A'''nd '''G'''overnment. Despite the catchy acronym, they only use "FLAG" a couple of times on screen, preferring to say "The Foundation".
** On the other hand, there was K.I.T.T himself ('''K'''night '''I'''ndustries '''T'''wo '''T'''housand)
*** And his [[EvilTwin evil prototype]] K.A.R.R. ('''K'''night '''A'''utomated '''R'''oving '''R'''obot)
*** And in the 2009 {{Revival}}, it was '''K'''night '''I'''ndustries '''Three''' '''T'''housand.

* ''Series/MrYoung'' parodies this with ARTHUR-the '''A'''rtificial '''R'''obotic '''T'''eenager '''H'''ippopotamus '''U'''mbrella '''R'''ainbow.
* In the 1970s, TV Ontario aired a children's series called ''Cucumber'', which stood for '''C'''hildren's '''U'''nderground '''C'''lub of '''U'''nited '''M'''oose and '''B'''eaver for '''E'''nthusiastic '''R'''eporters.
* The brainwashing device in the ''Series/{{Eureka}}'' episode "Lost" is named the '''A'''drenaline '''S'''uppression '''S'''ystem and referred to by the acronym, frequently as belonging to its creator Dr. Parrish.
* ''Series/ShaunMicallefsMadAsHell'' has this discussion of mining industry jargon:
-->'''Elaine''': Well Shaun, the best known of the acronyms is of course the FIFO, meaning "Fly-In, Fly-Out" worker. A more specific subgroup of the FIFO are those workers who helicopter in and helicopter out, the HIHO, [[Disney/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs who are traditionally shorter miners]]. Some employees may prefer to cab it in and cab it out, the so-called [=CICOs=] (''pronounced "sickos"''), or perhaps you're a TITO, if you train it in and train it out, or if you're the first Yugoslavian president. Now, Shaun, can you work out what this one ("DIDO") would be referring to?
-->'''Shaun''': Uh, "Drive in, drive out"?
-->'''Elaine''': (''laughing'') No, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dido_%28singer%29 she's a singer]]!
-->'''Shaun''': My mistake.
-->'''Elaine''': And finally, there's the workers who like to take the escalator into work and the escalator immediately out, the EIEIO.
* In ''Series/{{Killjoys}}'' the local BountyHunter guild is named the '''R'''eclamation '''A'''pprehension '''C'''oalition, so of course everybody knows them as The Rack.
* A segment on ''Series/LastWeekTonightWithJohnOliver'' dealing with sex education cites two real-life abstinence programs that use this trope, '''W'''hy '''A'''m '''I''' '''T'''empted and '''A'''bstnence '''P'''rotects '''E'''veryone. The third such example eschewed acronyms, so he provided one for them: "No Screwin' Around, which I assume stands for '''N'''o '''O'''ne '''S'''hould '''C'''opulate '''R'''egularly '''E'''xcept '''W'''edded '''I'''ndividuals. '''N'''ow '''A''' '''R'''eacharound '''O'''ccasionally '''U'''ltimately '''N'''ot '''D'''isastrous".
* ''Series/BattlestarGalacticaReimagined'' has the redundant '''D'''irection '''R'''ange '''A'''nd '''DIS'''tance instead of '''RA'''dio '''D'''etection '''A'''nd '''R'''anging.
* [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] with S.T.A.R. Labs on ''Series/TheFlash2014'': Harrison Wells (the real one; [[IdentityImpersonator it's complicated]]) was originally going to call his laboratory the '''T'''echnical '''E'''ngineering '''S'''cientific '''S'''tudies as a tribute to his wife, Tess Morgan. Tess suggested that he name it the '''S'''cientific and '''T'''echnological '''A'''dvanced '''R'''esearch Laboratory because she considered him her "star". Her name ultimately won out.

* The NebulousEvilOrganisation in ''Series/OdiseaBurbujas'' is '''C'''ontaminadores '''y''' '''D'''estructores '''A'''nónimos (Polluters and Destroyers Anonymous) or CYDA (AIDS in Spanish).
* In the TV-movie "Drop-Out Father", the hero's friend points out to him that the advertising agency they work for, '''C'''annon '''R'''ush, '''A'''llison & '''P'''erkins, has an appropriate acronym.
* On ''Series/TheNoddyShop'' the name of the eponymous shop comes from '''N'''otions '''O'''ddities '''D'''oodads and '''D'''elights of '''Y'''esterday.
* In one episode of ''Series/LastOfTheSummerWine'', Howard, in one of his ploys to be with Marina, he created a fake club (which he claimed Clegg started) called the "'''O'''utdoor '''A'''ctivities '''F'''ellowship". He didn't realize what the acronym was until Clegg pointed it out, saying that it was a very fitting badge for him to wear.
* ''Series/MacGyver1985'': Murdoc works for the Homocide International Trust... making him a literal "HIT man".
* ''Series/TheGrandTour'' has brought us many important automotive-based facilities, such as the '''G'''rand '''T'''our '''S'''pecial '''H'''igh '''I'''ntensity '''T'''est '''T'''rack and the '''G'''rand '''T'''our '''I'''nstitute of '''T'''echnology.

* ''Series/{{Arrowverse}}'':
** '''F'''usion, '''I'''gnition, '''R'''esearch '''E'''xperiment and '''S'''cience of '''T'''ransmutation '''O'''riginating '''R'''NA and '''M'''olecular Structures, AKA Firestorm.
** '''A'''nti-'''M'''etahuman '''A'''daptative '''Z'''ootomic '''O'''rganism, AKA Amazo.
* ''Series/ComeBackMrsNoah'': The Britannia Seven is launched from the Pontefract International Space Centre, or PISC, which sounds a bit rude and is therefore used as a joke.

** The ''Lethbridge-Stewart'' novels feature a predecessor to UNIT called the '''H''ome '''A'''rmy '''Fifth''' '''O'''perational '''C'''orps, or HAVOC (with "V" being a Roman numeral). (HAVOC was also the name of the UNIT-era stunt crew.)