Since When Have Indonesians Been Fond of Shortening Words?

Today, we often hear acronyms or shortened words such as japri (jalur pribadi) or modus (modal dusta). But when did this habit of shortening words first emerge?

The phenomenon of shortening words in society continues to develop to this day. Abbreviations or acronyms continually appear and colour our daily conversations. Some examples include mager (malas gerak), bucin (budak cinta) or food-related terms such as batagor (bakso tahu goreng).

Soenjono Dardjowi Djojo, in a paper titled Acronymic Patterns in Indonesian (1979), studied this phenomenon. In his study, Indonesians’ habit of shortening words or creating acronyms had existed for a long time. However, the habit became popular as the 1960s began.

Furthermore, material on abbreviations or acronyms became compulsory in military academy curricula. Cadets were required to take an acronyms course.

The habit of shortening words grew more popular. One of its proponents was Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno. For instance, through the term berdikari, which is an acronym of ‘berdiri di kaki sendiri’ (standing on one’s own feet). The term was attached to the Proclamator’s speeches.

When the failed coup of 1965 occurred, the habit of making acronyms became even more popular. New acronyms and abbreviations continued to emerge.

Acronyms More Popular

As power shifted to the Suharto era, the creation of acronyms or abbreviations became extremely widespread. For example, government programmes such as the five-year development plan abbreviated as pelita. Then there is ‘Jakarta Raya’ shortened to ‘Jaya’. Acronyms were frequently used by the government to publicise programmes.

This tradition of shortening words has continued to the present day. However, nowadays acronyms are often formed from slang for everyday conversation. So, what is your favourite acronym?