2740: Taser: An Acronym with a Surprising Story Jun 21, 2024

The word ‘taser’ is from a children’s story published in 1911, sort of. The word ‘taser’ is an acronym, and clearly designed on the pattern of ‘maser’ and ‘laser’ (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation), but for a very different reason. It is not named for its function nor for its inventor, Jack Cover), but rather a book he enjoyed Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle, by Victor Appleton (a publishing house’s pseudonym), which involved some science fiction type inventions including the electric rifle. Originally rendered TSER, the -A- was added for ease of pronunciation.