Initialism

[Gregory]

a practically useless word created to distinguish initials from [acronyms].
the word was [crafted] to ensure that those who do not [subscribe] to the concept are made to feel ridiculous when they have to ask what is an initialism?

[Ernesto]

An abbreviation consisting of initial letters pronounced separately (e.g. BBC).

[Lanell]

An [acronym] that [you say] each [letter] for as opposed to saying it as a word.