PDA

UK: ˌpiː.diːˈeɪ | US: ˌpiː.diːˈeɪ

Definition

  1. n. (abbreviation) 1. Personal Digital Assistant (a handheld electronic device for organizing information).

  2. n. (informal) 2. Public Display of Affection (visible physical intimacy between couples in public).

Structure
P <personal>D <digital>A <assistant>
Etymology

"PDA" originated as an initialism in the 1990s for "Personal Digital Assistant," reflecting the rise of compact computing devices (e.g., Palm Pilots). Later, it acquired a colloquial meaning ("Public Display of Affection") through humorous reinterpretation of the acronym, showcasing language evolution via pop culture.

Examples

  1. Early PDAs like the Palm Pilot revolutionized mobile productivity.

  2. The couple was criticized for excessive PDA at the party.

  3. Modern smartphones have largely replaced standalone PDAs.

  4. Some schools enforce rules against PDA on campus.

  5. Engineers used PDAs for real-time data collection in the field.