Acronym
What does ETA mean?
Two acronyms in one coat: estimated time of arrival, and edited to add.
Definition
ETA on a map is when you arrive. ETA on a post is the passage someone added later, without pretending the text was born that way. Context splits the two. In a Reddit thread, ETA: usually opens the amendment. In a ride app, ETA is the clock. Not the Spanish political organisation — another century, same letter order.
Origin
Military and logistics English (arrival time); the editorial edited to add grew in forums.
History
From radio to GPS, and from the forum to the Reddit edit note.
How it emerged
Arriving and amending both needed three letters; they took the same ones.
Usage examples
ETA 6 p.m., bad traffic.
ETA: the rumour was false; I left the post up.
Translations
- pt ETA
- en ETA
- es ETA
Synonyms
- estimated arrival
- edited to add
- arrival time
Acronyms
- ETA
Related terms
Questions
What does ETA mean?
In the street: estimated time of arrival. On a forum: edited to add, a later addition.
How to tell them apart?
Context. A clock and a map versus a note at the end of the text.
The Spanish historical ETA?
No. Only the letter order matches.