Following the old rule of thumb: Y goes before C, except when C stands for something that could be embarrassing, the YMCAformerly known as the Young Mens Christian Associationhas decided to lop off the last three letters of its name and will now be known simply as the Y.
One of the nations most iconic nonprofit organizations, founded 166 years ago in England as the Young Mens Christian Association, is undergoing a major rebranding, adopting as its name the nickname everyone has used for generations.Its a way of being warmer, more genuine, more welcoming, when you call yourself what everyone else calls you, said Kate Coleman, the organizations senior vice president and chief marketing officer. Read more .
Now this may be a sign that Im a crank, but I cant help but suspect that the decision had more to do with distancing the organization from the labels Men and Christian than being warm and genuine.