How many syllables are in the pronunciation of "G.S.W.?"

Question

I hear cops use the term "GSW" to abbreviate "gunshot wound," but when spoken it's not actually shorter than just saying "gunshot wound." In my mind, "GSW" (spoken "gee - es - duh - bull - you") is 5 syllables, and is longer to say than "gun - shot - wound" (3 syllables).

I've recently had someone tell me that "technically GSW isn't a word so it has ZERO syllables(?)" and when I argued that syllables involve phonetics (speech sounds), they doubled down and then argued that "GSW" is 3 syllables when spoken, just like "gunshot wound."

Who's right? Who's wrong? Can anyone clarify this issue and provide references? By definition, syllables are the shortest building blocks of speech. I don't understand how someone can argue that "GSW" when spoken is 3 syllables (or zero syllables) instead of 5.

Answer 1

With symbols and figures, the syllables are known by the way they are normally pronounced.

For example:

1. ¢ (cent) - 1 syllable
2. R.F.D. - 3 syllables
3. 1918 (nineteen eighteen) - 4 syllables