How do you say ABD (all but dissertation)?

Question

do you say the individual letters or do you say it like it's a word?

Answer 1

You say the individual letters: A. B. D.

Just like Ph. D., but not quite. :)

Answer 2

Try not to say it. ABD means "all but dissertation" - in other words, it is a way of describing someone who tried to get to be a PhD but couldn't hack it. The dissertation is the only hard part of getting a PhD - the rest is just taking a few courses, no different than being an undergraduate. But doing the dissertation requires real research and creative thought. It is what makes PhD respected. So, an "ABD" is someone who tried and failed. Using this as a title is basically an insult to the person reminding them of their humiliation.