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August 03, 2005
RAS syndrome
One thing that has often bugged me a little is when I hear people talk about an "ATM machine", which if you think about it a little, is kinda stupid because if you expand the acronym then what you are actually saying is "automatic teller machine machine." Another example that I must confess even I am guilty of using is the phrase "PIN number" Today I've realised that there is a name for this kind of thing - R.A.S syndrome - the Redundant Acronym Syndrome syndrome (also known as RAP phrases = Redundant Acronym Phrases phrases)
This is a syndrome that plagues our society, with hundreds of examples in everyday use :
- PIN number
- ATM machine
- KFC chicken
- HIV virus
- NIV version
- NLT translation
- LAN network
- RAM memory
- VHF frequency
- EBV virus
- LPG gas
- DVD disc
- SAM missile
- GST tax
For more information about this serious problem, see the Wikepedia article. It's the sort of thing that, once you become aware of it, you'll start to notice the symptoms more and more. So be on your guard, and if you come up with any other good example please let us know. Anyway I've got some more work to do in my GP practice so I'll leave it in your hands for now.
