How many times we abbreviate and then expand a little of that ?

[ramani]

We often use superfluous language..

IT Technology - (Information Technology technology)
FD drive - (Floppy drive drive)
PDF format file - (Portable document format format file)
GIF file
DOS system
LIBOR rate - (London interbank offer rate rate)

and such words with tail expansions. May be others could add many more.



____________________________________________
ramani - (Subramanian.G)

http://winnersoft.coolfreepages.com/

 

[strongm]

I get your point, but:

I dont't think I've ever said "IT technology" or "PDF format file"

And I think we can let GIF go; the F stands for Format

 

[sleipnir214]

As an aside, there's a wonderful polysyllabic word to describe situations such as these: pleonasm

<facetious>
Welcome to the Department of Redundency Department!

And I suppose "LIBOR rate" could also be a nonpleonastic construct. If the LIBOR were changing, "LIBOR rate" would describe how quickly rate of change, wouldn't it?
</facetious>

This is what happens, I think, when an abbreviation or acronym becomes a word in and of itself.

Want the best answers? Ask the best questions!

TANSTAAFL!!

 

[SF0751]

What about:

ATM Machine (Automated Teller Machine Machine)
PIN Number (Personal Identification Number Number)

Susan
[sub]You have all the characteristics of a popular politician: a horrible voice, bad breeding, and a vulgar manner.[/sub]
[sup]Aristophanes, 424 B.C.[/sup]
[sup]Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.

 

[johnwm]

I always used FD Drive as Floppy Disk Drive (but then i remember when the disks were floppy (and 8")

________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please check out FAQ222-2244 first

'If we're supposed to work in Hex, why have we only got A fingers?'

 

[Bowers74]

Here are a few more:

ISBN number (International Standard Book Number)
UPC code (Universal Product Code)
AC current (Alternating Current)
HIV virus (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
SPF factor (Sun Protection Factor)


Peace!!

Mike

Didn't get the answers that you wanted? Take a look at FAQ219-2884

 

[KornGeek]

As some insight into why we (or at least I) do this, I personally use the phrase "pdf format" regularly. I never give any thought to what "pdf" means when I'm saying it. I'm trying to specify which format I'm using, so I add the "pdf" to the phrase. For me, "format" is the more important word, so to leave it out would make the statement (slightly) less clear.

For instance:
I converted the Word document to pdf format.

vs.

I converted the Word document to pdf.

I personally prefer the first style, even though it is redundant and repetitive. ;-)

 

[lespaul]

and I would say:

I converted the Word document to a pdf.



Leslie

 

[ChrisHunt]

Leslie's post highlights the real problem. These acronyms generally stand for a noun. Provided you use the abbreviation in the same way, you won't get the redundancy

"I tapped in my personal identification number and got my money from the automated teller machine"

"I tapped in my PIN and got my money from the ATM"

If you use the abbreviation as an adjective you need a (generally redundant) noun to apply it to

"I keep confusing my PIN number with my telephone number"

-- Chris Hunt

http://www.mcgonagall-online.org.uk

http://www.napitalia.org.uk

http://www.leicesteryha.org.uk

 

[NhaTrang]

Agreed with KornGeek. I sometimes say "We can convert .doc format to .pdf format and vice versa". It is hard to keep proper English, isn't it?

 

[jbicking]

How about VIN Number?

Jo Ann

 

[sleipnir214]

Here's another one....

"SCUBA gear"

Doesn't the "A" of "SCUBA" stand for "apparatus"?



Want the best answers? Ask the best questions!

TANSTAAFL!!

 

[CosmoKramer]

Here's a few more:

HTML language - Hypertext Markup Language

SCSI interface - Small Computer System Interface

ABS system - Antilock Braking System

LCD display - Liquid Crystal Display

UPC code - Universal Product Code

Hoc nomen meum verum non est.

 

[tlhawkins]

I got one,

I was reading this thread and it reminded me that last friday I heard a guy on the radio say it's TGIF friday. I changed the channel.

-Travis Hawkins

http://www.beachbumsoftware.com

 

[jcrater]

I hear "ASP page" constantly at work, when "ASP" (active server page) suffices.

 

[SteveGlo]

A scholarly friend told me that the hoi in hoi poloi means 'the' so people who say the hoi poloi ( i.e. the the people/masses/whatever ) reveal themselves to be pretentious twits. I personally cannot confirm if this is trur though.

 

[sleipnir214]

SteveGlo:
Your scholarly friend is right. See

http://www.yourdictionary.com/ahd/h/h0235500.html

Want the best answers? Ask the best questions!

TANSTAAFL!!

 

[SF0751]

From

http://dictionary.reference.com:

Hoi polloi is Greek for "the many."

Usage: Some argue that the definite article ("the") should not be used in front of "hoi polloi," as hoi means "the" in Greek. However, "the hoi polloi" has been used since the earliest recorded instances of the term in English, and it is considered correct by most authorities.

And from

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/hoipolloi.html:

Hoi polloi is Greek for “the common people,” but it is often misused to mean “the upper class” (does “hoi” make speakers think of “high” or "hoity-toity"?). Some urge that since “hoi” is the article “the hoi polloi” is redundant; but the general rule is that articles such as "the” and “a” in foreign language phrases cease to function as such in place names, brands, and catch phrases except for some of the most familiar ones in French and Spanish, where everyone recognizes “la"—for instance—as meaning “the.” “The El Nino” is redundant, but “the hoi polloi” is standard English.

Susan
Gramen artificiosum odi.

 

[sleipnir214]

Oops.

My last post should have read "Your scholarly friend is technically right."



Want the best answers? Ask the best questions!

TANSTAAFL!!

 

[SteveGlo]

SF0751 and sleipnir214

Brilliant explanations - I shall enjoy lording it over Mr Kitto when he is next pontificating at me. Now if someone can just explain what was going on between Wittgenstein and Popper.....

Steve