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RAS syndrome
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
RAS syndrome (Redundant Acronym Syndrome syndrome) is a common tendency to use one of the words that make up an acronym or initialism as well as the abbreviation itself, thus in effect repeating that word. "RAS syndrome" is itself a humorous example, coined in 2001 in New Scientist magazine.[1] The term PNS syndrome (PIN number syndrome syndrome), coined by Usenet users,[2] is used as commonly as RAS Syndrome,[original research?] and in fact pre-dates the coining of "RAS Syndrome".[3] Other nonce coinages continue to arise. The terms themselves are occasionally referred to as RAP phrases (Redundant Acronym Phrases phrases).[4]
Technically, this redundancy is a form of tautology, and in many cases a pleonasm.
Contents |
- ATM machine
- Automated teller machine machine
- HIV virus
- Human immunodeficiency virus virus
- PIN number
- Personal identification number number
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One explanation for RAS is that acronyms (such as laser) are treated as regular words.
Some occurrences are in the interest of clarity; for example, when discussing a mainframe computer's requirements, the acronym "AC" might refer to air conditioning or alternating current depending on the context; the redundant phrase "AC current" can be used to distinguish them. Also, the phrase "AC current" distinguishes from "AC voltage" (which, incidentally, is itself an acronym of dubious meaning: "alternating current voltage"). The phrase "CSS style sheets" can also reduce confusion, where in certain contexts CSS could also refer to the content-scrambling system used on DVD video titles. In addition, in many technical contexts, it is highly desirable to be as specific as possible, even at the cost of some off-putting redundancy. Combining the acronym with a noun identifying its class achieves clarity with economy of space and time. Also, for greater precision, a device may be specified according to its use, for example a "redundant RAID" may in fact be a backup RAID in the system being described. However, many people believe that if clarity is sufficiently important to justify the redundancy, the full phrase, rather than the acronym, should be used.
Acronyms from foreign languages are also often used this way when they aren't translated (and it works both ways: In French, "le protocole IP" (the IP protocol) is often used, especially since IP is used as a short for the IP Address. Also, the HIV is usually either said "Le VIH" or "Le virus HIV").
A final justification is that many acronyms and initialisms are trademarks, and trademark law generally treats trademarks as adjectives, which should be used with a generic noun. Examples of correct usage include "SPAM luncheon meat" and "CNN network".
- ^ "Feedback" (fee required), New Scientist, 2001-04-07, p. 108. Retrieved on December 8, 2006.
- ^ RAS syndrome newsgroup on Usenet (alternative free web acces using Google Groups)
- ^ http://groups.google.com/group/uk.net.news.config/msg/c47cc287ef8c6f33?dmode=source
- ^ Redundant Acronym Phrases – a collection of common examples of such phrases.