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What does a PIN Number and a PDF Format have in common? They both suffer from RAS Syndrome, also known as Redundant Acronym Syndrome. It’s when an acronym is followed by a word that is also part of the acronym, and there’s quite a couple of them. Full details and more examples on Sketchplanations: https://sketchplanations.com/ras-syndrome 42 comments
@stephaniewalter haha. I was reading Mastodon in reverse, as you do, and was about to reply with exactly that Sketchplanations post. @stephaniewalter ... but saying PI Number implies 3141 is the only valid input  @Sroot it could also be the number you call when you need some investigation done @stephaniewalter   @fredbrooker @stephaniewalter nobody, but everyone does want to add either 'number' or (in my country) 'code', so it would probably have been better to choose a name and acronym that doesn't include either of those. @fredbrooker @stephaniewalter In my language we say pincode (it's even in the dictionary), probably for the same reason a lot of people say pin number: acronyms tend to become words themselves, losing their direct connection to the original expanded words. Sometimes it then feels more natural to have a disambiguating signifier, in this case number of code, even if it is, strictly speaking, superfluous. I consider it a form of language evolution. @fredbrooker @jelte yeah, I think you have them in any language. @stephaniewalter actually HIV virus and COVID disease are not good examples, as both HIV and COVID are also names, not just acronyms @stephaniewalter  @stephaniewalter Holy shit i'm so sorry, My brain tricked me I read the second format as "file". 🙏 So take this " JWT Token" @shino I'll accept the token if it can be converted into chocolate or sushis ^^ More seriously: don't worry I too had to double check that F was Format and not File. So technically "PDF File" is not one of them, but "PDF Format" is ^^ @stephaniewalter is there a version to define redundancy in two languages, such as “mojo dojo casa house”?    @stephaniewalter also in automotive terminology: DSG-Getriebe (DE) / DSG-Gearbox (EN) - a type of dual clutch semi automatic gearbox found in VW, Audi, Skoda and SEAT cars DSG == Direktschaltgetriebe (DE) / Direct Shift Gearbox (EN) so the word gearbox is repeated twice in common use in both languages @stephaniewalter Is Redundant RAS or RRAS Syndrome also a thing, the prefix variety, or is that just RAS Syndrome too? @stephaniewalter it reminds me of the « RAID array » joke, where one points out the « array » is redundant, and the other replies it’s what the ‘R’ stands for   @stephaniewalter and one can duplicate the syndrome by combining languages - my favourite was the ad for a “Rechner mit LCD Display Anzeige” (liquid crystal display display display) |
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(fun fact: my grammar check actually tried to correct this post and tagged the PIN Number as "This phrase is redundant (‘N’ stands for ‘number’). Consider using “PIN”.")