“Get that up on that mistakes blog of yours this second!” retorted a friend when I used the expression ‘PIN number’ in an email in passing.
It took me a few moments to work it out.
A PIN is, of course, a Personal Identification Number, and so is a ‘number’ by definition. You don’t need the extra ‘number’.
Likewise, and of particular interest and relevance to writers, are ISSN and ISBN – don’t tag a ‘number’ to those either, as they are International Standard Serial Number and International Standard Book Number, respectively.
PDF format, ADSL line, DVD disc and ATM machine – also tautologies, one and all, and you’re bright enough to work out why.
Wonderfully, this mistake even has a name, which comes with its own built-in irony – RAS Syndrome. That’s Redundant Acronym Syndrome Syndrome.
RAS Syndrome is very common in speech, of course, and nothing much to worry about in writing (unless you have a pedantic pal): it won’t cost you anything, an editor may not even notice it, and a sub-editor will cut the superfluous word if you do insert it in finished copy. Still, always nice to get it right, though.
Who’s got some others?
I remember reading in a magazine once that when buying a car, readers should check the VIN number on the vehicle and the log book to ensure they match.
(VIN = Vehicle Identification Number)
When I worked in a bank, all employees were issued with a UIN number (a Unique Individual Number number). The tautology between Unique and Individual was up for discussion at times, as well!
I never really thought of it like that but of course, you are absolutely right. All total redundancies! I cannot think of more but I'm sure there must be many…
Stephen Fry said 'PIN number' on that Greatest Gadgets show last night. There were two shocked faces in our house, I can tell you.
NGS Scheme (National Gardens Scheme)
But which sounds right?
'S/he opens her garden as part of the NGS' or,
'S/he opens her garden as part of the NGS scheme'
It's ironic isn't it – we create acronyms because they're shorter than the full name or title, then because they're so short they don't sound right so we extend them into tautologies.
Ha – thanks all. Love the doubly errant UINN! And very perceptive comment, Patsy. Any others?
Just come across another one today. SAT Test. (SAT stands for Standard Assessment Test.)
Whoops. ADSL not ASDL. Corrected! Well done anonymous and eagle-eyed mistake-spotter…
What about acronyms you need to qualify to make sense, but no one does? You take your car for its MOT. Its Ministry of Transport. Where's the word Test?
Good question, Womag. Have Tweeted. Are you Tweeting yet?
What about RSVP Please when the SVP means please in French
Yeah, good one – original. But not sure it's that common, is it? Not a mistake many make, I don't think, but maybe you've seen it more?
Am not on Twitter. Am resisting!