Rant o' the Day (as requested by sdavido)

[gnomi]

This one was a gimme. Push button, get rant. :-)



Unless you're talking about Asynchronous Transfer Mode, "ATM machine" is redundant. You see that "M" at the end of the acronym there? It stands for "machine." Saying "ATM machine" is saying "Automatic Teller Machine machine," and doesn't that sound silly?

While I'm on the topic, how about "PIN number." The "N" there at the end? It stands for "number." And "LCD display" is another one. The "D" stands for "display."

I'm reporting all ATM machines and their associated PIN numbers to the Department of Redundancy Department.

Comments

[batwrangler.livejournal.com]

While you're at it, please add ISBN numbers to that report.

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

Indeed. There seem to be a bunch of acronyms that end with N for "number" that are frequently spoken redundantly. I'm not sure why.

[angwantibo.livejournal.com]

Yes. PIN is Personal Identification Number. SSN Number irks me as well.

[neilfein.livejournal.com]

I've heard variations on this on several occasions: "...current with the latest cGMP practices", which acrolytes as "current with the latest Current Good Manufacturing Practices practices."

[somehedgehog.livejournal.com]

Another one that drove me crazy was "VISTA Volunteer," as in, "Volunteer in Service To America Volunteer." But when I told people "I'm a VISTA," people looked at me funny as if I'd said "I'm a happy good-vibe sunflower," and if I said, "I'm a Volunteer in Service to America," they looked at me like I was a pompous ass.

[half-double.livejournal.com]

"TCBY Yogurt" was almost enough to make me dump my stock.

[angwantibo.livejournal.com]

I used to work for ATI Technology, Inc. Yes, ATI stands for Advanced Technologies, Inc!

[jonbaker.livejournal.com]

Nabisco Biscuit?

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

Aiiiigh! Yes! That's one of my pet peeves... I've ranted to sdavido about it frequently. :-)