Redundant usage of abbreviations (>_<)

[Inazuma]

Rant time~

The whole point of abbreviations is to speak more efficiently. They let us say a lot in less time. It's a very handy tool. For example, FBI instead of Federal Bureau of Investigations.

Even better than initialisms like FBI and CEO, we have acronyms that can be spoken like regular words. For example, PIN instead of Personal Identification Number. Scuba, NASA, and MADD are some other examples.

Now what bothers me is when people repeat the last part of an abbreviation. PIN number, ATM machine, RPG game, and FPS shooter are some of the ones I hear often. I even see big companies and professional journalists making these mistakes.

I have bought gift cards from a multimillion dollar company that actually said "PIN Number" on them. How sad.

I've read major gaming news websites that say RPG game. It's like they don't even know what RPG means.

For anyone reading this who makes these kinds of mistakes, I want to ask if you actually know what these abbreviations stand for. I figure if someone knows that ATM means Automated Teller Machine, they would never say ATM machine because that doesn't make sense. Unless you are talking about a machine that builds ATMs, it's just incorrect.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go enter my PIN number in the ATM machine and use the money to buy an RPG game and an FPS shooter. (^_^);

[J T]

Seriously, WTF fuck is wrong with these people?

[o.pwuaioc]

Like a lot of absent-minded mistakes, it doesn't both me that much. I'm guilty of saying ATM machine and PIN number a couple times, even though I well know what they stand for. When you hear it a lot, you get used to the error.

Also, why isn't this in the "ticked off/smile" thread?

[Inazuma]

Also, why isn't this in the "ticked off/smile" thread?

Mods, feel free to move this thread.

[hashiriya1]

The only one that bothers me is when people say "VIN Number". I am not the type of person to call them out, but I cringe a little inside when I hear it.

I've never heard anyone say "RPG game" or "FPS shooter" before. Perhaps I just wasn't paying attention.

[pepharytheworm]

Also, why isn't this in the "ticked off/smile" thread?

You forgot to put the key word "today" in the thread's title you mentioned. It is because he isn't stating something that just happened but that he continually sees.

[Ziggy]

Ah, I definitely remember talking about this very thing in some random thread. I think Niode brought it up.

LED light.

[Inazuma]

I've never heard anyone say "RPG game" or "FPS shooter" before. Perhaps I just wasn't paying attention.

http://rpgpokemon.com/index.html

http://www.666gamer.com/play-188-Real-L ... ooter.html

[emwearz]

I see FPS Shooter written sometimes, but never spoken (As most people would just say First Person Shooter), ATM machine and PIN number are the two that I always feel like correcting people with.

[CRTGAMER]

Man this is a SNAFU
You should see what the military has for acronyms, it'll make your head swim. Also the extra cuss words that were invented.