No matter how eloquent a speaker or savvy a wordsmith you are, you’re absolutely certain to say something redundant from time to time. In fact, “absolutely certain” is a redundant phrase, as are other common expressions such as “added bonus” and “unexpected surprise.”
Redundancies can get even sneakier with acronyms, shorthand versions of phrases usually made from the first letter of each word. Sometimes people tack on an extra word to an acronym, but that word is already contained within the acronym itself, which makes it redundant. Here’s a look at 10 of the most common redundant acronyms.
“ATM” stands for “automated (or automatic) teller machine,” which means adding the word “machine” is entirely unnecessary. These cash withdrawal devices date back to the 1960s, though it wasn’t until the mid-1970s that the acronym was commonly used. “ATM” appeared in an October 1975 edition of Changing Times personal finance magazine: “An ATM requires a much smaller investment than the construction of a full-fledged branch office.”
When you visit the ATM, you need to input your PIN number to access your account. But “PIN number” is redundant, given that “PIN” stands for “personal identification number.” PINs were invented back in 1966 (corresponding with the ability to access bank accounts through ATMs and telebanking), and one of the earliest printed examples of the term is redundant. A May 1976 copy of the Lincoln Star advised people to “choose your own PIN number when you establish your Money Service account.”
Many digital screens have liquid crystal displays, a technology that was conceived of in the late 1960s. Often this is abbreviated to just “LCD,” though people often tack on an extra “display” at the end, making it redundant. This acronym first appeared in print in a 1973 electronics magazine, as per the Oxford English Dictionary.
A PDF, or portable document format, is a type of computer file that was developed by Adobe to allow documents to be easily viewed across a wide variety of software and operating systems. There’s no need to say “PDF format,” given that “PDF” by itself is perfectly acceptable. However, in 1992, print appearances of “PDF” referred to “portable document files.” By 1996, “files” had switched to “format.”
DC Comics is known for its classic superheroes Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Flash. But did you know that “DC” stands for “Detective Comics,” which means that “DC Comics” is redundant? Detective Comics began publishing in 1937, and the name was shortened to just “DC” soon after.
“MLB” stands for “Major League Baseball,” so there’s no need to mention the sport as well. The same applies to any other major American sports league, such as the NFL (National Football League), NHL (National Hockey League), NBA (National Basketball Association), or WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association). In all of these instances, the acronym is more than enough.
“RSVP” is shorthand for the French phrase répondez s’il vous plaît, which translates to “respond, if you please.” Given that knowledge, you’ll understand that saying “RSVP” is enough, and tacking on an extra “please” is unnecessary. The acronym was first used in this context by Londoners around 1825.
Before applying to colleges, high school students usually take the SAT test to determine their educational prowess. But saying “test” might be tarnishing that display, given that “SAT” stands for “Scholastic Aptitude Test.” The SAT started in 1926, though according to the Oxford English Dictionary, printed citations only go as far back as 1961. The exam remains an important part of the college admissions process.
Almost all commercially sold products have a 12-digit barcode on the packaging that can be scanned to bring up the price. This is the UPC (universal product code), so you needn’t refer to it as the “UPC code.” The very first UPC ever scanned was for a pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum in 1974 — the same year the acronym appeared in print.
We’re not talking about the rock band — we’re talking about alternating current and direct current, which can be shortened to “AC” and “DC,” respectively (although the rock band did reportedly name itself after the electrical currents, due to their electrifying sound). AC was first discovered in the 1830s, and DC was developed by Thomas Edison in the 1870s. Obviously context is key, because it’s easy to confuse “AC” for “air conditioning” or “DC” for the comic book brand. But despite these potential mix-ups, adding on the word “current” will make both acronyms redundant.
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