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15 Redundant Words That Make You Sound Ignorant

By Reader's Digest EditorsBy Reader's Digest EditorsUpdated: May 06, 2021

Writer Stanley Newman coined the term “RAS syndrome” in 2001 as a diagnosis for anyone who adds an extra word to the end of common acronyms like “ATM machine” (Automatic Teller Machine machine), making the whole phrase redundant and repetitive. You’ll be surprised how often examples of Repetitive Acronym Syndrome come up.

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PIN number textPhoto: Reader's Digest

Don’t say: “PIN number”

“PIN number” translates to Personal Identification Number number.

2 / 15
LCD display textPhoto: Reader's Digest

Don’t say: “LCD display”

“LCD display” translates to Liquid Crystal Display display.

3 / 15
PDF format textPhoto: Reader's Digest

Don’t say: “PDF format”

“PDF format” translates to Portable Document Format format.

4 / 15
ICBM missile textPhoto: Reader's Digest

Don’t say: “ICBM missile”

“ICBM missile” translates to Intercontinental Ballistic Missile missile.

5 / 15
ISBN Number textPhoto: Reader's Digest

Don’t say: “ISBN number”

“ISBN number” translates to International Standard Book Number number.

6 / 15
SAT TestPhoto: Reader's Digest

Don’t say: “SAT test”

“SAT test” translates to Scholastic Aptitude Test test.

7 / 15
GRE Exam textPhoto: Reader's Digest

Don’t say: “GRE exam”

“GRE exam” translates to Graduate Record Examination examination.

8 / 15
VIN Number textPhoto: Reader's Digest

Don’t say: “VIN number”

“VIN number” translates to Vehicle Identification Number number.

9 / 15
UPC Code textPhoto: Reader's Digest

Don’t say: “UPC code”

“UPC code” translates to Universal Product Code code.

10 / 15
GOP Party textPhoto: Reader's Digest

Don’t say: “GOP party”

“GOP party” translates to Grand Old Party party.

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ATM Machine is an example of RAS SyndromePhoto: Reader's Digest

Don’t say: “ATM machine”

“ATM machine” translates to Automatic Teller Machine machine.

12 / 15
CNN news network textPhoto: Reader's Digest

Don’t say: “CNN news network”

“CNN news network” translates to Cable News Network news network.

13 / 15
AC current/DC currentPhoto: Reader's Digest

Don’t say: “AC current” or “DC current”

“AC current” / “DC current” translates to Alternating Current current / Direct Current current.

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DMZ zone textPhoto: Reader's Digest

Don’t say: “DMZ zone”

“DMZ zone” translates to Demilitarized Zone zone.

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Please RSVP textPhoto: Reader's Digest

Don’t say: “Please RSVP”

“Please RSVP” translates to Please Respond Please (RSVP is short for the French, répondez s’il vous plaît).

Originally Published: February 02, 2017
Reader's Digest
Originally Published on Reader's Digest