'The 10 worst acronyms if you're a pedant (grrr)' blog discussion

Former_MSE_Helen

This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's blog. Please read the blog first, as this discussion follows it.

Read Martin's "The 10 worst acronyms if you're a pedant (grrr)" Blog.

Please click 'post reply' to discuss below.

wanchai_2

A PIN code???? A personal identification number code???????? Noooooooooo Martin!!!!!! :eek:

I agree with them all - well, I've never heard of one or two :rotfl: but yes, the everyday ones get right up my nose! 'Please RSVP' is one of the worst.

ATM isn't a problem in Ireland - we call it 'the pass machine' (as one of the banks has a big PASS sign on theirs) or 'the hole in the wall'. :rotfl:

I also agree with the MOT point, have said that for years! :rolleyes:

madrabbi

You call yourself a pedant and then go on to misspell 'Pidgin'.

Whatever next, split infinitives?
This is the sort of nonsense up with which we shall not put. </Churchill>

Torry_Quine

The one that annoys me is SNP party. :mad:

Dave_C_2

I have to add CD Discs and DVD Discs

And for backups, DAT Tapes

Dave

hermante

Torry_Quine wrote: »

The one that annoys me is SNP party. :mad:

I have heard people say the Scottish SNP Party, the European EHIC card and your personal PIN number.

MX5huggy

SAM missile, Surface to Air Missile missile, probably helps to have 2 missiles, doubles your chance of success.

jamesd

The pedant in me finds your use of capitals painful. Not all of the acronyms are product names that should be using capitalised first letters. PIN should be "personal identification number", not "Personal Identification Number" because it is an acronym of a generic phrase, while "European Health Insurance Card" seems correctly capitalised.

PEP can be either Personal Equity Plan or personal equity plan depending on whether it's about the specific named product type or the generic concept of such a plan. CIA is a similar case, either the specific named agency or the general concept of such an agency.

Or maybe you know of a normative source which would agree or disagree and clarify correct English usage?

magpiecottage

I always got riled by Trustee Savings Bank Bank

anniecave

PAT testing ...

Kite2010

anniecave wrote: »

PAT testing ...

I was going to say that one.

Portable Appliance Testing testing.

Sounds like a roadie