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Post by tomself1 on Jun 17, 2008 19:16:59 GMT
I was reading many science textbooks for my upcoming examinations, and they constantly say "AC Current". Is this grammatically correct? AC stands for Alternating Current, so saying AC current is the same as saying Alternating Current Current. This is similar to saying the ATM Machine, which means the Automated Teller Machine Machine, which is grammatically incorrect. Any comments would be much appreciated.
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Post by Trevor on Jun 17, 2008 20:12:04 GMT
And PIN number, and many more.
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Post by Tone on Jun 17, 2008 21:07:33 GMT
I don't agree with the "grammatically incorrect" judgement there. Both "PIN" and "ATM" are systems for which a number or a machine are necessary for someone to use them. If, for example, they'd called the system PIC (= Personal Identification Code), and used a number as the "code", would those who object also object to "PIC number"? I think not. Or "Automatic Teller Interface" giving ATI machine?) And "AC current" comes from the fact that many Americans tend to use the term "current" where (in the Old Country) we might more normally use "electricity" (or even "electric"  ). So, useful terminology -- Yes. Tautology -- No (unless you are trying very hard to claim one.)  Tone |
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Post by Pete on Jun 17, 2008 21:23:30 GMT
When the Allied Irish Bank changed its name to AIB, its signs referred to it as "AIB Bank".
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Post by Pete on Jun 17, 2008 21:24:18 GMT
I don't agree with the "grammatically incorrect" judgement there. Both "PIN" and "ATM" are systems for which a number or a machine are necessary for someone to use them. If, for example, they'd called the system PIC (= Personal Identification Code), and used a number as the "code", would those who object also object to "PIC number"? I think not. Or "Automatic Teller Interface" giving ATI machine?) And "AC current" comes from the fact that many Americans tend to use the term "current" where (in the Old Country) we might more normally use "electricity" (or even "electric" ). So, useful terminology -- Yes. Tautology -- No (unless you are trying very hard to claim one.) Tone It's not tautology, it's simply repetition, surely. |
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Post by Paul Doherty on Jun 17, 2008 21:55:37 GMT
I've never understood your reasoning on this, Tone. The system isn't called PIN.
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Post by Twoddle on Jun 17, 2008 22:06:39 GMT
I've never understood your reasoning on this, Tone. Nor I, Tone, for the same reason as stated by Paul. Neither PIN nor ATM refers to a system: the first refers to a number and the second to a machine. No, indeed, I'd have had no objections to calling them a "PIC number" and an "ATI machine", but they weren't given those names: they were called "Personal Identification Number" and "Automatic Teller Machine", and to refer to a PIN number and an ATM machine is tautological (or repetitious) cobblers. |
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Post by Verbivore on Jun 18, 2008 0:39:19 GMT
tomself1: Welcome! Although most of us here have long since agreed to disagree with Tone on similar matters, I say you are right in questioning the correctness of AC Current. I'm not sure, however, that it's a tautology *, as a tautology is more than mere repetition of the same expression: it's the use of multiple descriptors that mean much the same as each other, e.g. a ginormous, humungous, whopping great 10-ton elephant. For safety's sake, I suggest you write either AC or alternating current / Alternating Current (and perhaps alternate the two forms for variety in your exam answers / essays). Be sure to use the full term in the first instance - perhaps even with the initialism in parentheses immediately following, thus: Blah blah blah Alternating Current (AC) blah blah ... .Good luck. |
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Post by Vadim on Jun 18, 2008 7:28:05 GMT
Hello and welcome to the board, tomself1. I hope you continue to bring (now I am only assuming!) the average age of the board down. Currently, the Queen is considering sending "the board" a telegram! |
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Post by Twoddle on Jun 18, 2008 7:45:13 GMT
Hello and welcome to the board, tomself1. I hope you continue to bring (now I am only assuming!) the average age of the board down. Currently, the Queen is considering sending "the board" a telegram! Young whippersnapper! |
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Post by Dave M on Jun 18, 2008 8:32:34 GMT
Indeed, Twod. I'm now so old that I can't remember when last I heard of a whipper ever having been snapped.
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Post by Geoff on Jun 18, 2008 12:19:03 GMT
I think my father was the last person I heard use that expression, and he's not been with us for some forty years.
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Post by Twoddle on Jun 18, 2008 18:06:41 GMT
Hello and welcome to the board, tomself1. I hope you continue to bring (now I am only assuming!) the average age of the board down. Currently, the Queen is considering sending "the board" a telegram! By the way, who'll send the Queen a telegram if she makes it to her centenary? |
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Post by Barry on Jun 18, 2008 18:13:23 GMT
I don't think there'll be any shortage of well-wishers; I would imagine the Palace will be beset with telegrams (or whatever they call them then).
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Post by Alan Palmer on Jun 18, 2008 18:13:58 GMT
Why should the queen get a telegram when ordinary centenarians only get a telemessage? Especially as - they have to apply for them;
- the Post Office stopped telegrams years ago?
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).
