Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Ras Syndrome shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Ras Syndrome offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Ras Syndrome at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Ras Syndrome? Wrong! If the Ras Syndrome is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Ras Syndrome then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Ras Syndrome? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Ras Syndrome and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Ras Syndrome wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Ras Syndrome then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Ras Syndrome site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Ras Syndrome, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Ras Syndrome, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
The term
RAS syndrome refers to the use of one of the words that make up an initialism or
acronym as well as the abbreviation itself, thus in effect repeating that word. It stands for "Redundant Acronym Syndrome syndrome," and is itself a Self-referential humor example of a redundant acronym.
Technically, this
redundancy (language) is a form of
Tautology (rhetoric), and in many cases a
pleonasm.
Origin
The term "RAS syndrome" was coined in 2001 by the
New Scientist magazine. The term "PNS syndrome" ("PIN Number Syndrome syndrome," or "Personal Identification Number Number Syndrome syndrome"), coined by Usenet users, is used as commonly as RAS Syndrome, and in fact pre-dates the coining of "RAS Syndrome".http://groups.google.com/group/uk.net.news.config/msg/c47cc287ef8c6f33?dmode=sourceOther Nonce word coinages continue to arise. The terms themselves are occasionally referred to as "RAP phrases" ("Redundant Acronym Phrases phrases"). Redundant Acronym Phrases – a collection of common examples of such phrases.
Examples
Automated teller machine machineAutomated Teller Machine machine
Human immunodeficiency virus virusHuman Immunodeficiency Virus virus
Personal identification number numberPersonal Identification Number number.
Reasons for use
The linguistic explanation for RAS is that acronyms (such as
laser) are treated as regular words (usually nouns), not as shorthand for longer phrases.
Some occurrences are in the interest of clarity; for example, when discussing a mainframe computer's requirements, the initialism "AC" might refer to
air conditioning or alternating current depending on the context; the redundant phrase "AC current" is used by some to distinguish them, although the phrase "alternating current" is clear, correct, and not redundant. Also, the phrase "AC current" distinguishes from "AC voltage". The phrase "CSS style sheets" can also reduce ambiguity, where in certain contexts CSS could also refer to the
content-scrambling system used on DVD video titles.
In the United Kingdom, most companies have their electrical appliances regularly checked for safety. This process is known as
Portable Appliance Testing. However, it is almost universally abbreviated to "PAT testing". Presumably this is to avoid confusion with PA testing, or simply because it sounds a little ambiguous to say that one's occupation is "PAT". Sometimes similar phrases are not actually redundant; for example, a "redundant RAID" may in fact be a backup RAID in the system being described.
Acronyms and initialisms from foreign languages are also often analyzed as un-expandable nouns when they are not translated. For example, in French, "le protocole IP" (the IP protocol) is often used, and "HIV" is usually said either "le VIH" (in French, adjectives usually come after nouns) or "le virus HIV". In English, "Please RSVP" (please 'please respond') is often used.
Another justification is that many acronyms and initialisms are
trademarks, and trademark law generally treats trademarks as adjectives, which should be used with a generic noun. Examples of correct usage include "Spam (food) luncheon meat", "
Allied Irish Banks" and "CNN network".
Some speakers would prefer that the expansion of the acronym/initialism be used in situations where disambiguation or clarity is needed: "cascading style sheets" instead of "CSS style sheets", "alternating current" instead of "AC current", etc. However, some people may be more familiar with the acronym than the expansion, leading to potential for confusion.
See also
References
The term
RAS syndrome refers to the use of one of the words that make up an
initialism or acronym as well as the abbreviation itself, thus in effect repeating that word. It stands for "Redundant Acronym Syndrome syndrome," and is itself a Self-referential humor example of a redundant acronym.
Technically, this redundancy (language) is a form of Tautology (rhetoric), and in many cases a
pleonasm.
Origin
The term "RAS syndrome" was coined in 2001 by the
New Scientist magazine. The term "PNS syndrome" ("PIN Number Syndrome syndrome," or "Personal Identification Number Number Syndrome syndrome"), coined by
Usenet users, is used as commonly as RAS Syndrome, and in fact pre-dates the coining of "RAS Syndrome".http://groups.google.com/group/uk.net.news.config/msg/c47cc287ef8c6f33?dmode=sourceOther
Nonce word coinages continue to arise. The terms themselves are occasionally referred to as "RAP phrases" ("Redundant Acronym Phrases phrases"). Redundant Acronym Phrases – a collection of common examples of such phrases.
Examples
Automated teller machine machineAutomated Teller Machine machine
Human immunodeficiency virus virusHuman Immunodeficiency Virus virus
Personal identification number numberPersonal Identification Number number.
Reasons for use
The linguistic explanation for RAS is that acronyms (such as laser) are treated as regular words (usually nouns), not as shorthand for longer phrases.
Some occurrences are in the interest of clarity; for example, when discussing a mainframe computer's requirements, the initialism "AC" might refer to
air conditioning or alternating current depending on the context; the redundant phrase "AC current" is used by some to distinguish them, although the phrase "alternating current" is clear, correct, and not redundant. Also, the phrase "AC current" distinguishes from "AC voltage". The phrase "CSS style sheets" can also reduce ambiguity, where in certain contexts CSS could also refer to the
content-scrambling system used on DVD video titles.
In the United Kingdom, most companies have their electrical appliances regularly checked for safety. This process is known as
Portable Appliance Testing. However, it is almost universally abbreviated to "PAT testing". Presumably this is to avoid confusion with PA testing, or simply because it sounds a little ambiguous to say that one's occupation is "PAT". Sometimes similar phrases are not actually redundant; for example, a "redundant RAID" may in fact be a backup RAID in the system being described.
Acronyms and initialisms from foreign languages are also often analyzed as un-expandable nouns when they are not translated. For example, in French, "le protocole IP" (the IP protocol) is often used, and "HIV" is usually said either "le VIH" (in French, adjectives usually come after nouns) or "le virus HIV". In English, "Please RSVP" (please 'please respond') is often used.
Another justification is that many acronyms and initialisms are
trademarks, and trademark law generally treats trademarks as adjectives, which should be used with a generic noun. Examples of correct usage include "
Spam (food) luncheon meat", "
Allied Irish Banks" and "
CNN network".
Some speakers would prefer that the expansion of the acronym/initialism be used in situations where disambiguation or clarity is needed: "cascading style sheets" instead of "CSS style sheets", "alternating current" instead of "AC current", etc. However, some people may be more familiar with the acronym than the expansion, leading to potential for confusion.
See also
References
