Annoying Redundant Phrases and Acronyms

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LLigetfa

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Probably the most common redundancy on this plumbing forum is "hot water heater". I mean, if the water is hot, it doesn't need to be heated. PRV valve is another one.

The electrical forum has a few redundant acronyms too. AC current (alternating current current) and her sister DC current. GFI breaker (Ground Fault Interrupter breaker) is a close cousin. The redundancy is sometimes called RAS syndrome (Redundant Acronym Syndrome syndrome). They are used (abused) everywhere.

A few more that come to mind are:
ABS system - Antilock Braking System system
ADSL line - Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line line
ATM machine - Automated Teller Machine machine
CAD design - Computer-Aided Design design
CNN news network - Cable News Network news network
GMT time - Greenwich Mean Time time
GOP party - Grand Old Party party
HIV virus - Human Immunodeficiency Virus virus
HTML language - Hypertext Markup Language language
ISBN number - International Standard Book Number number
ISDN network - Integrated Services Digital Network network
LAN network - Local Area Network network
LCD display - Liquid Crystal Display display
LED light - Light Emitting Diode light
PIN number - Personal Identification Number number
RAM memory - Random-Access Memory memory
SAT test - Scholastic Aptitude Test test
SCSI interface - Small Computer System Interface interface
UPC code - Universal Product Code code
VIN number - Vehicle Identification Number number
 

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This probably isn't one that is so much written as it is verbal. It is, " you know."
I actually, start to count how many times a person says it while talking to me. I don't even hear another word, and lose what they are saying because I get caught up on the, " you know."

Or, " you know what I mean." Drives me nuts.

Great post by the way!
 

Ballvalve

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PRV is the worst because it has a few meanings.

TP valve

Lets start to use ET for expansion tank since it gets so much trouble here.

And someone will start FS for fire sprinklers soon.
 
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LLigetfa

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Ja, PRV could stand for Pressure Relief Valve or it could mean Pressure Regulating Valve but that's just ambiguity, not redundancy. It only becomes redundant when they also put the word "valve" after it.

TP valve, AKA T&P valve, AKA TPR valve is neither ambiguious nor redundant.

ET and FS I won't touch if you know what I mean.
 

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FIP(s): Abbreviation for female pipe threads.
GPH: Gallons Per Hour.
H.P.: Abbreviation for "horse power."
H.T.: Abbreviation for "hose threads." Garden hose threads are different than standard pipe threads. They are much more coarse and are 0.75 - 11.5 NH (normal hose). The 0.75 is the nominal diameter (3/4 inch) and the 11.5 is the number of threads per inch.
I.D.: Abbreviation for "inside diameter. In plumbing most pipes are sized by "nominal" (approx.) I.D. which means that when plumbers say 3/4" pipe for example it generally means that the outside diameter is wider than 3/4".
IPS: Generally an abbreviation for "iron pipe size." Sometimes it means male pipe threads.
MHT: Abbreviation for male hose threads.
FU: Could mean many.
PEX: Abbreviation for Polyethylene Plastic Material (stronger than, P.E.)

HFSC: Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition
HFSC: Home Fire Safety Checks

TX: Tank, Expansion/Contraction
 
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PRV is the worst because it has a few meanings.

TP valve

Lets start to use ET for expansion tank since it gets so much trouble here.



And someone will start FS for fire sprinklers soon.

You can use it but, the correct abbreviation is, TX=Tank, Expansion/Contraction
 
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