AER is an acronym for Acronym Expansion Redundancy. AER redundancy
occurs when an acronym is used with part of its own expansion. Some
examples from real life are listed below.
AC (DC) current
Alternating (Direct) Current current
ATM machine
Automated Teller Machine machine
COFF format
Common Object File Format format
DAT tape
Digital Audio Tape tape
DLTtape (a trademark of Quantum Corporation)
Digital Linear Tape tape
ELF format
Executable and Linking Format format
HIV virus
Human Immunodeficiency Virus virus
HPV virus
Human Papillomavirus virus
ICU unit
Intensive Care Unit unit
IP protocol
Internet Protocol protocol
IRA account
Independent Retirement Account account
LCD display
Liquid Crystal Display display
LED diode
Light-Emitting Diode diode
MRI imaging
Magnetic Resonance Imaging imaging
NIC card
Network Interface Card card
PIN number
Personal Identification Number number
PPP protocol
Point-To-Point Protocol protocol
RBL list
Real-time Black-hole List list
RAM memory
Random-Access Memory memory
SAT test
Perhaps of greater historical than current interest. Originally
the Scholastic Aptitude Test test, then (because it did not actually
measure aptitude) the Scholastic Assessment Test test, then the SAT
Reasoning Test test, and now simply the SAT test. Irregardful, The College Board (the trademark
owner) refers to the test as "The SAT", not "The SAT Test".
