[net.nlang] Is this in error?

ag5@pucc-k (Henry Mensch) (01/03/85)

<<>>

	While preparing invitations for a fraternity function, I was
reviewing the text which I was to inscribe upon each card.  The final
line reads "Please R.S.V.P. by <date> at <phone-number>"

	Is not the word "please" superfluous here?

	Replies by mail, please...

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mcdonald@smu.UUCP (01/06/85)

Depends.

If you want to treat it as a real abbreviation, then yes, it is superfluous.

If you want to use it as an English word ("Have you RSVP'd yet?") then it
isn't.  I think this has become an acronym and we all know how much they
mean.

If you want to be formally correct, go to the library and look in Emily
Post.  Or Miss Manners. 

						McD

robison@eosp1.UUCP (Tobias D. Robison) (01/09/85)

>If you want to use it as an English word ("Have you RSVP'd yet?") then it
>... has become an acronym and we all know how much they mean.

One of my teachers claimed that people tend to forget
what an acronym stands for, and therefore
what the acronym really means.

He suggested that one should always say the real
phrase, rather than the acronym, to guard against
this error.  If you try this advice, you may be in for
some surprises!

  - Toby Robison (not Robinson!)
  {allegra, decvax!ittvax, fisher, princeton}!eosp1!robison