Discussion Groups / ESL Teaching / June 2006

OK, this is a bit curious. I only wish I knew what kind of jerk came
after you for "automatic teller machine."

Let's talk about it:

Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition (American English)
http://www.m-w.com

Main Entry:ATM
Function:noun
Date:1976

: a computerized electronic machine that performs basic banking
functions (as handling check deposits or issuing cash withdrawals) -
called also automated teller machine, automatic teller, automatic
teller machine

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Compact Oxford English Dictionary: 3rd edition (British English)
http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/atm?view=uk

ATM

 · abbreviation

automated teller machine.

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The word "automated" used as an adjective is not commonly used in
English. "Automatic" is far more common, and in American English, ATMs
are quite often known as "automatic teller machines," as shown above.
The British have preferred to stick with the original, patented form of
this kinda-sorta British invention.

The "Automated Teller Machine" as shown above, made its first
appearance in the form we recognize it in 1973, according to Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_teller_machine

The term "automatic teller machine" was first recorded in 1977. The
term "automated teller" only dates back to 1981. (Webster's 11th
Collegiate)

"Automate" as a verb is derived from the noun, "automation," not the
other way round. Generally speaking, then, "automated" has to do with
processes that have been automated, or have undergone the process of
automation. These processes were once done manually. In the case of
ATMs, well, "tellers" used to be people, and there are still quite a
few of them left.

"Automatic" is far less specific. It is generally used for things, not
processes,

So you can see your confusion is based on a simple misunderstanding
that has hounded the term "ATM" practically since it was first coined.
In "automated teller machine," "automated" refers to the teller. In
"automatic teller machine," teller is used as a noun+noun collocation
and "automatic" refers to the machine.

Another point that should help is that "automate" as a verb has only
been around since 1974, "automation" as a noun since 1954. (Webster's
11th Collegiate)

"Automatic," on the other hand, has been around since 1784 (Webster's
11th Collegiate).

I hope this helps.