Robert M. Gary wrote:
The other strange thing ATC does when you are doing "practice" (i.e.
VFR) approachs is say "maintain VFR". I laugh everytime. You are always
VFR unless ATC gives you a clearance otherwise. VFR is flight rules,
not flight conditions. They probably should say "Maintain VFR
conditions" (i.e. "I'm not letting you go in the clouds").

You could be right. I prefer to think they say that to provide a redundant
reminder that you're not on a clearance, just to avoid a possible misunderstanding.

"maintain VFR" seems to be used redundantly that way in other contexts, too. For
example:

VFR pilot: "N12345 is leaving 3000 for 2000.
ATC: "Maintain VFR"

I interpret that as ATC's way of saying "you're not on a clearance, so you don't
need my permission to descend, and just in case you thought you were on a
clearance, you're not."