Seeking 10 More Redundant Phrases—Help Me Hit 1000!

37 thoughts on “Seeking 10 More Redundant Phrases—Help Me Hit 1000!”

1. tuna fish

2. Respondents dissect, edit, cut, decimate, and destroy wordiness. (Source: my own blog, as Marcia pointed out!)

3. Thanks, Sherri. FYI to anyone reading this, Sherri’s blog is “Growing the Write Way”: https://sherrihenkin.wordpress.com

4. Laurie, Thanks for the suggestion. That one’s in the book. Try again!

5. Hot water heater

6. Twitter user @tiredtvterms is collecting a bunch of redundant / cliche phrases from television land.

7. Thanks, Jim. Got that one already, too. It’s tough to come up with new ones.

8. Thanks, Ed. I’ll check those out.

9. Where can I find this collection of terms? Are they just tweeted one at a time, or is a list available?

10. Hi, Marcia,
    From the growing folder of infelicities, some simple and some beautifully not, that I sent you earlier. I wish I knew how to italicize in this format!
    Penny
    1) .…the second oldest of five children…
    2) The lure of the locker room — the fellas, as Magic Johnson said when asked what he would miss about playing — held little appeal. (I love the balance, here, with “lure” at one end and “appeal” at the other.)
    3) … the bride and groom hurriedly scurried …
    4) … the decision to allow the first-ever sorority in the neighborhood could set a precedent for generations to come…
    5) Recommended Action:
    It is recommended that the Committee review and comment on the components of the recommended policy for going forward with the management and operation of animal care and control operations in Evanston. Upon approval by the Committee of these recommendations, it is recommended that the City Manager be directed to negotiate a one year agreement with C.A.R.E. for the operation of the Evanston Animal Shelter pursuant to these policies.

11. The expectant mother gave birth on the side of the road.

12. Thanks for the riches, Penny.

13. You’ll find plenty here: http://www.weaselwords.com.au/

14. Let’s all gather together as a group.

15. Thanks, Greg. That one’s in the book. Makes me smile every time I hear it, though.

16. Thanks, Dey. Got to love a site named Weasel Words.

17. Aha—I see how that stream works now, Ed. Love it. Thanks again.

18. “Already have”?

19. Examples of redundancy
    First discovered/invented
    Cut into two equal halves (a twofer!)
    Totally unique
    unexpected surprise
    more completely inhibited (this drug more completely inhibits this pathway)

20. Lotta, I could see this phrase being redundant. Often, though, “already” implies meaning that “have” alone doesn’t. (“I have ten dollars” states a fact. “I already have ten dollars” implies a response to something.) Thanks for suggesting it, though. I’ve added your name to the “Acknowledgments” section for contributing. Let me know your last name, please, if you’d like me to include it.

21. One expression I hear quite frequently (through gritted teeth) is: “at 7 AM in the morning” (or with hour variants).

22. Hi Marcia — nice to e-connect!
    How about “luxury yacht” which I’ve heard repeatedly over the past 12 hours.

23. It’s going on the list. Thanks, Darcy.

24. YAY!!!! I made the list — that made my day

25. Hi again, Marcia. It’s hard to stop thinking about redundance:
    1) an eternity ring (okay, call me a curmudgeon)
    2) a solution of salt and water
    3) ripe for the picking
    4) a caryatid in female form
    5) icy sleet (in this part of the country, just “sleet” doesn’t cut it).

26. Penny, I know what you mean. I love “caryatid in female form.” Just added it.

27. Penny, I know what you mean. I love “caryatid in female form.” Just added it. The other four, too.

28. It’s on the list. Thanks, Susan.

29. Helen, Had some and added some. Thanks! You’re on the list now, too.

30. Julian, That one makes me smile. I have “6 am in the morning” in the book, so I can’t add this to the list, but you’re on the list now.

31. Darcy, Yes, your phrase is on the list now, as is your name.

32. – Navigate back – Click Exit to exit the screen and navigate back to the XYZ screen.
    – Revert Back – Please revert back for any questions.
    – Old adage.
    – In case if you -In case if you have any questions, let me know.
    – Can you please repeat again?
    – Completely eradicate
    – Climb up
    – Clearly define
    – PDF format
    – Linked together, join together
    – ATM machine
    – Current Trend
    – Centers around
    – Evidence (to suppor that)
    – Express regret
    – Heavy emphasis

33. Hi, Marcia,
    Two more:
    — forcible rape
    — … an avid cat fanatic.
    Penny

34. Thanks, Penny.

35. Thanks, Vijji. All good ones.

36. I call redundant phrases “baby puppies”. Substitute any term for young animals: baby kittens, baby foals, baby chicks, baby fawns….

37. Mark, That’s perfect. Once you get started with “baby puppies,” there’s no stopping.

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