Tautology: Doubletalk

Tautology is saying the same thing twice, which is either unnecessary or a good way to fill up space and gain time. It also means qualifying a word that doesn’t need qualifying: brutal violence, dangerous minefield, dreaded dictator, horrific disaster (so much worse than gentle violence, safe minefields, cuddly dictators and pleasant disasters).


"The present tangle of wires in my living room ... is one of the terrible banes of my life. ... There is something about our times that mean that those who articulate rage with extra lashings of venom have found their hour." Writes Michael Gove in the Times, today 11 May 2009. (A bane is already something pretty terrible, and lashings of ginger beer means lots and lots.)

"random anarchy will rule the soulless boulevards." Simon Jenkins predicts the fate of Dubai in the Guardian, 20 March 2009. (Anarchy is not known for its rules and regulations.)

absolute perfection

apocryphal folklore

close proximity

complete monopoly

cooperate together

descending down

extend out

false illusions

free gift

future plans

important milestone

initial starting point

inundated by floods

it would be nice to have the option of an alternative choice

orbit around

past history

prior warning

safe haven

temporary blip

terrible tragedy

two-way dialogue

visual appearance

vocal songs