Style Weekly
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rosie right
But what to call these repetitious phrases? We certainly need to continue to call attention to and laugh at their silly and unnecessary use, and copy editors need to watch carefully for their inclusion in what might otherwise be fine essays.
Redundancy, according to the Web site www.xrefer.com, came from the Latin redundantia and is a synonym for pleonasm. Throughout his article in Verbatim, Harold J. Ellner uses pleonasms for unnecessary repetitions. Perhaps we could do that, but somehow I don't believe the word will replace redundancy, simply because it is unfamiliar to most of us. Perhaps the best we can do is to take note of the fact that the word redundancy has a second and unpleasant meaning, and try to work for the elimination of its use as a description of people who lose their jobs.
From reader Bill Jordan comes the report of a sign he saw on Route 360 on his way to the river: "Get Gas, Eat Here." Mr. Jordan is emphatic in his desire to skip any meals at that pit stop.
Let Rosie hear from you by mail (1707 Summit Ave., Suite 201, Richmond, Va. 23230); by telephone ((804)358-0825, ext 322); or by e-mail (repps@styleweekly.com).
Redundancy, according to the Web site www.xrefer.com, came from the Latin redundantia and is a synonym for pleonasm. Throughout his article in Verbatim, Harold J. Ellner uses pleonasms for unnecessary repetitions. Perhaps we could do that, but somehow I don't believe the word will replace redundancy, simply because it is unfamiliar to most of us. Perhaps the best we can do is to take note of the fact that the word redundancy has a second and unpleasant meaning, and try to work for the elimination of its use as a description of people who lose their jobs.
From reader Bill Jordan comes the report of a sign he saw on Route 360 on his way to the river: "Get Gas, Eat Here." Mr. Jordan is emphatic in his desire to skip any meals at that pit stop.
Let Rosie hear from you by mail (1707 Summit Ave., Suite 201, Richmond, Va. 23230); by telephone ((804)358-0825, ext 322); or by e-mail (repps@styleweekly.com).
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