Every once in a while, I have something to say about tautologies – saying the same thing twice, superfluous words, double-speak.
So I thought I’d start a list here, and I’d love you to add to it.
In no particular order (as I’ve heard said many times) – And yes, I have heard or read all of these.
free gift extra bonus proven track record return back
unite together
attempt to try new innovations reduce down proceed forward
true fact
I myself was the only one there.
simultaneously at the same time a choice of options predict the future
expand out initially at the beginning a round circle
past history
We are planning our future growth. (Ummm, it’s hard to plan past growth.)
I’ll add to this – both your suggestions and ones that I find – and let you know.
Happy tautology hunting!
So here we are, three weeks later with a bit of an update.
How about these synonyms for tautology:
pleonasm superfluity redundance circumlocution
roundabout phrases periphrasis ambages equivocalness padding
filler digression irrelevance
And what about these double-speakers:
HIV virus ATM machine PIN number
Not quite sure how to categorise this one!
Ears pierced while you wait.
Word-nerdy blog 
Redundant Acronym Syndrome —> RAS Syndrome
Thanks Collin for dropping by and for such a delightful contribution.
I’ll add that one to both my acronym and tautology lists.
What about ‘I, myself, personally speaking…’ or military intelligence, public service?
Hey Annie
Lovely to have you drop by.
Do I notice a bit of irony there?
Wish I could grace that comment with a snark – a punctuation mark shaped like a reversed question mark to indicate irony.
I love ‘ears pierced while you wait’. It’s too funny! Please tell me you’ve not seen it, Desolie — not published, surely?
Hi Wendy
Thanks for dropping by. I don’t think I’ve seen it ‘published’, but it’s certainly around as a sign.
I wonder if they have a depository for the ears of those who want to go off and do something else while their ears are being pierced.
I was using ‘publish’ in the sense of making publicly known, so I guess a sign fits that sense. I wonder if customers when they return have difficulty recognising their ears among all the various pairs waiting for collection?
They certainly wouldn’t look the same, would they?!
Would hate to come away with an unmatched pair.
And I hope all ears been cleaned before being left.
Hope there’s not the equivalent of the sock thief lurking around.
(Who says editors are pedants with big red pens and no sense of humour!)
No doubt, I’m guilty of one or two of these.
I think we all are, Sally.
And thanks for ‘expanding out’ this list 🙂
Dear Desolie, this post is bulk ace in the extreme! I’m VERY glad you’re on this planet. 🙂
Paul, you are tooooo kind.
And I see that your retweet has already produced one to add to my list.
This is going to be fun:-)