By E.J. Smith

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Today we are continuing our word study and why people use two words that mean the same thing when one is enough. Not only do we hear it in everyday life from those we know, but on television too. And we all know, don’t we, that if it is said on t.v., then it’s all right to use it in everyday life.  It is not, but understand I am not attempting to change the way you talk, just make you aware of some things that we emphasize with too many words. There is also a “bonus” expression that many of us misuse.

Added bonus: if it is added, then it already is a bonus.

Adequate enough: Synonyms. They mean the same thing.

Blatantly obvious: if something is blatant, it is already obvious.

Browse through: If you’re browsing, you are looking through something.

Close proximity: They mean the same thing.

Combine together: One cannot combine two things without them being together.

Continue on: If it is continued, one knows that it is moving on.

Critically important: If it is important, surely it is critical.

Enter into: Well? What do you think? Enter means “go  into” doesn’t it?

False pretenses: If one is pretending, one is presenting a false action.

Far distance: Do you need help with this one?

First and foremost: they mean the same thing.

General consensus: A consensus is one opinion generally held by a group, so we do not need to use them both.

Most unique: Unique cannot be made any better, it is already the highest word to describe something so different that it is the best.

Revert back: these are synonyms.

Interact with each other: If we are interacting, it cannot be by ourselves, so “each other” can be left off.

Moment in time: Really? Time is moments!

Joint cooperation: Can one cooperate with oneself? No need for “joint.”

Usually always: Always is all the time. Usually means some of the time, so?

I hope these word excesses will help readers notice how they express themselves and mend their ways of speaking without adding unnecessary words. I also hope that they will give y’all a good laugh!

By the way, “y’all” is Southern, not incorrect, right?

Now for the added bonus: there is no such thing as an “first annual,” they are synonyms. So “initial” or “premier” might be a better choice.

If you find more words like this, share with us at “burnsmybiscuit@gmail.com.

Keep smiling, it makes others wonder what you’re up to!

You are in my prayers.

E.J.