vocabulary - An expression that adds little information


There is a family of expressions called oxymorons which contain contradicting meanings. What about expressions that add little meaning like "fatally injured" or "the evening sunset"? What are these expressions called?



Answer



These are known as tautologies or tautologous expressions.


Some examples from the Guardian Style Guide:



Aum Shinrikyo
means Supreme Truth sect, but note that the "aum" means sect, so to talk about the "Aum sect" or "Aum cult" is tautologous


affidavit
a written declaration made on oath, so "sworn affidavit" is tautologous.


Eid al-Adha
(Festival of Sacrifice) Muslim festival laid down in Islamic law, celebrates the end of the hajj. Note that eid means festival, so it is tautologous to describe it as the “Eid festival


gambit
an opening strategy that involves some sacrifice or concession; so to talk of an opening gambit is tautologous — an opening ploy might be better


regalia
plural, of royalty; “royal regalia” is tautologous



As a side note, tautologies are often found in place names, my favourite is The La Brea Tar Pits, meaning The The Tar Tar Pits.


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