More than fluff: Understanding 'needless' words. Larruping. Chicken surprise.
Jan 9, 2024
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Exploring the use of 'needless' words in writing and how some 'redundant' words can be purposeful. Unveiling the story behind the term 'larruping' and the amusing tale of 'chicken surprise' for quick meals.
The inclusion of seemingly redundant words can soften messages and maintain social graces.
Certain cultural contexts and dialects embrace redundancy in words to add emphasis or authenticity.
Deep dives
Determining Needlessness of Words
When trying to determine if a word is needless, one simple test is to ask whether the word adds meaning. For example, the word 'personally' may seem redundant in a sentence like 'I want lasagna for dinner personally' when compared to 'I want lasagna for dinner'. However, adding 'personally' can acknowledge the involvement of others and convey less of a demand or even a sense of resentment or superiority.
Justifiable Redundancy, Clarification, and Regionalisms
Certain cases may justify the inclusion of seemingly unnecessary words. Redundancy in word choice helps soften the blow and maintain social graces, such as saying 'I'm just writing to let you know that you didn't get the job' instead of 'You didn't get the job'. Similarly, words that may seem redundant, like 'chai tea' or 'apple cider', serve to clarify specific varieties in certain cultural contexts. Additionally, dialects and regionalisms, like the word 'larapin', can embrace redundancy to add emphasis or reflect authenticity in fictional characters' speech patterns.
963. Strunk and White said to omit needless words, but sometimes "redundant" words can serve a meaningful purpose. Plus, we have the story behind larruping food.