May have been a bit rash!!!

Posted by Lotg on October 04, 2003

In Reply to: Re: "Close proximity" posted by Lotg on October 04, 2003

: : : : : : : In the US we often hear "close proximity". The media and other reports attempting to appear serious often use "close proximity". It appears to mean close or near. Questions: are the two words together a bit redundant? Is this just a US thing? Does one ever recall hearing "distant proximity" or "intermediate proximity"?

: : : : : : I believe "nearby" would be a better choice of words. From these Merriam Webster entries, it looks like you're right about redundancy:

: : : : : : Main Entry: prox·im·i·ty
: : : : : : Pronunciation: präk-'si-m&-tE
: : : : : : Function: noun
: : : : : : Etymology: Middle French proximité, from Latin proximitat-, proximitas, from proximus
: : : : : : Date: 15th century
: : : : : : : the quality or state of being proximate : CLOSENESS

: : : : : : Main Entry: prox·i·mate
: : : : : : Pronunciation: 'präk-s&-m&t
: : : : : : Function: adjective
: : : : : : Etymology: Latin proximatus, past participle of proximare to approach, from proximus nearest, next, superlative of prope near -- more at APPROACH
: : : : : : Date: 1661
: : : : : : 1 : immediately preceding or following (as in a chain of events, causes, or effects)
: : : : : : 2 a : very near : CLOSE b : soon forthcoming : IMMINENT

: : : : : "Usually the extra word is redundant, or such compound expressions can be replaced by single words, as shown in italics in the following examples:
: : : : : in close proximity to ? near..." http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/ess/pubs/guide/gramm/jargon_e.html

: : : : Is the widespread use of the redundant word just a US thing?

: : : It was used by a British playwright, librettist and liricist:
: : : But then the prospect of a lot / Of dull M.P.'s in close proximity, / All thinking for themselves, is what / No man can face with equanimity. (W.S. Gilbert, _Iolanthe_, 1882)

: : : _Webster's Dictionary of English Usage_ explains "Of course there are degrees of proximity, and _colse proximity_ simply emphasizes the closeness" and gives a few examples:

: : : "in very close proximity" (Ken Druse, _N.Y. Times Mag._, 22 June 1980)
: : : "in closer proximity" (Jane Nickerson, _N.Y. Times Mag._, 27 June 1954)
: : : "in the closest proximity to" (Richard Jefferies, _The Open Air_, 1885)
: : : "into close proximity" (Bell Telephone Laboratories, _The Formation of Ferromagnetic Domains_, 1959)

: : Redundant words are, sadly, pretty common in the UK. Some that spring immediately to mind are;
: : A free gift
: : A skin rash - you can't have a rash other than on your skin!
: : A dead body
: : I bet there are dozens of others!!

: ::: I must admit, it never occurred to me that there is nowhere else you can get a rash other than the skin, and actually is that correct? I'm not so sure.

: But I gotta say that I have definitely seen live bodies - I've got one myself as a matter of fact. But there's no disputing there are many redundant words, and I'm sure they're universal.

:::: OK, well I have to admit, I tried, but I can't think of anywhere else you could have a rash, other than the skin.

• Re: May have been a bit rash!!! and skin rash janes_kid 04/October/03