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What is the meaning of peculiar peculiarity?

Published in Language and Linguistics 1 min read

The phrase "peculiar peculiarity" is a redundant phrase that emphasizes the uniqueness or unusualness of something. It's like saying "very unique" or "extremely unusual."

Here's a breakdown:

  • Peculiar: Means strange, unusual, or distinctive.
  • Peculiarity: Refers to a distinctive characteristic or feature that makes something unique.

Using both words together is unnecessary because "peculiarity" already implies something peculiar.

Examples:

  • Instead of: "The old house had a peculiar peculiarity."
  • Say: "The old house had a peculiar feature."

Practical Insights:

  • The phrase is often used for comedic effect, highlighting the absurdity of the repetition.
  • While grammatically correct, it's generally considered unnecessary and wordy.

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