Isn't 'an abundance of caution' a very strange phrase?
Replies
Sounds like something perfectly okay in Hiberno-English, a literal calque on a construction with iomarca/barraíocht X "excess of X" in Irish.
jul 22, 2025, 8:56 pm • 2 1 • view
Interesting. But sounds very strange to me.
jul 22, 2025, 9:12 pm • 1 0 • view
Where did you come across it?
jul 23, 2025, 12:44 am • 0 0 • view
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/ju...
jul 23, 2025, 6:39 am • 1 0 • view
But I have a recollection of a former university president using it some years ago. What I find odd in English is the combination of 'abundance' and 'caution'. 'Abundance' normally connotes positivity, and is not (I think) commonly used with abstracts ('enthusiasm' an exception).
jul 23, 2025, 6:47 am • 2 0 • view
I'd say, it's precisely that blindness to inherent judgemental value that makes it for me suspect of being a HIberno-Anglicism.
jul 23, 2025, 6:57 am • 1 0 • view
Well, here you are: the author's first name is Sinéad (albeit combined with a Scottish surname).
jul 23, 2025, 6:59 am • 1 0 • view
Yes, and she’s quoting IMMA.
jul 23, 2025, 7:44 am • 1 0 • view
For the avoidance of doubt... It's lawyer-speak. Used in contracts etc. when common sense might suggest that something is obvious, but just to make d***d sure we're gonna say it anyway.
jul 23, 2025, 6:57 am • 2 0 • view
Deirim “out of an abundance of caution” ó am go ham. Cliché seanbhunaithe atá ann.
jul 23, 2025, 5:52 am • 1 0 • view