[Misc] Abundance of Caution

[Lindfield by the Pond]

Why has this phrase become a thing? I'm too old for my liking and can honestly say that until about 6 months ago I had never heard this phrase?

Today, Johnson and Johnson have withdrawn usage of their vaccine through an "abundance of caution"

Trump was sent (sectioned) with Covid to hospital with an "abundance of caution"

Boeing have grounded their Max737's out of an "abundance of caution"

So here I am "reaching out" to the great NSC to see if this now ubiquitous phrase "floats anyone's boat?". Irritates me.

 

[dazzer6666]

Probably derived from the ‘precautionary principles’ adopted by the EU

 

[brightn'ove]

coronavirus

 

[Bry Nylon]

I guess it’s lucky this attitude didn’t prevail in times gone by when pioneers were pushing the boundaries of what was possible.

“It’s one small step for man...but just to be on the safe side I’ve decided to give the moon walk a swerve.”

 

[Nitram]

Stick it in the same box as Staycation.

 

[albionalbino]

Shameful capitulation.

 

[portlock seagull]

Politicians are w ankers. You’ve just discovered more supporting evidence that’s all.

Stick in same file as ‘reduce down’ (chefs) and ‘reaching out’ (marketeers). Because every arse has its hole.

 

[Pint of Ale and a Burger]

Probably some clever legal or political phrase that implies something but doesn't actually state anything.

 

[portlock seagull]

Probably some clever legal or political phrase that implies something but doesn't actually state anything.

Nothing clever about that. Moronic I’d say. But I know where you’re coming from.

 

[Norman Potting]

Why has this phrase become a thing? I'm too old for my liking and can honestly say that until about 6 months ago I had never heard this phrase?

Today, Johnson and Johnson have withdrawn usage of their vaccine through an "abundance of caution"

Trump was sent (sectioned) with Covid to hospital with an "abundance of caution"

Boeing have grounded their Max737's out of an "abundance of caution"

So here I am "reaching out" to the great NSC to see if this now ubiquitous phrase "floats anyone's boat?". Irritates me.

Sounds more impressive than "...to be on the safe side..."

 

[Bakero]

Looking at the Hansard Corpus, I found an abundance of examples. The first of which was back in 1856.

 

[Bakero]

Just had a look at a corpus of old books. It seems the phrase was pretty common in the 1600s.

 

[Sorrel]

Just had a look at a corpus of old books. It seems the phrase was pretty common in the 1600s.

View attachment 135839

Where is this search system?

 

[cloud]

I've always been aware of the phrase. However this Government seems intent on using catchphrases and repetition to make their point.

 

[cloud]

Where is this search system?

The clue is in the heading: "Early English Books Online". If you google this it takes you straight to the link https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebogroup/

 

[Sorrel]

The clue is in the heading: "Early English Books Online". If you google this it takes you straight to the link https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebogroup/

I thought there was some search engine that included both the English books and the Hansard records in the same place? Both your screenshots showed the same heading...

 

[Robdinho]

Stick it in the same box as Staycation.

Staycation is a particular bugbear of mine.

If staycation means anything it surely means taking time off work but just staying at home, but recently people keep using it to mean a holiday where you don't travel abroad. No, that's still called a holiday.

 

[Bakero]

Where is this search system?

https://www.english-corpora.org/m/

 

[Lindfield by the Pond]

Staycation is a particular bugbear of mine.

If staycation means anything it surely means taking time off work but just staying at home, but recently people keep using it to mean a holiday where you don't travel abroad. No, that's still called a holiday.

Agree. This one irritates me as well to the extent that I forwarded my irritation to a national newspaper!! Made me feel better, but got no reply.......

 

[Questions]

I’m just preparing some of these bad boys now............oh please don’t.