Some Redundant Words to Remove

Benjamin Dreyer is vice president, executive managing editor and copy chief, of Random House. He has a new book, released today, Dreyer’s English: An Utterley Correct Guide to Clarity and Style. Medium has published an excerpt from the book dealing with redundant words. Based on this excerpt, I think I'm going to buy the book. It reminds me of the great Merriam Webster's Dictionary of English Usage, possibly my favourite book on English usage, and sadly never issued in Kindle format.

Here's a sample. Words in italics can be deleted:

all-time record

As well, one doesn’t set a “new record.” One merely sets a record.

assless chaps

The garment, that is. Not fellows lacking in dorsal embonpoint. I’m not sure how often this will come up in your writing — or in your life — but chaps are, by definition, assless. Look at a cowboy. From behind.

ATM machine

ATM = automated teller machine, which, one might argue and win the argument, is redundant enough as it is.

As an aside, I keep a list of words and phrases to use with Paul Beverley's wonderful FRedit Word macro. I think I've found a few more to add to the list.