Dispatch From the Department of Redundancy Department

Regarding a minor but persistent annoyance:

"Compare and contrast" -- let's stop saying this, shall we?

The former means to examine similarities and differences, and the latter means to merely examine the differences.

Unless you really want the differences twice, please stop asking your students to do both. I'm tired of having to explain to smart-alecky students that yes, it is completely redundant (if agreeably alliterative) to use both.

Sincerely,

Vellum
Chief Pedant
Department of Redundancy Department