it just occurred to me that this phrase is redundant (1 Viewer)

[ChiaraStar169]

"first and foremost"

I mean, I get that the "and foremost" is used as emphasis, but isn't "foremost" just a synonym of "first"? lol

 

[dnb]

like "each and every one" ...

 

[ChiaraStar169]

like "each and every one" ...

exactly! lol

 

[Ahsoka]

Foremost doesn’t necessarily mean the same as first. First is about chronology, while foremost is usually used more in terms of ranking or prominence. For example, Harrison Ford was a carpenter first, but foremost an actor because thats where his fame was. The reason first and foremost are so often used in the same way is just because we tend to want to start with the most important stuff first, making it both first and foremost. But it doesn't mean that it has to be the case.

 

[Ahsoka]

like "each and every one" ...

To be fair this isnt really a redundancy either. If you take either of them out you have a slightly different meaning.

 

[ChiaraStar169]

daaaaaaaaaaaamn, Vikki @Ahsoka back at it again with the killjoy attitude lol but thanks for correcting us, though - it was very insightful of you.

 

[Ahsoka]

daaaaaaaaaaaamn, Vikki @Ahsoka back at it again with the killjoy attitude lol but thanks for correcting us, though - it was very insightful of you.

I do get how someone could think they’re the same because first is often a good synonym for foremost. So it’s a very realistic jump But yeah one of those cases where there is a small difference

 

[dark_tranquility]

it kind of is old fashioned but I use it