tautological

I really couldn't define this word, which surprises me because it is so familiar. I sure can define it now.

Definition of tautological:
“adj. Characterized by repetition and excessive wordiness: circumlocutionary, roundabout. See repetition, words.” (answers.com).

"n., pl. –gies
--Use of redundant language that adds no information.

--Logic. An empty or vacuous statement composed of simpler statements in a fashion that makes it logically true whether the simpler statements are factually true or false; for example, the statement Either it will rain tomorrow or it will not rain tomorrow.

--Poetry. The unnecessary and excessive repetition of the same idea in different words in the same sentence, as "The room was completely dark and had no illumination," or "A breeze greeted the dusk and nightfall was heralded by a gentle wind." (answers.com)

Where I ran across it:
l0/5/08 Fox News article, “SNL Slices, Dices Palin and Biden in Debate Sendup.”

“…If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Fey's presentation of Palin as a Bible-thumping, beauty queen with a tautological belief system suggests the comedy show loves the Alaska governor.…”

My two cents:
I’ll keep this short and to the point.

Sadly, the world now has a new, updated definition. Tautological = Sarah Palin. ‘Nuff said, wink-wink.

And by the way, here’s a shout-out to Sarah: It’s “nuclear." NU-CLE-AR!! How hard can that be?

Doggone it.