The Buried Mea Culpa
Once upon a time, the likes of William Safire and George Carlin could be counted on to call out linguistic curiosities.
In that spirit, I offer up the very confused expression, “Out of an abundance of caution.”
Overcompensating
Practically dripping with CYA (“Cover-Your-A**”), it’s almost always invoked by a contrite person or entity that knows they’re doing (or did) something wrong, and is trying to limit the fallout, legal and otherwise.
Example: the company spokesperson who says that, while the food or drug manufacturer believes they located the source of the e.coli outbreak — out of an “abundance of caution” — they were nonetheless extending the recall nationally.
Ounce of Prevention
So, what’s better than practicing an “abundance of caution,” after-the-fact?
Behaving with a “paucity of recklessness” beforehand . . .
See also, “What’s Better Than “an Abundance of Caution?” Answer: “a Paucity of Recklessness”.”
