Liigsust

Liigsust is a term used in speculative linguistics to describe a rhetorical phenomenon in which discourse accumulates meaning through redundancy and elaboration beyond the essential message. The word is often treated as a neologism, possibly deriving from Estonian liigsus meaning excess, with the suffix -ust forming a noun.

Definition and scope: Liigsust covers deliberate amplifications, hedges, and qualifiers that extend sentences with minimal addition of new content. It may occur in political speeches, corporate communications, or online debates, and can function to convey thoroughness, authority, or solidarity, while risking reduced clarity.

Origins and usage: The term appears in internet discussions and some niche linguistic writings. There is no formal standard for its definition or measurement, and its usage varies among authors and communities. Some observers treat it as a casual label for stylistic excess, while others explore its potential social or cognitive effects.

Characteristics: Typical features include proliferation of adjectives and qualifiers, repetition or rephrasing of points, and inserts that emphasize stance rather than information. Common signals might be phrases like basically, in reality, and at the end of the day, used to frame arguments as exhaustive or well-considered.

Examples:

- “We must, in all honesty and truly and without any doubt, thoroughly consider every possible option.”

- “This is, essentially, simply the best and most effective approach we can possibly take, given all relevant factors.”

Implications: Proponents view liigsust as a legitimate stylistic choice that signals care and credibility; critics argue it reduces readability and can undermine credibility by masking weak reasoning.

See also: pleonasm, redundancy, verbosity.