Is rate of speed redundant?

Question

It always bugs me when car chases are broadcast on the news and the reporter invariably says, "wow that car is going at a very high RATE OF SPEED." Why not just a "high speed," or "fast speed?" Is speed itself not already a rate, as in the rate of distance over time? It's like saying, "I'm going to eat my meal of breakfast now." Am I the only one who thinks this sounds stupid, given that this comes so often out of the mouths of journalists who are supposed to epitimize standard English?

Answer 1

Well, you already know the answer (yes). Now high rate of speed change is another story.

It bugs me too and I'm in no way connected with journalism.

Answer 2

I agree wholeheartedly. Although there are absolutely tons of English sayings and words that have a completely different meaning than what is literally said. For example, when someone says, "How are you doing?" at work... It's really just a greeting that could be interpretreted as a simple, "Hi." Usually they aren't really interested in your health or asking how your day has gone unless it's a close friend. Going back to your Rate of Speed comment (which I agree on), you'd be surprised at how often people forget to notice that speed is relative. The reporter in your example is basing his statement in comparison to a person standing still on the ground. But that same person is travelling over 300Mph merely from the rotation of the Earth relative to the Earth's core. And our entire solar system is travelling at a much higher rate merely relative to the nearest star. Just some thoughts.

Answer 3

You need to get a physicist to answer this. I think there is an actual justification for it in the way they define speed in physics but don't remember. The way I see it, you are right and the phrase is redundant but you could say rate could be slow as well as fast so saying high rate of speed might be a proper qualifier, dependiong on the correct physical definition of the terms. I think it is just jargon and rhetoric, and broadcasters love that.

Answer 4

Good point, I hadn't thought about it but you are right. Speed is a rate itself, adding "rate" is redundant. Good one.