Contact TVR A society is generally as lax as its language. April 2001, Vol.
Alliteration is one form of repetition that ought to be used with special care.
Alliteration is the repetition of several similar sounds in sequence, which is itself an example of alliteration. New York Times columnist William Safire, who at that time was a speech writer in the Nixon White House, claims to have originated that phrase, and I assume it served its purpose. Alliteration, however, is difficult to read and may cause even a seasoned speaker to stumble. Occasional alliteration included on purpose is fine, but alliteration that is accidental can be troublesome. Even the best speakers can sound as if they need speech therapy when they come unexpectedly upon some tongue-twisting phrase and sometimes even when they know the phrase is there.