[General] A potential danger?

[chiefsub68]

One phrase that annoys me is "potential danger" which you see in newspapers across the UK. Surely the word danger implies potential and "potential" is therefore redundant. Any views?

[Hortence]

Originally Posted by chiefsub68

One phrase that annoys me is "potential danger" which you see in newspapers across the UK. Surely the word danger implies potential and "potential" is therefore redundant. Any views?

I don't think "potential" is redundant in your example. A danger may be potential or real. I box found in the subway could hide a bomb (real danger) or nothing dangerous. Before it's discovered that it's a bomb, the danger is potential.