What is the difference between

That was my little bit of irony absent

It is better than "it is to all intents and purposes untrue"

Isn't all tautology unnecessary?

It's just a bit of unnecessary tautology, surely.

Well she probably is going to watch 'enders. (What is 'enders – it sounds rude?)

jingle that is categorically untrue.

Well, someone might say it. One day. No reason not to.

I'm going to watch 'enders now. x

You could literally be puzzled about this, as they say

I have never heard anyone say that or read it anywhere – except in your post jingl. I'm just puzzled.

Why, actually?

Did it "just enter into your mind"?

You would say "that is categorically correct".

It just adds emphasis. Makes it undeniable in any way.

Okay but a) to deny is a verb, and b) categorically denied and categorically untrue are pretty much the same thing. Nobody says it's categorically hot today even when the temperature is in the 30s or 40s. In fact, nobody says that something is categorically true.

Oh! You've googled too Grannyknot. 'Fess up!

You can categorically deny something. (have googled this categorically fascinating subject)

Then it's just a manner of speaking, surely? I don't know why people can't just say "It is untrue". I have also heard "I categorically deny that".

Yes but categorically seems to be used only with untrue. I can't think of another adjective where it is used in this way.

It's a fair question and it sounds like politician speak to me. Why can't they just say it's untrue. They just like using three words where two will do.

...........and if I hear that phrase 'hard working families' from one more politician I'll scream.....

I think sometimes people use adverbs (if that is the correct part of speech) to increase the strength of a statement.

Or perhaps I should have said 'I agree with jingl', to avoid any confusion...

Exactly.

It's just a way of speaking. It's like - definitely.

As, of course absent you know very well.

Why?