Sorry... just had to get that off my chest. FJB and his crew have so many ways of irritating the shit out of me.
I am tempted to think it is some sort of comms at this point. EPA guy used it in OH just now... out of an abundance of caution, stay out of the streams, or something like that.
Anyway, dumbest phrase... evah
"Abundance of caution" is an old establishment buzz word phrase they use when trying to cover their asses, or push for more tyranny. Long before circle back Ginger. But you are correct in that every time you hear that phase, it is always associated with establishment bullshit.