Are You More Anal Then An English Teacher?

The "Sage on the Sofa" questioned my use of the expression "complete lack of" in an SMS. His contention was that if lack means "an absence of"; then "complete lack off" would be a reiteration and the adjective "complete" would be redundant. However upon checking a dictionary, he was loathed to discover that the definition of "lack" is rather imprecise, and could actually mean an absence of; or a deficiency of. 

Oh ....... the pain that one gets for offering to host a booze up!!!(the purpose of sending the offending SMS)

But ........ chalk another one up for the English Teachers!!! Yeah!!! ;-))