Ok, gang! A few of you have evinced and conveyed sufficient interest in the Woids or WORDS column to move me in the direction of yet another thought provoker. So here goes:1
In my perusing (and that actually means going over CAREFULLY...not just scanning or glancing at idly) of some of the "stories" around here I have stumbled upon, tripped over and literally choked on an abundance, a veritable plethora of platitudes, bromides, old saws and the dreaded CLICHES! These, guys, are THE WORST! To come upon one of them can ruin my day, not to mention what it does to your humble effort at writing the great American, or English, or Canadian, or Australian, or New Zealand or you name it Short Story! These insidious words and phrases have a way of sneaking into the most well intended and original prose: sentences, paragraphs, pages and chapters. They creep stealthily about, they lurk, they even spring...and they do so unsuspectingly and with guile. I don't blame the poor author so much as his or her being unaware. This is the KEY! The writer must always LISTEN to what he or she writes...and above all...BE AWARE of the ready-to-spring CLICHE!2
Here are some prime offenders...! I will not attempt to define these overused, hackneyed, banal, trite expressions. I will merely list some...but, AT THE END OF THE DAY (Yukko)...WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE (Phooey)...BOTTOM LINE...(Boo)...It will be up to you to keep a SHARP LOOKOUT (get the idea?) for these guys! How do I recognize one? I get a sick feeling in the PIT of my STOMACH...and I stop reading whatever it is I am in the midst of! Hey! See if YOU can define the common element that ties all of these together. Let me know!3
Avoid like the plague4
At death's door5
Acid test6
Banker's hours7
Bite the bullet8
Bitter end9
Bated breath10
Brown as a berry (ever see a brown berry?)11
Bolt from the blue12
Can of worms13
Casting aspersions14
Cold feet15
Red handed16
Cool as a cucumber17
Did a number18
Die was cast19
Drinks like a fish20
Clear as a bell21
Bright eyed & bushy tailed22
Down in the mouth23
Stars in her eyes24
Face the music25
Feeling his oats26
Feather in his cap27
Foregone conclusion28
Fresh as a...daisy!29
Finger lickin' good!...submitted by Auburn She-Wolf!30
Going to the dogs31
Upper hand32
Scot free33
Whole hog34
Green with envy35
Grass is always greener...submitted by Auburn She-Wolf!36
Was livid!37
Hair's breadth38
Head over heels39
Heart in my mouth40
Warm the cockles of one's heart41
Heart of gold42
In no uncertain terms43
One fell swoop44
In this day and age45
Let it all hang out!46
Lock, stock and barrel47
Ps and Qs48
Nitty gritty49
Nth degree50
Play it by ear51
Pretty as a picture52
Driven snow53
Rack your brain54
Raining cats and dogs55
Rake over the coals56
Beyond your wildest dreams57
Sad but true58
Strange but true59
Shoot the breeze60
Shadow of a doubt61
Skin deep62
Sink or swim63
Short and sweet64
Staying power65
Stiff upper lip66
Strike it rich67
Struck dumb68
In a nutshell69
Sumptuous repast70
Whole ball of wax71
White as a sheet72
Trip the light fantastic73
Cold shoulder74
Virtual standstill75
These are just a few...but some of the prime offenders!76
and now, gang,77
NEEDLESS TO SAY...........78
HAVE A NICE DAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!79
GA80
A contest entry
- Those Funny Little Sayings by K.Tangent.
700 points, ended November 21, 10 entries
• next story in this contest, • Add to finalists list, or remove from contest
Feel Free To Add A Few!
Comments
1 - 18 of 18
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Hm. Interesting. Definitely was not something I expected as a contest entry. I love that you touch on the cliche sayings that plague our life, and literature pieces of our time. There are some things I agree with on this piece, and others that are more controversial. (Not that this is bad. =] It is simply a difference of opinion.)
While a cliche itself is bad, many of these phrases are simply modern "sayings" in my mind. (However some of them do tend to be overused to the point of cliche. But this appeared to be only a fraction of the list to me.) Look at some old infamous works in our history. Like Romeo and Juliet for example. The piece was filled with "sayings" and "phrases" that were common to its time, and probably used on the verge of cliche. So while its good to be innovative in descriptions, I do not believe use of modern sayings will completely destroy a story. There are many other things that contribute to that.
Now please note everything in the above paragraph was my personal opinion. The only reason I entered this, is because this is an opinion piece. Even though this piece of literature is a personal statement about current events, it still needs to be treated like any other "story" entry on deviant. I really would of liked it if you displayed your opinion in a more organized and literate fashion. It felt too casual for me to treat as a contest entry, and more like something you post as a blog. =(
But I was still fascinated by your strong opinion and interesting take on the contest. Thank you for this.
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Can it really be
I hope I'm not deceiving myself, but I think I may just have found - here in the work of the great English master - an error!
Unsurely (or is that tentatively) I venture to point it out.
Isn't "insideous" actually spelled "insidious"?
<*Holds breath in anticipation*>
Another fine observation on some of the material that ruins the more amateurish stories around here. Well done.
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You are CORRECT, Sir!
The "e" must have INSIDIOUSLY crept in.
FIXED!
Thank you...proving once again...the students who peruse these instructive pages are among the most clever and perspicacious!
GA
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Hahaha
Ga, you crack me up, seriously! That list up there is great, let me tell you. Good one!
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wow, thats a long list. the only one ive ever used is "going to the dogs"
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<
A story’s aim should not be to amaze, confuse, or horrify, but rather to amuse and or entertain. I think the biggest problem with the writing on this site is that many have not grasped the concept, of what a story is.
Okay, I really mean no offense, but I find that to be extremely arrogant and self-centered a statement. So, because *you* think the point of a story is to entertain, everyone else should too?
To me, being horrified by a story *is* entertainment. I don't always want to be amused or experience positive emotions.
Moreover, being entertained is far from the only reason to read fiction. To me, implying that fiction's ONLY purpose is to amuse and entertain is to demean fiction and everyone who reads it for other reasons. It can be a way to muse on philosophical or spiritual ideas, percolate creativity, and so on.
Again, I'm not trying to be confrontational or offensive, but I really think you're presenting an extremely limited perspective. Maybe it's you who's missing the point.
Just my .02. -
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Who? Wha?
My good fellow...the comments to which you respond are NOT my comments. You were reading in the "wrong" area.
Apology accepted!
GA
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Look beyond the clihe
Okay Gary----I have perused your article with all the tenacity, my pathetic, little pile of gray cells can muster.
Although I do agree with you, that the general quality of writing on this site is sadly wanting, my conclusion as to the main reason, for this phenomenon is quite different.
As I work (yes you noticed I said work, not read) my way though these lists of hopeful master pieces, I’m struck by the fact that well over seventy percent of them are fantasy, Sy-Fi, or horror. Now I can handle a modest, smattering of magic, some unexplainable occurrences, even some horrific events, but when the story has no point, except to show case these qualities, I’m left shaking my head.
A story’s aim should not be to amaze, confuse, or horrify, but rather to amuse and or entertain. I think the biggest problem with the writing on this site is that many have not grasped the concept, of what a story is.
I agree with your general statement that it is unwise to over use clichés, my problem is the very definition of what a cliché is.
The cliché is a word, or group of words, that has lost its meaning, or effectiveness, because of over use.
Now at the risk of touching of another monumental debate, let me just say, I don’t agree that all your seventy odd examples, actually constitute clichés.
I think many of them could be considered, tired fraises, but to state they have lost their meaning or effectiveness is in my humble opinion a bit of a stretch.
Talk to you soon --ablelaz
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I would have to say this is probably the first piece I've seen a lot of these in, but I can see where you're coming from depending on the type of story it is. In a more mature story, these and suchlike usages are indeed horrible and should be avoided.
The exception I will bring up, however, is TEENAGERS and CHILDREN.
Let's start with children; as unlikely as they are to use any of these, if they do, it isn't a show of unintelligence but rather the opposite. Once they get older, they'll know these were the phrases and sayings that they used to use are old. If this makes any sense to you, of course.
Now, for teens (and this I can justify, as I AM a teen, which I really hope doesn't weaken my case!): We won't generally use these per say, but we will tend to use ones like them in a more modern fashion. We will GET ON YOUR (his, her, my) NERVES (skin is on nerves, nothing can actually GET on one's nerves, in a literal sense). We like to BREAK THE RULES ( no rule is being torn, smashed, or otherwise damaged......unless there's a meaning out there I'm missing). We're pretty rebellious. We're loud and obnoxious when our parents are asleep, yet when they want us to tell them something, we're QUIET AS A MOUSE. Few will SING LIKE A CANARY, but we tend not to like those who do.
And we've introduced mass usage of slang into our lives, as well as our stories.
As for your dictionary thing, isn't one new entry added to the dictionary each year? Doesn't false usage make way for more language? If the meanings of words will be altered or added to by mass false usage, then technically, in 20 years, it won't matter. That will be a meaning of the word.
But as always, I do appreciate someone STEPPING OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONE and saying what they believe. Diversity is what makes our language and literature so great.
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Hmm... brown berries... nope!
I was reading through this and I thought that almost all of them could be used in the game from "A Christmas Carol." Dang me that I can't remember the name of it...
About the cliches though, what if they're used in dialogue? -
I believe that English is a living, breathing language. I enjoy how it changes with the generations. I love the new hues and tints that are added, the addition of 'informal' meanings(that's what the Oxford calls them). I am a devoted lover of cliches, I actually go to a site dedicated to them. Some of them make terrific titles, e.g. 'white as a sheet' give that to a dark fiction writer, and see what happens. Similarly, 'can of worms' to a Helminthologist writing a paper on the tape worm; you could give that to an angler writing about fly fishing. Cliches may be anathema to you, they're chocolate to me - moreish!
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In like, I shall reply;
Oh, for the life of me, it is better the devil you know than the devil you don't.
One does wonder if there is method in this madness, if those writers who compose in fits and starts, should really take a dose of their own medicine and read this piece.
It is a crumb of comfort that you chose not to pull the wool over these unfortunate's eyes nor butter them up, though many insist that we suffer these fools gladly.
We can hope against hope, or grin and bear it with a strong stomach, that they do not take this as a bone of contention.
Rather one should learn to stand own their own two feet, cop the advice on the chin and turn the other cheek.
Though I agree - the inane habits of some to smatter their works with idioms and cliches, without rhyme or reason, are enough to cause one to tear their hair out.
Perhaps Idiots and Idioms could be next...
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Okay, okay, I admit it: I've used a few of them. On the other hand, a few of them are completely new to me (Trip the light fantastic? Casting aspersions!?). Just a question, though: how is "being livid" a cliche? The definitions of livid are as follows, according to the Free Online Dictionary (which you told us never to use ):
1. Discolored, as from a bruise; black-and-blue.
2. Ashen or pallid: a face livid with shock.
3. Extremely angry; furious.
See that last one? See? It's a real word. So HOW is that a cliche?
Just a note. I don't mean to aggravate the Word Nazi. Haha! Thanks for the post.
--Viola -
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In re: On Line Dictionary
And THIS is why I advised NOT to use the online dictionary. It DOES tend to show a current, more contemporary word definition...but more of a "pop" usage...that is, the meaning the word HAS TAKEN ON. NOT...the original, true meaning of the word. In this case (of "livid") the meanings are correct...but IT DOES NOT MEAN angry! It does NOT mean furious. This is the meaning the word has TAKEN ON...but only in that it originally meant BLUE...or so pale and in shock that the face appeared to be BLUISH. So you see, the on line dictionary gives the "pop" and "common" usage...and therefore the more common and CLICHE usage! And THIS...Viola, is something a better writer does not need!
GA -
Vi,
The reason I have "Livid" as a cliche is not so much because of the word as HOW it is generally used. If it is used to describe a color (blue)...this is fine and legitimate. But more commonly I find (disturbingly) it is used to describe a very ANGRY, ENRAGED condition...particularly when the writer doesn't even know that the word means BLUE...but thinks the word means OUTRAGED and ANGRY beyond words. Originally, it DID mean "blue" with anger...or angry to the point of being "blue in the face."...even pale or ashen. It is when a writer uses a word whose true and original meaning he or she does not know, but only uses the word to designate an acquired meaning that it slips into, and for me takes on the meaning of a "cliche." If the writer uses the word to actually MEAN or DESIGNATE blue or ashen...it's quite alright! But if it is used to mean ANGRY...particularly if the writer thinks "ANGRY" is what livid means...well then...it becomes a cliche! I hope that clears things up for you...and takes ME off the hook!
GA
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I don't think I've used any of these that I can recall, not even in pieces with a more conversational voice.
I believe there are also plot cliches and cliche ways of treating certain subject matter. I've seen quite a few stories on here that were saturated in cheap, cloying cliche. I think the appeal of cliche to some of these writers is that it simplifies things and doesn't require thought. Me, I don't like to simplify things, so I avoid cliche.
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