I discovered recently, while having a conversation with some young people, that what we consider clich\u00e9s are actually new to some of them.<\/p>\n
I was surprised to learn that my generation\u2019s tried and true, overused phrases might actually be fresh to today\u2019s young readers. Unless their parents or grandparents used terms such as, \u201cdon\u2019t throw the baby out with the bathwater,\u201d \u201cwhat\u2019s good for the goose is good for the gander,\u201d \u201cgot hitched,\u201d \u201cborn with a silver spoon in his mouth,\u201d \u201cDutch treat,\u201d \u201cpenny wise, pound foolish,\u201d etc., subsequent generations won\u2019t hear them growing up. And when they read them in books, they\u2019ll consider these phrases and terms new and unique.<\/p>\n
And think about this\u2014after a few more generations of not using these old clich\u00e9s, they will go by the wayside and, perhaps, disappear, only to be replaced by new phrases that will eventually become clich\u00e9s. In the meantime, we\u2019d be losing some very clever and poignant ways of relaying our thoughts and moving our stories forward.<\/p>\n
I think you\u2019ve heard\/read me say that I love clich\u00e9s. I use them more than I probably should in my speaking. I try not to use them in my writing. However, some of them are so meaningful and powerful, I would be among those fighting against eliminating them altogether. <\/p>\n
Clich\u00e9s are considered old, tired phrases that have no place in our writing projects. But some would disagree. The arguments for clich\u00e9s include the fact that sometimes a clich\u00e9 is the best way to convey a message or mood in writing. And most of us certainly use them as shortcuts to understanding in our speaking. <\/p>\n
A clich\u00e9 used for the sake of ease is frowned on. But the clever use of a clich\u00e9 is often applauded.<\/p>\n
Where do the clich\u00e9s come from? Some of them are \u201cas old as dirt.\u201d They come from literature such as Shakespeare and the Bible. Some clich\u00e9s we use have come into being in more recent years through political messages, presidential presentations, the military, sports, etc.<\/p>\n
Right along with clich\u00e9s as pass\u00e9 for writers are puns. I love puns, too. A pun is a play on words. And they can be freshly created by an author of merit and still be considered trite. You see (and hear) puns everywhere. But writers and speakers try to keep them to a minimum. I guess that is wise\u2014too many of them certainly could spoil an article or a chapter in your book. <\/p>\n
Here\u2019s your assignment today\u2014for fun, use a clich\u00e9 or two. Or at least recognize and acknowledge when you automatically use a clich\u00e9 in your speaking throughout the day. It may do your heart good and you know it is easy as pie to come up with no brainer clich\u00e9s. And remember time flies when you\u2019re having fun.<\/p>\n
Learn more about me and my work, books and courses here: I discovered recently, while having a conversation with some young people, that what we consider clich\u00e9s are actually new to some of them. I was surprised to learn that my generation\u2019s tried and true, overused phrases might actually be fresh to today\u2019s young readers. Unless their parents or grandparents used terms such as, \u201cdon\u2019t throw […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
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