By Diana McCollum
http://dianamccollum.weebly.com/
What I find fascinating about clichés is one can get across a feeling, picture or a state of being with few words which need no further explanation. True, some are used to the extreme and especially as readers we get sick to death (is that a cliché?) of hearing the clichés used over and over and over again.
http://dianamccollum.weebly.com/
What I find fascinating about clichés is one can get across a feeling, picture or a state of being with few words which need no further explanation. True, some are used to the extreme and especially as readers we get sick to death (is that a cliché?) of hearing the clichés used over and over and over again.
I am thrilled when reading a book and I come across a new
take on an old cliché; because old clichés are not all accurate when used in
modern day language.
For instance:
“I’m tired of sounding like a broken record”- Really? Most
teenagers don’t even know what a record is they’re too wrapped up in I-Tunes & CDs. A broken record is when they beat someone else at track etc.
“More troubles than Carter’s have pills”-How many of us
still shop at a Carter’s Pharmacy? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Carter’s
Pharmacy.
“It’s the cat’s pajamas”-My children had no clue what this
meant.
“It’s the bee’s knees”-I don’t even know what this one
means.
“It’s not worth a plugged nickel”- I give, what is a plugged
nickel??
“Johnny come lately”—Huh??
And then there are others that are timeless:
“Kiss and tell”
“Poison pen”
“love is blind”
“all’s fair in love and war”
“beauty is in the eye
of the beholder”
I beseech you when you are writing if you are tempted to use
a cliché, try and make it more current or different so the reader is surprised
and doesn't roll his eyes at yet another cliché. Here is an example from Nora
Roberts book, “Homeport”.
Instead of saying “She was cold to the bone”—“The damp,
snapping wind iced the bones through to the marrow.” Much clearer picture, more
of an impact and chilled me just reading it.
What are some of the clichés you dislike? What are some you
do like?
6 comments:
Love your post. A new take on the old is always refreshing and keeps the writing fresh.
I love the way country music uses clichés! it's a fun and playful way to get meaning across in a sort of universal code.
loved your blog and you're so right an new take is so refreshing when it's done well.
I'm thinking of writing a book using some of the old cliches my mother spoke to me regularly, like: we'll cross that bridge when we come to it - or pretty is as pretty does.They drove me crazy as a kid, but they mean a bit more now.
I love it when people mix their cliches, like "I'll burn that bridge when I cross it." It can be very humorous, especially when done tongue in cheek ... oops, there goes another cliche! :)
Thanks for stopping by, Marcia.
Yep, Sarah, Country Music is known for cliches in the songs.
Hi, Kate, thanks for stopping by!
Hey, Cathy, keep us posted on the book. I think I'd read it just to see how many cliches you use!!!
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