Never-Ending List of Cliches

Scoates · Feb 4, 2010

I looked around, and couldn't find something similar, so sorry if this has been done, but I would love to make a compilation of popular cliches.

I'll start out with just one:

"With all due respect."

How are people getting away with this? I can't imagine its use is unnoticeable to non-writers. Why is it so tempting to use? How many years will we have to hear it before writers realize it is no longer creative?

Anyway, I suppose that's a pretty generic rant. Apply it to the rest of the thread.

Nya RAyne · Feb 4, 2010

I can't say I've used that saying in any of my books, but I can definitely see how it could be seen as a little more than abused. In answer to your question, if it's not necessary, which it never is, just cut straight to the insult or whatever it is the character is going to say without preamble.

As for examples of cliches that are abused often, I'm going to need to do a little thinking about that one. I put my writer's hat down somewhere and I can't seem to find it right now.

blacbird · Feb 4, 2010

"To be perfectly honest" or its twin brother "I have to be honest with you"

Which is almost always a red flag that the speaker intends nothing of the kind.

caw

Slushie · Feb 4, 2010

Comparing boobs to fruit.

maestrowork · Feb 4, 2010

"At the end of the day..."

"Let's think out of the box...."

"It's a paradigm shift..."

"I would if I could..."

"The matter of fact is...."

willietheshakes · Feb 4, 2010

"never-ending"

maestrowork · Feb 4, 2010

Rain or shine...

Vandal · Feb 5, 2010

Every military story must include "Permission to speak freely."

maestrowork · Feb 5, 2010

As you know, Bob...

JimmyB27 · Feb 5, 2010

Scoates said:
I looked around, and couldn't find something similar, so sorry if this has been done, but I would love to make a compilation of popular cliches.

I'll start out with just one:

"With all due respect."

How are people getting away with this? I can't imagine its use is unnoticeable to non-writers. Why is it so tempting to use? How many years will we have to hear it before writers realize it is no longer creative?

Anyway, I suppose that's a pretty generic rant. Apply it to the rest of the thread.

blacbird said:
"To be perfectly honest" or its twin brother "I have to be honest with you"

Which is almost always a red flag that the speaker intends nothing of the kind.

caw

maestrowork said:
"At the end of the day..."

"Let's think out of the box...."

"It's a paradigm shift..."

"I would if I could..."

"The matter of fact is...."

But people actually speak like this. If that's the sort of character you're writing, what's the problem?

I think the bad type of cliché are the ones like the aforementioned fruity bosom metaphors, but in dialogue - surely you can get away with anything if it's true to character?

Brad · Feb 6, 2010

"shocked and appalled"

Tippecanoe1841 · Feb 6, 2010

This is a cousin to the previously mentioned "At the end of the day.."

"Back in the day..."

When I see this one, I instantly lose all interest in whatever it was that I was reading or listening to.

PoppysInARow · Feb 6, 2010

JimmyB27 said:
But people actually speak like this. If that's the sort of character you're writing, what's the problem?

I think the bad type of cliché are the ones like the aforementioned fruity bosom metaphors, but in dialogue - surely you can get away with anything if it's true to character?

I agree. I don't think cliche's are too terrible if they're used in dialogue, as long as they make sense within your world.

It's when you use them in narration that is becomes really obnoxious.

Like, "they'll have to beat the clock." That one bothers me.

RJK · Feb 10, 2010

You're reinventing the wheel.
actually, there are at least a dozen websites with lists of cliches.

Chase · Feb 10, 2010

I get hate posts from ladies who love it so, but I still maintain the impossible but popular "she rolled her eyes" is so shopworn as to be goose greasy.

Scoates · Feb 11, 2010

RJK said:
You're reinventing the wheel.
actually, there are at least a dozen websites with lists of cliches.

I thought everyone would want to moan about their personal peeves.

Apparently I was wrong. But then again, I don't remember putting this in the 'Grammar' forum.

Never-Ending List of Cliches

Scoates

Nya RAyne

On the verge of greatness

blacbird

Slushie

Custom User Title

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

willietheshakes

Gentleman. Scholar. Bastard.

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

Vandal

In the Center of things

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

JimmyB27

Hoopy frood

Brad

Tippecanoe1841

Dead poets live forever.

PoppysInARow

RJK

Sheriff Bullwinkle the Poet says:

Chase

It Takes All of Us to End Racism

Scoates