What is a cliche? In language arts, a cliche is a phrase or sentence that was once colorful or clever but is now overused. Examples include "easy as pie", "a storm of protest", and "Better safe than sorry!" Because cliches are so familiar, they tend to detract from writing by making it predictable and trite. By learning a bit about cliches, you can prepare yourself to identify overused ideas, avoid them, and write better words. It's an easy way to make your writing stronger.
A brief history of the cliche
The term "cliche" is derived from a French term involved in printing. The connection is straightforward: just as a printer's stamp makes the same image repeatedly, a cliche in language is repetitive, too. Its presence suggests that the writer's ideas aren't original. People have been referring to overused ideas as "cliches" since approximately 1892.
The usefulness of the cliche
Of course, even the most stringent editor will admit that a cliche is useful. Sometimes, if a cliche is used carefully, it can have a humorous or profound effect. However, certain phrases endure only because they convey ideas succinctly; they are lazy shortcuts. For example, a store employee can quickly describe a sales event by saying, "The diamonds sold like hotcakes."
The most expedient description is not always the most thoughtful. Thus a well-trained journalist describing the aforementioned sale would choose words more creative than those of the store employee. Similarly, a lovestruck Romeo could easily compare his sweetheart's lips to a rose, but he might benefit from crafting a less predictable -- and thus more personal -- phrase.
Identifying cliches on your own
How can you spot a cliche? To keep yourself alert about cliches, remember that many of them are metaphors. Therefore, if your words aren't to be taken literally, you might be using a cliche. For example, "I'm sick of this" is a cliche unless the speaker has truly become ill. Similarly, unless a person has stained hands, he or she cannot be caught "red-handed". Furthermore, unless a group of businesspeople is hiking in the woods, their boss is advised against announcing, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it!"
To be clear, there is nothing wrong with metaphors per se. The threats to effective writing are metaphors that have become overused. If you enjoy using metaphors, then you can certainly create a few original ones to enhance your writing.
Identifying cliches with software
Nowadays, even free internet software knows about cliches. To help identify cliches in your writing, search for a free cliche finder online. Many sites offer free document scans that highlight worn-out phrases.
Replacing cliches
It's easy to identify cliches, but some people have trouble forming alternatives. Simply try to communicate as straightforwardly as possible. Remove metaphors from your speech. Instead of saying, "Let's touch base," toss away your imaginary baseball and simply state, "Let's talk." With a bit of practice, you'll find that replacing cliches is almost as easy as... pie?
More Verbal Communication Articles
Learn more about Speech & Communication
Watch Speech Videos
