Out, damn'd cliché 4
February 26th 2009 04:59
Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
Orwell's edict, a fundamental rule of good writing, is about clichés. The word is taken from the French word for stereotype. In English, we use it to denote words, phrases or ideas which have been overused to the point where they lose their force. To say something should be avoided like the plague would have been clever, amusing and memorable back whenever that expression was fresh. With overuse, it has become dull.
Use of clichés is lazy communication. In text, they denote an impoverished writer. They are a sin, and every time you use one the ghost of George Orwell writes your name in a large black book.
What follows is a writing exercise. The five sentences below contain clichés. Identify the infected area, spray with a mixture of one part red ink and three parts editorial zeal, and rewrite with words kissed by freshness.
Today's theme will test your mettle. Post your efforts as a comment so we can all see how you did. For each good effort, George's ghost will remove one mention of your name in that black book.
Are you a man or a mouse?
Will you do it, or will you chicken out?
This is not for the faint-hearted.
Do you have the courage of your convictions?
It will separate the men from the boys.
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Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Teresa Ralton
MRS SMITH
READ THIS
SISTERS IN CRIME
Comment by Teresa Ralton
MRS SMITH
READ THIS
SISTERS IN CRIME
*Can you stand firm and not shrink from a battering?
*Will you take the leap when you reach the abyss?
*Only the fearless can battle in the shadows
*Do the winds of change quell your conviction?
*The brave survive, the weak surrender
Comment by Chris Champion
LettersToNorm
Vyoos
Zoomies
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The Blog of Lists
As for chicken out, I think you have a point, but my feeling - and this is subjective - is that the expression was a colloquialism before it became a cliche and no matter how uncliched it has become it remains a colloquialism!
Oh dear, I have put those little slopy things on the word cliche. Ack, I'm too tired to fix them. Forgive me
Comment by Teresa Ralton
MRS SMITH
READ THIS
SISTERS IN CRIME
And can you tell me how you got those slopey things?(I can't remember what they're called either) I seem to have only one on my keyboard and it slants in the other direction.
Comment by Teresa Ralton
MRS SMITH
READ THIS
SISTERS IN CRIME
Comment by Spike 2
Wordophilia
Qwerk
Peanut Butter
I had a go, but without context it's incredibly difficult to replace them. The first one, for example, could be something as simple as "Are you going to be brave and do it?" or it could be something more specific, depending on circumstances.
My brain hurts.
Comment by Chris Champion
LettersToNorm
Vyoos
Zoomies
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I think, "Are you going to be brave and do it?" is perfect. It is plain language delivering a clear message, without resort to clichés.