|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
This evening, I came across the word angst. Now, the writer meant it in its deepest sense, but I confess that my first reaction was, "Oh, no, not that tired old cliché again".
Does it often happen that words get so over-used that their "worth" (in getting across the meaning as it was originally intended) is diminished? Is this a good thing? Are there other words this has happened to?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296 |
I don't think of the usage of the word 'angst' as a cliche. [Sorry about not using the accent in cliche, but I'm always too lazy to find it.]
But, Jackie, I'm too restrictive in what I would consider to be a cliche.
Webster's second definition ("2: a hackneyed theme, characterization, or situation") applies to what you suggest here.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
And is the word cliché itself a cliché?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,819
Pooh-Bah
|
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,819 |
Oh these discussions on cliches are so cliched.
Actually, I've always thought the expression "War is hell" is so pithy that it doesn't encourage one to reflect on it.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296 |
I'm sick to death of hearing about 'issues.' But isn't there a better word than 'cliche' for pointing the finger at overused words?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
WW, we were thinking alike on this; cliché was the closest thing I could think of. "That old chestnut" did come to mind, but didn't seem to quite fit the bill, either. I guess I was thinking of "angst" being used somewhat along the lines of how even a half-baked TV show will now say something about how any adult with any problem can blame it on having had a rough childhood; I have seen angst used so often that it now brings me (perhaps inappropriately) a mental image of a horde of millions complaining about their angst. And every last one of them may genuinely feel it. But it makes me think, "Well, then, get up and DO something about it, or be quiet so I don't have to listen to it any more". Cold-hearted, that's me!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296 |
I like chestnut as a term, so, Jackie, we need a term that sounds more disagreeable.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,055
old hand
|
|
old hand
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,055 |
>Oh these discussions on cliches are so cliched.
I know! Can't anyone try thinking outside the box nowdays? Back in the day, we used to push the envelope, explore new terrain, boldly go...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154
Pooh-Bah
|
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154 |
"Familiarity breeds contempt."
The problem with cliches is that they are often so true and so familiar that trying to find another phrase can sound forced yet the commonness robs the word/phrase of the impact it should have.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 176
member
|
|
member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 176 |
Here're a few coins for the fountian:
- trite-bite
- mentalitosis (mental halitosis)
- wordzak (cf. muzak)
- Lee Press-on Phrase
- word-tur...
I'm leaning toward becoming potty-keyboarded, so I'll stop now.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
your first and last coins would make fine fodder for a game of stinky-pinky. (a game which stunk up the place here some time ago -- it only seems to work well as a parlor game.)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
game of stinky-pinky Augh, don't tempt me--I have 437 new posts in W&F; don't know when I'll get up the nerve to try and catch up...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296 |
I like wordzak a lot, and mentalitosis is terrific, though I don't think it applies well to the situation at hand. Mentalitosis sounds as though applied to a person who entertains offensive thoughts. I really like that word a great deal, dgeigh.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 176
member
|
|
member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 176 |
mentalitosis is terrific, though I don't think it applies well to the situation at hand. Mentalitosis sounds as though applied to a person who entertains offensive thoughts.
Yeah, it is kind of a stretch. I was shooting for something that reflected the thought – or rather lack of thought – motivating the use of a hackneyed phrase, and tried to combine it with something offensive coming out of the mouth, essentially, equating the voicing of a hackneyed phrase with bad breath.
stinky-pinky. (a game which stunk up the place here some time ago -- it only seems to work well as a parlor game.)
‘Round here it’s called Hink-Pink. With a few modifications, it actually made a passable board game. I still have the prototype around the house somewhere – never got around to trying to publish it though. One of these days I ought to drag it out and work on it some more.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
>never got around to trying to publish it though.
let's do lunch -- my people will call... uh, never mind, I have no people.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296 |
tsuwm, but you have minions. What are they, if not people? Maybe you shouldn't answer that question.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757 |
What are they, if not people?
It's just a patter of a minion.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
Gracious goodness, mav--all this time I've thought you weren't religious, and now I find you're a Reverend! Found a fun little site on him, which quotes among other things: Patriotic fervour excited Spooner as well. He raised his toast to Her Highness Victoria: "Three cheers for our queer old dean!" http://www.fun-with-words.com/spoon_history.html
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
Wow, that's a long list! 'Tis my opinion they cheated a bit here 'n there, however. Example being:
table
verb • to propose; suggest
• to postpone; shelve
As far as I have ever heard, to table something means to postpone it, period. If you're proposing something, you bring it to the table.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 273
enthusiast
|
|
enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 273 |
>to propose; suggest
This meaning is very common wherever EII is HoS.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757 |
This meaning is very common wherever EII is HoS.
Yes, you're spot on Vernon. But watch out or Jackie'll be trying to tell you that 'EII' stands for some sorta Kaintucka educational establishment... ;)
not religious? hey, I've passed my Firelighting and Advanced Torture modules, what MORE do you expect!?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296 |
Hmmm, I thought it was a wing on a New England house where the occupants kept the beasties...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
'EII
grab that handbasket...
formerly known as etaoin...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
handbasket Yeah, I got that part; but what's "oS"?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210 |
> oS
actually, I think Vernon's talking about the Queen...
formerly known as etaoin...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 273
enthusiast
|
|
enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 273 |
EII is HoS of several countries, but is HoG of none, save possibly the Channel Islands (as Duke of Normandy), and the Isle of Man.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
['nother lightbulb] Ell isn't an ell, but...Elizabeth the second! Right? And, therefore, HoS = Head of State!...? A hog is, er, head of government? Depending on the country, maybe? 
|
|
|
|
|
