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Faldage: I am at a loss to understand what the loss is in the change of meaning of the phrase "the lion's share." For one thing it's a cliché and some would prefer it not be used at all... Stealing this off the 'lion's share' where Uncle Ben is not lured back even by an excellent tea party. I'd like to know: when does an idiomatic expression become a cliché. I presume they are not really synonyms. A cliché imo. is an expression that has lost all true meaning. Like: "every cloud has a silver lining". First; it not true, see: no silver lining Second; it's a secure killer of eventual empathy. Could it be most clichés are in fact expressions that have an evasive function ? End of conversation remarks ? The lion's share does not look like a cliché to me.
Last edited by BranShea; 01/27/08 01:40 PM.
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Pooh-Bah
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Bran for what it's worth that was my reaction also
dalehileman
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when does an idiomatic expression become a cliché. I presume they are not really synonyms.
Why? The two words are near synonyms, only the connotations of one are pejorative. Like grammar and filth, these connotations are in the mind of the hearer (not listener).
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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Carpal Tunnel
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"Every cloud has a silver lining " can be used in two ways, positive to cheer one up (for what it's worth), negative to just take an easy way out of someone's problem.
When something bad happens to someone it's easy to throw in: "Ach , well, every cloud etc."
"The lion's share", I don't know maybe to say it right, seems more like a matter of fact thing.
If this is definitely just a personal vieuw , then I'm glad to know.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Like grammar and filth, these connotations are in the mind of the hearer (not listener). heh
formerly known as etaoin...
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Like grammar and filth, these connotations are in the mind of the hearer (not listener). heh ZM, Yes, this has an air of being funny, but I have no idea what filth has to do with all this. Did I use a dirt word? Or was it not clear that I wrote "presume " in the smallest possible font.
Last edited by BranShea; 01/27/08 06:52 PM.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Did I use a dirt word?
No, though some might consider cliché to be a dirty word.
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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Pooh-Bah
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My high school English teacher's definition of a cliche was any expression, especially a synonym or metaphor, that is so overused as to lose impact and which is used instead of thinking creatively of a new phrase. Beet red, high as a kite, etc.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Did I use a dirt word?
No, though some might consider clich� to be a dirty word. and I thought you were thinking of grammar....
formerly known as etaoin...
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Carpal Tunnel
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and I thought you were thinking of grammar....
Grammar's a dirty gal, but folks'll git over it.
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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