“Last, but not least, avoid clichés like the plague.”—William Safire
CLICHÉ: noun
Etymology: French, literally, printer's stereotype, from past participle of clichér, to stereotype, of imitative origin
Date: 1892
1 : a trite phrase or expression; also : the idea expressed by it
2 : a hackneyed theme, characterization, or situation
3 : something that has become overly familiar or commonplace
In the words of Stephen Fry, “It is a cliché that most clichés are true, but then like most clichés, that cliché is untrue.” Clichés are like rationalizations: try going a week without using one. It can't be done! They are the hobgoblin of little minds. For most of us, once you begin to take notice, they are fingernails on a chalkboard.
From Shakespeare to Shakira; in music, on television, at the movies; in the boardroom, on a conference call, online or in person, clichés have taken over the world. While some nitwits might say they're just misunderstood, they didn't start out that way. There was a time when they were new and vibrant, clever and pithy. Now they're just predictable—a vapid collection of much-too-familiar descriptions or metaphors that often replace smart conversation, speech, or writing.
This book is a collection of the most overused phrases of all time. Hopefully, it'll make you laugh. Hopefully, it'll make them think. And at the end of the day, if the early bird catches the worm and the slow and steady win the race . . .
Please . . . kill . . . me . . . now.
20 black-and-white illustrations

lgli/9781616086350.Skyhorse Publishing.Lawrence Dorfman.Snark Handbook_ Cliches Edition_ Overused Buzzwords, Hackneyed Phrases, and Other Misuses of the English Language, The.Nov.2012

nexusstc/The Snark Handbook: Clichés Edition: Overused Buzzwords, Hackneyed Phrases, and Other Misuses of the English Language/3e51b6c429786c405b1d021700fd395c.epub

The snark handbook: cliches edition: overused buzzwords, hackneyed phrases, and other misuses of the English language

Dorfman, Lawrence

Skyhorse ; Constable & Robinson [distributor

United States, United States of America

Cliché's ed, New York, London, 2013

Simon & Schuster, New York, 2009

New York, New York State, 2012

0

lg1023239

{"edition":"1","isbns":["1616086351","9781616086350"],"last_page":240,"publisher":"Skyhorse Publishing"}

<p>CLICHÉ: noun Etymology: French, literally, printer's stereotype, from past participle of clichér, to stereotype, of imitative origin Date: 1892<br>
1 : a trite phrase or expression; also : the idea expressed by it<br>
2 : a hackneyed theme, characterization, or situation<br>
3 : something that has become overly familiar or commonplace</p>
<p>In the words of Stephen Fry, “It is a cliché that most clichés are true, but then like most clichés, that cliché is untrue.” Clichés are like rationalizations: try going a week without using one. It can't be done! They are the hobgoblin of little minds. For most of us, once you begin to take notice, they are fingernails on a chalkboard.</p>
<p>From Shakespeare to Shakira; in music, on television, at the movies; in the boardroom, on a conference call, online or in person, clichés have taken over the world. While some nitwits might say they're just misunderstood, they didn't start out that way. There was a time when they were new and vibrant, clever and pithy. Now they're just predictable—a vapid collection of much-too-familiar descriptions or metaphors that often replace smart conversation, speech, or writing.</p>
<p>This book is a collection of the most overused phrases of all time. Hopefully, it'll make you laugh. Hopefully, it'll make them think. And at the end of the day, if the early bird catches the worm and the slow and steady win the race . . .</p>
<p> Please . . . kill . . . me . . . now.</p>

From Shakespeare to Shakira; in music, on television, at the movies; in the boardroom, on a conference call, online or in person, cliches have taken over the world. While some nitwits might say they're just misunderstood, they didn't start out that way. There was a time when they were new and vibrant, clever and pithy.

Collects the English language's most overused phrases and complements each selection with humorous commentary

2013-10-16