We are counselled to avoid the use of clichés in our writing, mainly because clichés are overused pieces of language that have lost any freshness of meaning, sometimes to the point of futility; they detract rather than add to the written word.
That injunction led me to muse on why we use clichés in our speech. And the musing led me to several potential reasons for their use. In no particular order (is that a cliché?), here are the musings:
We imitate an old or a new phrase we have heard someone say where we believe the speaker is worth imitating. As they say – imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. (Oh no, another cliché.)
We become lazy in our speech and instead of thinking about making a meaningful contribution to the conversation or discussion, because sometimes it’s a tough row to hoe, we don’t make the effort. (Yes, another one – but it could be two.)
We think the phrase is appropriate and everyone will understand what is meant, because they have heard it a hundred times before. (Wait, there’s more.)
We hear them often and convince ourselves they are popular, and we should use them – because we want to play on the even playing field. (They are endless, are they not?)
Enough of this musing, though I am sure we can all come up with many more reasons for using clichés. And to be fair, there are times when a cliché is apt.
A more important musing intrudes. We have read (and maybe, heard) the famous speeches, marvelled at the poetic word, been transported by the language that builds a magnificent picture in our mind of beauty or sheer terror.
Let us aspire to that ideal and shun the cliché.
Burnside Writers Group 