Cliches and the writers who love them

As a headline writer, I rely on twisting cliches. Some readers probably think we headline writers fall back on word play too often. I think, instead, that we are establishing commonality with our readers. We English speakers are all in on the joke, for instance, if the headline on a photo of the president wielding a garden tool were “When Bush comes to shovel.” We hope it’s clever, but its wit depends on the reader recognizing an old saying (push comes to shove). Writers turn to familiar sayings to connect with readers and to make their writing sound more conversational.

On the other hand, writers can use cliches as a crude way to add color to their work. How many times can we read “fast forward” as a transition before the phrase begins to repel us, to call more attention to itself than to the story that the writer is trying to tell? And if “bigger is better” shows up one more time, won’t we readers just throw the piece we’re reading to the floor?

I have a new language book in my collection that is all about overworked words and phrases. “The Dimwit’s Dictionary” by Robert Hartwell Fiske (1994 with updates) is filled to the brim (I decided not to resist) with what the author calls “dimwitticisms” and his suggested alternatives to these commonplace remarks. One category is “moribund metaphors,” such as “emotional roller coaster” and “everything but the kitchen sink.” He writes about one of my favorites, “worst nightmare,” a phrase that TV news people use every time something terrible happens to a child: It was a parent’s worst nightmare. Now the phrase has no meaning at all because it has been overused, even if it might have meant something to begin with.

Of course, I live in a glass house, and here I am throwing stones. Familiar phrases are my stock in trade, my raison d’etre, my arsenal. So even if I have Fiske’s “Dimwit’s Dictionary” on my desk and turn to it for an alternative or a laugh, I will still find plenty to like about some familiar words and phrases. Living without them would be my worst nightmare.

This article was originally posted by the Raleigh News & Observer, a subsidiary of The McClatchy Co.; is posted here to provide continuity; and is copyright © 2011 The News & Observer Publishing Company, which reserves the right to remove this post.