Comments on: Comments on 15797

Post number 15797

Mack Twain — Mon, 25 Mar 2002 12:42:27 -0800

Depressed? Cheer up, it's not the end of the world. You know, it seems that The more things change, the more they stay the same . Undecided? When in doubt, consult your inner child . Sure it hurts, but No pain, no gain .Many believe There is truth in every cliché , while others say you should Avoid cliches like the plague . What's your most hated or loved cliche? The Book of Clichés.

By: rocketman

rocketman — Mon, 25 Mar 2002 13:19:33 -0800

This is the most evil post, ever. We do not need to be discussing cliches, thankyouverymuch.

By: Voyageman

Voyageman — Mon, 25 Mar 2002 13:25:35 -0800

An alternative

By: five fresh fish

five fresh fish — Mon, 25 Mar 2002 13:51:31 -0800

No, let's talk about great cliches! Not the tired old stuff that we normally hear, but the original stuff that kinda makes you go "whu!?" Like "built like a brick shithouse." I'm pretty sure that's a Navy abomination of "build like a brick shipyard" or something like that. Or "crazier than a shithouse rat." Not sure why those rats are crazy, but so it says. "He's about as sharp as Kleenex." :-) Tip of the tongue has got me now. Dang. I know I know a few really good ones, too. Humph.

By: MiguelCardoso

MiguelCardoso — Mon, 25 Mar 2002 13:59:33 -0800

Most hated cliché: AYBABTU, because it's old; most loved: BOHITCO(Bend Over, Here It Comes Again"), because it's new. Can't find the link but I read it somewhere today.

By: ZachsMind

ZachsMind — Mon, 25 Mar 2002 13:59:48 -0800

I love cliches. I use'm all the time. One of the many glorious reasons why people hate me. In a recent thread elsewhere in MeFi recently someone used a cliche I hadn't heard before, "that's a whole different movie." I thought that one was pretty cool and will probably adopt it into my day to day life. I especially like it when cliches are used incorrectly. In the film Back To The Future Part Two, phrases like "screen door on a battleship" just tickle me to no end. Or how about Kevin Coster's attempt at Hollywood, saved by Alan Rickman's portrayal of the Sheriff of Nottingham. "Because it's dull you twit! It'll hurt more!"

By: ZachsMind

ZachsMind — Mon, 25 Mar 2002 14:01:58 -0800

typo: Hollywood = Robin Hood. Geez. Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue.

By: smich

smich — Mon, 25 Mar 2002 14:09:10 -0800

Another entertaining cliche link: movie cliches.

By: Settle

Settle — Mon, 25 Mar 2002 15:19:00 -0800

And by a cliche, I mean totally sweet

By: chrimble

chrimble — Mon, 25 Mar 2002 16:35:59 -0800

"Built like a brick shithouse" or "built like a brick outhouse" (the more polite version) is a phrase originating in the UK dating back to when toilets used to be built separately from the main house. Indoor toilets (the luxury!) only became commonplace after World War 2. Think of something about 4 feet square, and 7 1/2 feet high, built to withstand a gale. Hopefully, it all makes sense now! 8)

By: th3ph17

th3ph17 — Mon, 25 Mar 2002 17:14:56 -0800

Just an idea that has been floating around my brain for a while....is anyone here interested in a project where we write and spread our own cliches? the net would be perfect for doing that... as an example, last week over lunch, i told my friend that i thought he was a "tall yoda." since then, i've been asking people to use it like its a well established cliche or idiom for "someone who thinks they know everything." So far, i haven't heard anyone else use it.

By: bradlands

bradlands — Mon, 25 Mar 2002 17:32:30 -0800

Depending on your definition of "new," BOHICA isn't, really. I can recall hearing it used when I worked in telecom circa 1991; here's a reference dating it to 1995.

By: a_green_man

a_green_man — Mon, 25 Mar 2002 17:42:34 -0800

"Ain't nothin' but something to do." Sounds good and cocky, huh? Great for playing pool.

By: lotsofno

lotsofno — Mon, 25 Mar 2002 18:41:16 -0800

settle, one more ninja reference and there'll be no dinner for you...

By: sheauga

sheauga — Mon, 25 Mar 2002 18:49:56 -0800

Thanks for the link, but it's like locking the barn door after the horse is already gone. I already put my foot in it bigtime over in MetaTalk with the "cheer up, it could be worse" routine. Must have checked my brains at the door, eh? If I can't be a good example, I'll just have to be a horrible warning. When you spout cliches to beat the band, you'll find your chickens come home to roost.

By: five fresh fish

five fresh fish — Mon, 25 Mar 2002 19:08:54 -0800

chrimble: D-oh! Of *course!* I kept thinking of Canadian-style outhouses, usually built of the cheapest-available plank wood. (When the hole fills, you move the outhouse... what on earth did you poor Brits do?!)

By: y2karl

y2karl — Mon, 25 Mar 2002 20:36:46 -0800

The hand washes the hand: give something and you may get something. Epicharmus of Syracuse I'm always interested in finding the originals or first uses...

By: milkman

milkman — Mon, 25 Mar 2002 21:22:02 -0800

but wait a second. what does it mean for something to be a 'cliche'? is it possible to 'write' an 'original' cliche? it seems like you can write 'catchy phrases' or 'euphamisms' or 'similes' but something has to just be a cliche in order to be a cliche.

By: readymade

readymade — Mon, 25 Mar 2002 22:52:13 -0800

What about a movie quote that sounded like an already- prevalent cliche, and then became one for real? Just watched Buckeroo Banzai: "No matter where you go, there you are."

By: pracowity

pracowity — Mon, 25 Mar 2002 22:58:59 -0800

> what does it mean for something to be a 'cliche'? "cli·ché: a trite, stereotyped expression; a sentence or phrase, usually expressing a popular or common thought or idea, that has lost originality, ingenuity, and impact by long overuse, as sadder but wiser, or strong as an ox." > In a recent thread elsewhere in MeFi recently someone > used a cliche I hadn't heard before, "that's a whole > different movie." How did you decide it was a cliché if you hadn't ever heard it? What made you believe it was an expression that had "lost originality, ingenuity, and impact by long overuse" when it was the first time you had heard it? > is anyone here interested in a project where we write > and spread our own cliches? You could make up and try to spread your own silly expressions until the cows come home, but they can't be clichés until they are trite, an ingredient you and your friends cannot simply add. > is it possible to 'write' an 'original' cliche? No.

By: ColdChef

ColdChef — Tue, 26 Mar 2002 06:45:52 -0800

A guy who digs graves for my dad has two favorite sayings: (For something he thinks won't work): That dog won't hunt. (For an argument he doesn't want to get involved in): I ain't got a dog in that race.

By: faceonmars

faceonmars — Tue, 26 Mar 2002 07:35:58 -0800

My favorite epigram is, "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger." Neitze said that, and he's dead. My second favorite quote is, "There's time enough for rest in the grave." Ben Franklin said that and he is probably pretty well rested by now. My kids really, really hate both of those sayings by now.

By: kliuless

kliuless — Tue, 26 Mar 2002 07:48:28 -0800

i like, "in theory, theory and practice are the same. in practice, theory and practice are not the same." i saw that on slashdot the other day.

By: milkman

milkman — Tue, 26 Mar 2002 08:26:17 -0800

"in theory, theory and practice are the same. in practice, theory and practice are not the same." by existing, this statement disproves itself.

By: kliuless

kliuless — Tue, 26 Mar 2002 09:00:35 -0800

is that a cliché or aphoristic?