The Narcotics of Linguistics

A less structured post... inspired by the concept of being dumbed down.

This title is not my own invention. It was extracted from the article Clichés are not dead as doornail by Jeffrey Westhoff of the Northwest Herald (I have to insert my editorial comments here... why is his article entitled not dead as doornail instead of not dead as a doornail or not dead as doornails? That is a very sloppy title, his editor should be ashamed.). Westhoff doesn't say much in his article. It is not a groundbreaking report detaiiling a resurgence in cliché popularity. However, despite not revealing the darkside of clichés, Westhoff's article still gives us something to think about... clichés as the drug of our vocabulary.

Why do we use clichés so much? Is it a result of laziness or are clichés such a part of our culture that they do not have an effective replacement?

Let us sample some clichés... handsome is as handsome does, kill two birds with one stone, came up smelling like roses, heads will roll, can't see the forest for the trees, see light at the end of the tunnel, naked truth, money doesn't grow on trees, sell like hotcakes, take with a grain of salt, right on the money, a no win situation, rule with an iron fist... Needless to say the list goes on and on.

Dictionary.com, the poor student's answer to the OED online, (editorial comments... why do UVic students get the UPass and access to the OED online?) in the section identifying synonyms for cliché (bromide, commonplace, platitude, truism), states that these nouns denote an expression or idea that has lost its originality or force through overuse. If the originality and the power behind these expressions is gone, why do we persist in still using them?

From Westhoff's article

"I think that people use them because they are attuned to them," said Greg Alfus, a retired English instructor from McHenry County College with a fascination of linguistics. "They don't realize what's coming out of their mouths or appearing in their [writing]."

Newer clichés, buzzwords such as "proactive," spread through a sort of peer pressure, said Gabriel Decio, an English instructor at MCC.

"People use it as a hallmark of being up to date, of being an insider instead of an outsider," Decio said. "But in several years a new word will come in because people will need a new way to convinve themselves they are on the cutting edge."

(editoral comments... Please note the limits in the verb selection; each source "said". If you check out the full text of the article you will see many other saids... Editor, where are you or is it standard journalistic practice to use only one verb relating to speech in a story? Is the media dumbing us down? What would this article read like if you were to replace said with synonyms such as articulated, recounted, uttered, voiced, etc.? I have a slight obsession with synonyms, please forgive me.)

Is the answer to the mystery that we use clichés because we all just want to fit in? Does our desire to be seen as "cutting edge" make our overuse of clichés acceptable? I can just imagine a defense for a cliché ridden document, "But [insert instructor's/editor's/reviewer's name here], everyone is doing it. What do you mean I can't tell people in our sales pitch that beggars can't be choosers? Money doesn't grow on trees you know. They know what side of their bread is buttered on." Perhaps my example included a few too many antiquated clichés. Not exactly the "cream of the crop" you might say. Let me give an example of a more hip use of cliché and see if it fares any better. From Westhoff's article, "Let me give you a heads up on the new killer app coming out of the Left Coast. Those guys really think outside the box." Now, I have to ask the question... are clichés dumbing us down? Are we not capable of expressing ourselves so that we are understood by others without the assistance of the cliché?

"Everything in moderation," some might argue. "Keep a stiff upper lip. Don't cry over spilled milk," others might intone. "Clichés are a far cry from being a albatross around the neck," a few might pronounce. Despite the obvious prominence of clichés in our everyday conversation, we should not allow ourselves to be passified. What happens when clichés take on a life of their own? Much like jargon filled abstruseness (see my last post... alternative working title The Jargon Bargain...) overuse of cliché interferes with the clarity of the written work and rather than improve our communication, reduces it to a level of generality and monotony.

For a drole look at the an overdeveloped set of clichés specific to the literary world, go to Tom Payne's article Circle of Clichés. Payne's discussion of words that reviewers and publishers love too much may perhaps inspire us to step back and look at our writing more critically. Already we look for mistakes in grammar, unecessary use of jargon, repetition of similar adjectives, verbs, etc, and flaws to the overall structure of our document and flow of ideas. In an effort to regain some element of originality to our writing we also need to be conscious of our reliance on cliché and make efforts to limit their use or find new ways to say the same old thing. Clichés became popular because they are helpful for people in remembering things. So make up your own. Create your own memorable soundbite.

From Westhoff's article

As English instructors, Alfus and Decio don't mind spoken clichés nearly as much as ones that appear on the page. "In writing, clichés are a sign of a lack of creativity," Decio said.

But not matter how many English teachers harangue their students not to use clichés, Decio knows they will remain part of the language.

"People are not going to give them up," he said. "Language is not what they tell us it should be. Language is what it is."

Is that where we are left? Things are what they are? An interesting attitude... think of how well that works when we see injustice in the world. "Oh well, it is what it is." I am not about to let my vocabulary be overthrown by cliché. I don't want to be addicted anymore. I see a light at the end of the tunnel and I'm heading for that. Anyone care to join?