Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

Cliches. Organic. Bully pulpit. Fimfy.

Oct 31, 2023

Linguistics and American Studies professors discuss cliches, idioms, slang, and the annoying nature of overused phrases. They delve into the 700-year history of the word 'organic' and its different meanings, from bodily organs to natural growth. Additionally, a personal story is shared about a made-up word and its impact.

19:39

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Episode guests

Jordan Lovejoy

Kirk Hazen

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Clichés can become trite and unoriginal due to their constant use, annoying certain audiences.

'Organic' has evolved from its original associations with bodily organs to encompass broader connotations in various contexts.

Deep dives

The Use of Clichés

Clichés are overused phrases that annoy people. They are distinct from idioms and slang. Clichés can become trite and unoriginal due to their constant use. The term 'cliché' originated from the printing process, in which an image was repeatedly reproduced in an identical form. Some clichés have been around for centuries, but their overuse can make them tiresome for certain audiences. Words and phrases used together can take on different meanings depending on the speaker and listener.

Introduction

2min

Idioms, Slang, and Cliches

7min

Learn a New Language with Rosetta Stone

3min

The Complex History of the Word 'Organic'

6min

A Personal Story About a Made-Up Word

4min

951. In honor of National Cliché day, we uncover why some overused phrases rub us the wrong way. What is the boundary between idioms, slang, and clichés—and should we give "adulting" a break? Then, we trace the 700-year history of "organic," from bodily organs to natural growth, and ask whether using a bully pulpit makes someone a bad person.

The "cliche" segment was written by Kirk Hazen, a professor of linguistics at West Virginia University, and Jordan Lovejoy, a visiting assistant professor of American Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It first appeared on The Conversation and appears here through a Creative Commons license (BY-ND 4.0).

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