Sunday 22 March 2015

Overuse syndrome

I was curious about It's been said before by American lexicographer Orin Hargreaves. Subtitle: A guide to the use and abuse of cliches, OUP, 2014. I thought I'd educate myself.

I abandoned it before reaching half-way: cliches are intrinsically boring, and many cliches gathered together are deadly, even though Mr. Hargreaves' comments about them are agreeable and light. I decided to keep the book for reference, though my son pointed out that any expression giving rise to the slightest doubt is best deleted, and obversely, should there be no doubt, the book would not be consulted either.