March 1995
With all due respect, if you are in a rut, maybe it is time to go back to square one and get into the swing of things. Remember, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Seldom do people write or speak entirely in cliches-we can all heave a sigh of relief over that. Cliches can be overworked expressions that make the speaker seem like a dunce, or they can serve to sum up a point or situation in a light and humorous manner.
James Rogers, in his book, The Dictionary of Cliches, cites the origins of some of the English language's most familiar expressions. Covering sayings from "a-ok" to "your guess is as good as mine," Rogers tells the meanings and origins of more than 2,000 cliches.
Some cliches found in Rogers' book date back hundreds of years, and most originate in the printed form. The cliche "for what it's worth," dates back to 1377 when William Langland coined the phrase in his book, Piers Plowman.
If you have ever desired to get away "far from the madding crowd," you are in good company. Coined in 1750 by Thomas Gray in Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard, Thomas Hardy made it the title of one of his novels in 1874.
Clichˇs that originated more recently include the one that most night owls hate-"rise and shine," meaning get out of bed with some pep in your step. Originating in 1916, it was offered as a suggestion in the United States Marine Corps Recruiters' Bulletin to be used to wake up enlisted privates at 5 a.m.
Rogers' book makes a quick and interesting read for anyone who is interested in the English language and how some of its most famous phrases came about. So get the lead out of your feet and check your local bookstore for a copy.