The last time we did a general introduction of “clichés still in vogue despite their blunt edges.” In between my write ups, I would break and do a serial on the 50 commonly used clichés the English purists and masters instruct us to watch out for, study them closely and avoid them “like a plague.” There goes one of them, “avoid like a plague.” As we noted earlier, clichés are ever present, begging to be engaged or employed the moment it crosses one’s mind to share his or her opinion or thoughts on paper for public consumption. It is never farfetched, but always handy to tell the writer and essayist how cheap they come. The uninitiated or the beginners still learning the ropes are easily tempted to fall flat for them without taking a second look. It calls for vigilance on the side of the user of the language of mass communication to play safe. The avalanche of clichés that holds us down at every turn in the spoken or written word is unimaginable, just as they jostle for attention. The question is; should one give in or surrender to them without putting up a fight? The answer is; “no.” Confront them each time they dance around you through hard work. Put it plainly, read and research severally to find better alternative to put them where they belong, as clichés. To put it plainly, one should read and research severally to find better alternative to keep them at bay. If one is the lazy and unserious type, he should be prepared and keep on romancing with them with the consequence of sounding boring and repetitive. It is never a good choice to make. My advice always to writers, the journalists and reporters who are seen as role models or bearers of information, and are religiously followed by the crowd, should not fail to dig out the right word or phrase, and even go beyond the clichés in vogue, while performing the cardinal role of informing, educating and entertaining the publics. They can achieve this by going after fresher words and expanding their vocabularies.
The lexicographers, in their wisdom have provided us with standard reference materials to increase our knowledge. That which readily comes to mind and quick to find is the English thesaurus and the dictionary. The thesaurus and dictionary, aside from other reference books, appear to be the recommended materials that should not escape the eyes of the writer as they contain thousand of synonyms, and of invaluable aid to the students and writers. Just as one English purist puts it, the English thesaurus and dictionary are ideal reference books for the home, school or office. However, for the reporter, he or she not only writes but tells the story of events using the broadcast medium; radio and television. The reporter would have to rely on the Daniel Jones of this world to speak and pronounce words properly. Back to our countdown to 50 most commonly recycled clichés, in our opening serial, we said there are hundreds, if not thousands of them, but that the most abused and still in circulation, even as we speak and write, starts with “add insult to injury,” “as a matter of fact,” “as well as can be expected,” “at the end of your tether,” “avoid like a plague.” You could count your own as the countdown to 50 most commonly used clichés begins.
