As we celebrate National Cliche Day, it’s time to embrace our love-hate relationship with cliches. These overused phrases may make us cringe at times, but they have become a part of our everyday language and might even hold a special place in our hearts.
Some may argue that using cliches shows a lack of creativity or originality, but these expressions have stood the test of time for a reason. And we just can’t seem to shake them. They are catchy and concise ways to convey common ideas and emotions.
Sometimes, there’s just no better way to say something than with a well-known cliche.
The Origin of Cliches
The word “cliche” comes from the French term “cliché,” which is the past participle of “click.” It was first used in the printing industry to describe the printing plate used to create multiple copies of an image or text. Over time, it evolved to refer to overused phrases and ideas.
Some cliches have been around for centuries, while others have more modern origins. Some may have started as original expressions but became overused through repeated use in literature, movies, music, and everyday conversations.
These days, even the phrase “that’s so cliche” is ironic in itself. It has become a cliche to point out cliches.
Love them or hate them?
Cliches often evoke strong reactions from people. Some find them annoying and unimaginative, while others see them as a way to connect with others and express shared experiences.
However, using too many cliches can also make one appear unoriginal or insincere. It’s all about finding a balance and knowing when to use them sparingly for effect.
Embrace All the Cliches Today
On National Cliche Day, take a moment to appreciate these common expressions and their role in our language. Embrace them with open arms, and have fun incorporating as many cliches as you can into your conversations and social media posts.
Today’s goal is to see how many eye-rolls you can elicit before you can’t help but start laughing.
Here are some popular cliches that you can use today:
- “Actions speak louder than words”
- “Better late than never”
- “A picture is worth a thousand words”
- “All’s well that ends well”
- “Don’t judge a book by its cover”
- “If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again”
- “Love makes the world go round”
- “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”
There’s no time like the present (yep, another cliche) to celebrate National Cliche Day.
JayDee Vykoukal is a writer, author, mom, and Doctor of Physical Therapy. She has been writing about everything motherhood and health-related since 2018 when her first daughter was born, and she wanted to stay home. She loves to research new topics and fun facts with her kids to teach them about the world.
