The Cliche Slayer

"One-Stop Shop"

2009-09-03T21:20:00.004-05:00

Example: "This webpage is your one-stop shop for all the HR forms, documents, and links you need."

What it really means: A single place that provides multiple items or services.

More info: A phrase that started as an obvious description of a large storefront has morphed into a lame description of any single thing that provides a variety of requirements. In addition to actual shops, I've heard it refer to financial institutions, websites, and even documents.

Slay it because: First, it just bugs me to imply that I should shop -- i.e. spend my money -- at something that isn't even a store. Second, it's really getting out of hand when I'm told that a document is my one-stop shop for all the information I need; it spreads the intended meaning too thin. It would be better to call the document, website, etc., comprehensive or that it includes everything I need.

Sources:

http://rmjacobsen.squarespace.com/notebook/2009/7/22/a-rant-about-clicheacutes.html
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/one-stop-shop.html

"Drink the Kool-Aid"

2009-07-18T13:47:00.004-05:00

Example: I'm not going to drink the Kool-Aid and believe everything management tells us.

What it really means: to blindly embrace or buy into

More info: This is another example of a cliche that started with a tragedy. In 1978, cult leader Jim Jones directed his followers to commit mass suicide by drinking poison-laced Kool-Aid. It has come to mean blind faith in someone of authority. It's almost always negative.

Slay it because: In addition to being overused, this cliche bugs me because it just sounds dumb. And for folks who don't have the cult back story to refer to, it doesn't even make sense. Also, I'm pretty sure Kraft Foods, Inc., the makers of the totally awesome Kool-Aid soft drink, would rather not have their product associated with such a negative phrase.

Sources:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=drink+the+kool-aid

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kool-Aid

"Old School"

2009-05-24T15:17:00.002-05:00

Example: "Meghan McCain ridiculed the party her father headed this past election, declaring that 'old school Republicans' were 'scared sh**less' of the changing landscape." ~~ From Huntington Post, April 18, 2009

What it really means: old fashioned; in an old style; often, in a tougher, less complicated fashion

More info: This one is hard to research (mostly because a Google search comes up with the 2003 Will Ferrel movie and little else), and I can't find the origins of the phrase.

In my experience, I've heard it much more in the sports arena than anywhere else, but I've noticed that it's used increasingly to talk about everyday things. In sports, it generally is used as a compliment (comparing one to players who were tougher and played harder and made less money). But, it seems to be morphing to mean "not up-to-date" (someone told me that my simple flip-style cell phone was "old school" -- it's only three years old), and is being used less complimentary (like the above example).

Slay it because: it's everywhere lately: old school recipes, old school video games, old school music, etc. And the impressions of things from the past are generally inaccurate anyway.

"In Your Own Words"

2009-05-04T15:24:00.002-05:00

Example: "Tell me in your own words how you feel about getting this big win today."

What it really means: Well, I'm not really sure -- I guess it means "don't use cliches" or "don't say something you've memorized."

More info: I'm not sure this is really a cliche because I don't hear it terribly often. I usually only hear it in crime dramas or in impromptu interviews. While this phrase seems perfectly appropriate in a crime drama (as far as I can tell, but I have a pretty low threshold for suspending my disbelief when it comes to crime dramas), it's just plain out of place in an interview.

Slay it because: it's totally unnecessary. If you're sticking a microphone in my face and asking me how I feel about something, or what my opinion is, whose words would I use if I don't use my own? Plus, it has a bit of a bossy feel to it. It's best to skip it altogether.

"Throw Under the Bus"

2009-04-15T20:28:00.003-05:00

Example: At the press conference after the loss, the coach threw the quarterback under the bus.

What it really means: to call out publicly, to make someone a scapegoat, to unfairly blame someone to make yourself look better

More info: I heard this one for a long time in the sports world, but now I've started hearing it in the political world. There was a big stink when candidate Obama threw his former pastor under the bus.

Slay it because: Its over-use is getting out of hand. It's becoming the catch-phrase for any kind of blame, deserved and undeserved. It would be better to just state what the "thrower" said about the other person. Besides, it's more polite to refrain from blaming anyone for anything.

Sources:
http://www.word-detective.com/2008/02/12/under-the-bus-to-throw/
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=throw+under+the+bus
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08184/894024-51.stm

"Perfect Storm"

2009-04-01T21:12:00.001-05:00

Example: A perfect storm of bad luck and bad planning caused the company to go out of business.

What it really means: a convergence of small, unrelated events that coincidentally combine to create a much larger, often catastrophic, event

More info: This phrase originates from the 1997 book The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea that describes how multiple simultaneous weather systems coincide to create a deadly storm in October, 1991. The 2000 movie The Perfect Storm pushed the phrase further into popularity.

Slay it because: Using a metaphor about a catastrophe to describe another bad event dilutes the original catastrophe and weakens the metaphor. And people are beginning to use the phrase to describe neutral or even favorable events (I heard a sport-talk radio host use it to describe how a player signed with a new team). It would be better to talk about coincidences or serendipity to describe a series of events.

Besides, Lake Superior State University (you know, the ones who make their annual Banished Words List) doesn't like it either.

Sources:

Wikipedia: Perfect Storm
Amazon.com The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea/dp/006101351X
NCDC: The Perfect Storm - October 1991
The Perfect Storm
Lake Superior State University Banished Words List
Perfect Storm of Cliches

"In the Loop"

2009-03-18T20:15:00.000-05:00

Example: "I'll be working on this project now, so please keep me in the loop about the progress."

What it really means: fully informed, part of the group

More info: Since the "loop" refers to a circle of people, this idiom reminds me of a clique -- for the cool kids only. If you have to ask to be kept in the loop, the vital communication is already broken. And if you're already kept in the loop, someone is inherently left out. Usually it's not a problem (I don't really need to be kept in a loop I'm not working on), but sometimes there is bitterness about the exclusivity (especially if it's an executive loop).

Slay it because: First of all, it just sounds dumb. And, because it's so over-used, it's weak. A stronger statement would be to ask to be "fully informed."

Sources:
in the loop
In the loop - Idiom Definition - Using English.com
in the loop: Information from Answers.com

"Going Forward"

2009-03-08T20:00:00.000-05:00

Example: "Going forward we will have to add the CE mark to our legal pages."

What it really means: from now on, in the future

More info: Sometimes people use this cliche to indicate that we don't have go back and fix things that are already done, but only do things differently starting the next time we work on it. But sometimes it doesn't mean that at all.

Slay it because: I liked the quote about this cliche in this article: "Since time is irreversible, it's totally unnecessary. No one experiences life 'going backward'." Since "from now on" and "starting now" are also cliche, it would be best to just skip it. If you have to do something, you have to do it, and you can't do it in the past. Be sure to clarify whether we have to go and fix project that are already complete.

Sources and suggested reading:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7733264.stm
http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/02/going-forward-cliches-for-a-new-year/
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci283980,00.html

Mr. Stern, May I Give Some Advice?

2009-02-26T18:30:00.005-06:00

I've mentioned before that I'm a great baseball fan. So, naturally, to wile away my time as I toil away with the tech writer gig, I stream MLB Home Plate on XM. I really enjoy the programming, and it helps make my day go faster.

This morning, I was enjoying the Power Alley program, hosted by Casey Stern. I think Mr. Stern is a great radio personality. His analysis is impassioned, yet clear. He's well spoken and articulate, but not stuffy. He's knowledgeable and friendly. It's clear he loves the game. And, except for his habit of reciting the call-in number entirely too often (which, since it is a call-in show, I suppose that's a necessary evil), I think he does a great job.

But I have one eensy-weensy problem. He's way too attracted to the phrase "at the end of the day". His program is three hours long. By the time the first half-hour was over, I thought "wow, he says that a lot." By the time the second hour started, I couldn't take it anymore and I had to start counting.

In the span of one hour (the middle hour of the program), he said "at the end of the day" no less than a dozen times! (I was actually working while I was counting, so I may have missed some.) Sometimes, he said it twice within one run-on sentence. Ugh! Keep in mind that there were several commercial breaks, a handful of callers, and an interview during this hour.

The problem, of course, is that this over-use of possibly the most-hated cliche ever diluted the rest of the message. He's a very good speaker -- not once did I hear an "um," "er," "like," "you know" or other stalling word. And his topic at the time was something he clearly felt strongly about. But I was distracted.

Now, I realize that I'm especially in-tune to cliche over-use. Afterall, I do write a blog about it. But I think anyone would have been annoyed to say the least.

So, Mr. Stern, if you could, please dial back on the "at the end of the day." Try mixing in an "ultimately" once in a while. Even using a "when all is said and done" or a "when the rubber meets the road" would be a refreshing change, but I still wouldn't advise it.

"Heads-up"

2009-02-17T21:05:00.000-06:00

Example: Microsoft to give partners heads-up on security vulnerabilities ~ cnet news, August 5, 2008

What it really means: warning, advance notice, further information; also, smart (as in heads-up play)

More info: What likely started as a warning or a metaphor for being aware has diluted greatly to mean nothing more than a sneak peek or additional facts.

Heads-up, when used to refer to something that literally keeps your head up (for example heads-up display) is not offensive. And, of course, hollering "heads up!" when a flying object is careening towards a crowd is actually appreciated. But otherwise, it's just fodder for rolling your eyes.

Note that used as a noun ("please give me a heads-up when you know more") or adjective ("that was a real heads-up idea"), it's hyphenated. When used as an interjection ("Heads up! The boss is coming!") it's not. When I was doing research, I learned that there's a lot of confusion on that matter.

Slay it because: For one thing, I can hold my own head up, thank you very much; I don't need anyone to give me a heads-up. If you have a warning or some information, just call it that.

Sources:
Grammar Girl -- "Heads-Up"

Baseball Cliches That Need to Stay Between the Lines

2009-02-02T19:20:00.004-06:00

I am a huge baseball fan. I do enjoy watching other sports, but baseball has truly captured my heart. One reason why might be that it is so ingrained in the American experience. Its history and legends have become part of our collective tradition. In fact, baseball is so interwoven into our memories that many of its phrases have crossed over to become everyday cliches.

Now I don't mean the jargon that is part of the game ("swinging a hot bat," "you can't steal first," "painting the corners," etc.). These apply only to the game, and a non-fan would likely never use them. Whether or not they should be slayed is another matter I won't discuss here (frankly, I kind of like these cliches -- a comfortable fondness I guess).

However, there are those cliches that have roots in baseball, but have been used in daily language for so long, they're either tired or meaningless. It's time to strike these out of our lingo (sorry, lame joke -- couldn't resist).

"That crazy idea came out of left field."

"My boss really threw me a curveball."

"Jim really stepped up to the plate and got the job done."

"Mike hit a homerun with his barbecue ribs." *

"That comment was really bush league."

"I can't make it tonight. Can I take a rain check?"

"I tried to get concert tickets, but I struck out."

"She was caught off base."

"We need to make sure we cover our bases."

"I don't need an exact amount, just a ballpark figure."

"It's a hit or miss situation."

"Rob's idea really knocked the cover off the ball."

* The most ridiculous example of this cliche came a couple weeks ago during the NFL playoffs (I think it was the Eagles - Cardinals game) when, after a spectacular touchdown-scoring play, the announcer (I think it was Troy Aikman, a former football player) said "he really hit a homerun with that play." No. He. Didn't. It's bad enough that baseball jargon makes everyday cliches, but it's really stupid to use a baseball phrase when talking about football.

References and recommended reading:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language_idioms_derived_from_baseball
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/976864/the_nine_worst_baseball_cliches.html?cat=9
http://www.pointsincase.com/blogs/nathan-degraaf/baseball-clich%C3%A9s-explained

"To the Table"

2009-01-27T20:15:00.003-06:00

Example: Susan brings a lot of experience to the table.

What it really means: a group effort; this company, project, meeting, or other non-concrete concept.

More info: This one was really hard to research. All the Google hits return stuff about actual dinner tables or bargaining tables.

Slay it because: Because it makes me want to say, "yeah, and I bring green bean casserole to the table" (ok, I'd be more likely to bring dinner rolls or store-bought pie to the table -- I'm all about easy).

This is a throw-away phrase -- it's not even clear what it really means. Instead of wasting everyone's time, just be specific about where Susan is bringing her experience, or whatever it is she's bringing, like the project, the meeting, whatever. Or, better still, focus on the actual experience, talent, good ideas, optimism, etc., rather than where it's brought.

Sources:
nothing but me

"Paradigm Shift"

2009-01-18T18:54:00.002-06:00

Example: "With the new call-center technology, and our plan to make customer support a priority, our company has experienced a paradigm shift."

What it really means: a new way of thinking with abandonment of the previous thinking, a movement to a different fundamental view, change for the better

More info: "Paradigm shift" was coined in 1962 by Thomas Kuhn in his book The Structure of Scientific Revolutions to describe a fundamental change in scientific theory. Kuhn restricted the phrase to science, and it was appropriate to do so because once a scientific paradigm shift has occured, there's no going back to the old way of thinking. And the change has to be huge and sweeping. For example, once it was proven that the sun was the center of the universe, a scientist can not theorize that the earth is. Sometimes it takes a long time for the shift to occur.

Slay it because: Outside the scientific community, a so-called paradigm shift is not bound by things like proof and solutions. It has moved from meaning an inevitable change to just a new plan. In the business world, it merely refers to a new focus or, more likely, a better way to make money. And there is no longer a restriction on going back to the old way if the new way doesn't work. Because the phrase is so diluted from overuse, it's better to just say "change."

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradigm_shift
http://www.taketheleap.com/define.html

"On the Same Page"

2009-01-11T19:33:00.004-06:00

Example: "Before we continue, let's make sure everyone is on the same page."

What it really means: we all understand everything, we are all in agreement

More info: It's hard to determine where the page is that we all need to be on. Most likely, it comes to us from times before PowerPoint presentations were prevalent and business meetings were conducted with printed reports. How it morphed from a general knowledge to a common agreement is hard to determine.

Slay it because: It's been around so long and used so much, it doesn't mean anything anymore (seems like I always say that). Because it could potentially mean different, even though related, things, it's best to just say what you mean. Usually, you can probably skip the entire sentiment -- it's unnecessary to give me some information, then tell me why you gave it to me. And if you want me to agree with you, just ask me.

Related cliches: "on the same sheet of music," "up to speed"

Sources:
http://www.goenglish.com/1703.asp

"At the End of the Day"

2009-01-04T19:18:00.004-06:00

Example: "It wasn't pretty how we got here [to the playoffs], but at the end of the day, this is what's it all about -- this is why we do this [play the game]." -- some football player in a promotional clip advertising playoff coverage. (My apologies to this player -- I heard the quote, but I could not see the television when it was aired. Actually, maybe it's better if I don't name him since I'm going to complain about what he said.)

What it really means: the most important thing, ultimately

More info: When I was doing the research for this cliche, I found out this is one of the most hated.

Slay it because: This one is awful because it doesn't actually mean anything. Because it's oftentimes used solely as a lead-in to point out what's most important, it would be better, and less wordy, to simply say "most important" or "ultimately." Or, one could simply skip it altogether and add a bit more emphasis to the important phrase or clause.

Related cliches: "when all is said and done," "when the rubber meets the road"

Sources and recommended reading:
http://lawgeek.typepad.com/lawgeek/2004/03/top_ten_cliches.html
http://www.oup.com/uk/booksites/content/0199216290/streamline/clichebuster/
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/at+the+end+of+the+day
http://www.newsthinking.com/story.cfm?SID=241
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/features/3632968/At-the-end-of-the-day,-you
http://www.freep.com/article/20081228/COL32/812280307/1081
http://www.omniglot.com/blog/2008/11/12/cliches/
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=at+the+end+of+the+day

2009 List of Banished Words

2008-12-31T11:30:00.001-06:00

Lake Superior State University has released its 2009 List of Words to Be Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness.

Bless those word-watchers' hearts.

Notable Entries:

Green: the reference for being eco-friendly (another word that should be banished) or less careless with environmental issues

Maverick: a word used so much in the 2008 Presidential campaign, we weren't really sure what it was supposed to mean

Bailout: banks and auto makers mess up so bad, they need the government to help, but it's not available for average citizens

Wall Street/Main Street: sure, it was clever the first 150 million times we heard it

It's that time of year again: no kidding! It's always that time of year.

Nominate words and phrases for next year's list here.

"Think Outside the Box"

2008-12-28T19:24:00.009-06:00

Example: "This is a tough problem, so we need to think outside the box."

What it really means: to think creatively, come up with fresh ideas, be innovative, do away with the status quo

More info: This phrase comes to us from a puzzle called Nine Dots, where you try to connect all the dots by using only four straight lines and without lifting your pencil.

It can be done, but only if you go outside the box that is created by the dots.

So, you can figure it out if you "think outside the box."

Slay it because: It's ironic that a phrase that speaks to creativity is so stale. Why use a cliche to tell us to come up fresh ideas. We all like to believe our ideas are fresh -- that's what ideas are for. We are tired of being told how to think. And, often, the status quo ("inside the box," as it were) isn't such a bad thing.

This is one of those cliches that does nothing but takes up space. A new idea is a new idea, and we can all recognize it. We don't need boxes to sort our ideas into or out of.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outside_the_box

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/think-outside-the-box.html

Golden Bull Awards

2008-12-22T18:41:00.000-06:00

The Plain English Campaign, a UK group "fighting for crystal clear communication since 1979," has announced its Golden Bull winners of 2008. Since I consider cliches to fall under the "bull" umbrella, I found this very fitting. An excerpt:

Financial Services team at McGill University, Canada
“Our collective success rests with our commitment to service excellence and ongoing process improvement. As such, there will be an increased focus in two pivotal areas, namely: Systems Infrastructure & Communications and Controls & Compliance. This new structure will positively impact the delivery of day-to-day functions for our students and professors thanks to the continuous improvement cycle that will be generated by the new structure. This cycle will inherently deliver an incessant flow of process and systems assessment, improvement, and communication with the related development, distribution, and implementation of necessary tools, education, and support. This will in turn maximize user comprehension and increase overall efficiency.”

Even though it's not heavy on the cliches, it sure is heavy on the bull.

Many thanks to Grammar Girl for posting this info on her Facebook page.

"Push the Envelope"

2008-12-20T20:44:00.000-06:00

Example: "Jeremy's willingness to push the envelope allowed us to offer this great new product earlier than expected."

What it really means: to challenge or stretch pre-defined boundaries; pioneer

More info: It wasn't until recently that I learned that the metaphorical envelope in this cliche is not the letter holding kind, but rather, the mathmatical/engineering kind. More specifically, this envelope is the the technical limits within which an aircraft or electronic system may be safely operated (see #9 of this definition).

Originally, to "push the envelope" meant to stretch social boundaries or to sneak into taboo subjects (I remember first hearing it when Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake pushed the envelope with their infamous Superbowl "wardrobe malfunction"). Recently however, it has come to mean to take risks or innovate.

Slay it because: This phrase has become downright meaningless. I consider myself a bright person, and it took me years of listening to it before I understood what it really meant (what envelope? what's in it? why is it being pushed? where is it being pushed?). I suspect that about 90 percent of the people who say it don't really know what it means either.

I also suspect that the aforementioned Jeremy would have been more flattered and proud of himself if the speaker had noted his willingness to pioneer, innovate, create, work hard, or show determination -- and the listeners would have understood Jeremy's contribution more clearly (instead of wondering, like I did, if he did something a little naughty).

Sources:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/push+the+envelope?jss=1
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/push-the-envelope.html
http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-pus1.htm
http://www.word-detective.com/2008/01/16/push-the-envelope/
http://www.yaelf.com/aueFAQ/mifpushenvelope.shtml

Hello

2008-12-19T20:38:00.000-06:00

This is Post #1 to my new blog. Please allow me to introduce myself.... Wait. I don't think I want to start this way. It's kind of creepy, and it's, well, a cliche (though not a really bad one).

Ok, so, hi. I'm the Cliche Slayer. Well, actually, I'm just a lowly tech writer who also happens to be a sports fan. I see or hear cliches all the time in both business and sports environments. And I just couldn't sit silently any more. I felt needed to slay them from our language.

First, let me define a cliche: simply put, a cliche is a phrase that is over-used. We see them everywhere and use them everyday. A cliche can originate from many different sources: popular culture, media, music, books, movies, etc. can spawn a cliche (Shakespeare is responsible for bunches of them).

Why are cliches so bad? While they can be useful in some circumstances because of their familiarity, they're often terribly uncreative (and a lazy way to communicate). However, when they're so over-used that they actually lose their meaning -- sometimes to the point that people start to use them incorrectly -- and they distract from the overall message, that's when they need to be slayed.

I'll start posting my entries soon. Won't you join me to slay these nasty banes to the language?