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Clichés

Extent: 192 pages

Size: 185x125mm

Publication Date:

Price: £9.99

ISBN: 9781843174868

Categories: Language

About the Book

At the end of the day, when it comes to getting your head around clichés, everybody seems to be singing from the same hymn sheet. Clichés have become such a familiar part of the English language and people's everyday speech that many are now trite, meaningless and often quite irritating. This book looks at clichés in their many forms – once useful but overworked catch phrases ('move the goal posts'), worn-out sayings ('all hands on deck'), pointless phrases used to conceal a weak argument ('to be perfectly honest'), technical terms used out of context ('collateral damage'), and many others. It shows where they came from and, with examples from people who ought to know better, why they should be avoided. Entertaining and informative, this collection of clichés really is the best thing since sliced bread . . .

Publication Date: 06/09/2012

Price: £0.99

ISBN: 9781843177975

Categories: Language

About the Book

About the Author

Nigel Fountain is a writer, broadcaster and journalist who has written for many publications, including The Guardian (for which he was commissioning obituaries editor for many years), The Observer, The Sunday Times, The New Statesman, The Oldie, the London Evening Standard, the New York Soho Weekly News, History Today, New Society, Oz magazine and Time Out. His documentary work for Radio 4 and BBC2 has ranged from style magazines and the history of thrillers to dance halls and the events of 1968. His books include the award-winning WWII: The People's Story.

Reviews

  • 'They're the everyday phrases that we all love to hate - and all love to use. Author Nigel Fountain cuts to the chase and tells us what they really mean', Mail on Sunday
  • 'Guides the reader through the origins, histories and meanings of cliches in every form', The Oldie