So idioms with a specific meaning, which convey an idea more economically than other combinations of words would (like getting caught red-handed) are not considered clichés in his opus.

The language of business, writes Ruth Cullen in her lexicon “The Little Hiptionary,” “is a curious combination of bureaucratic jargon, ungrammatical posturing, and locker room lingo.” ...

While some turns of phrase may have been useful at a certain point in time, it’s important to recognize when they begin to do more harm than good, hindering clear communications.

But writer Hephzibah Anderson says there are times when cliches are not only useful, but also create a sense of camaraderie. And sometimes, she writes in Prospect magazine, only a cliche will do.

* Good Art Is Realistic -- I know, we all thought that old saw had been thrown out years ago. But you'd be amazed how many people insist that you can still spot good artists because "the things ...

Nobody covers Johnson County and the surrounding areas like the Daily Journal. 30 S. Water St., Second floor, Suite A, Franklin, IN 46131. Phone: (317) 736-7101 ...

Standards & Practices Editor Mark Memmott writes occasional notes about the issues journalists encounter and the way NPR handles them. They often expand on topics covered in the Ethics Handbook.

Recently, LinkedIn revealed the most overused adjectives seen on users’ profiles this year, but that list omitted out one of the most hackneyed phrases of all time: “think outside the box ...