Cliché

These were the top ten clichés used by members of LinkedIn on their profiles:

• Extensive experience
• Innovative
• Motivated
• Results-oriented
• Dynamic
• Proven track record
• Team player
• Fast-paced
• Problem solver
• Entrepreneurial

Europeans tend to be innovative and the British tend to be motivated. There is an option on Word press to get rid of clichés in blogs. So what is so bad about these clichés? They appear to be slightly nonsensical and also a little boring. What does dynamic mean; changing when necessary? We can all adjust to the situation, I would have thought. Clichés affect our lives in many ways, the buzz words seem to stem from government departments and human resource departments. Human resources is a buzz term; it’s insulting to human intelligence and denigrates us all to a level where all we are good for is ‘flipping burgers’ and asking “Do you want fries with that?”. I think if anyone ever uses that cliché on me or “have a nice day” for that matter; I will probably pick up the nearest item of cutlery and hack them to death…

• The cliché phrase

  “Have a nice day” and “do you want fries with that” are cliché phrases trotted out and always insincere. I admit the latter one in the right context is acceptable; it’s a little like someone asking “salt and vinegar?” in a British fish and chip shop. It can be a perfectly reasonable question. The question we must ask ourselves about clichés is; are they insincere or boring? 

  The cliché fashion item

  Can a fashion item be a cliché? It can if everyone else is wearing it and it’s bling! Designer stubble is a cliché. How about blond hair? Nearly, but not quite… Denim jeans aren’t a cliché; I wear them!  Anything to do with Lady Gaga – cliché. If you have other examples – please comment.

  Behaviour – are you a cliché?

  Behaviour in a behavioural psychology sense can be a cliché. Following the crowd like a dumb sheep; drinking energy drinks, Alco pops and the latest urine flavoured lager… I think even food can be a cliché. The one that springs to mind is after dinner mints for some bizarre reason. Cars can definitely be clichés. Every car ever driven by Jeremy Clarkson is a cliché…

  

  I’ve been looking forward to writing something about Jeremy Clarkson for such a long time…

  

  Even a job title can be cliché, if its seen to be trendy. Even trends are clichés, especially on Twitter. Incidentally you can Tweet my blog now to all your friends; that isn’t a cliché and there is a share button!

  Acronyms are usually clichés, especially overused ones. Please comment if you can think of an overused acronym that has been made into a cliché. This is a ‘call to action’ (overused, clichéd and hackneyed phrase).

  Anyway, thank you for sharing, have a nice day; it was good to talk, even if it was one sided; hence the ‘call to action’; so feel free to comment…

  

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