A Plethora of Platitudes: A Collection of Cliches and an Assortment of Adages

By Jay J. Smith

Platitudes, cliches and adages are pervasive in almost every part of our everyday lives and in every part of our culture. Every day we either hear them or use them ourselves, often without thinking about them. These "words of wisdom" express our feelings about love, time, money, health, wealth, humor and every aspect of life in general. Usually, they are a shorthand way of expressing an idea. The words used, in most cases, are not meant to be taken literally. Because of their common usage we can ascertain their meaning even in their shorthand form.

There are thousands of platitudes and no one can claim to have heard all of them. Each one can have variations, which express the same, or even different ideas and will change from region to region. Their meaning can also be open to interpretation by the person who uses them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jul 11, 2000
• ISBN: 9781462089666

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All Rights Reserved © 2000 by Jay J. Smith

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PREFACE

Platitudes, clichés and adages are pervasive in almost every part of our everyday lives and in every part of our culture. Every day we either hear them or use them ourselves, often without thinking about them. These words of wisdom express our feelings about love, time, money, health, wealth, humor and every aspect of life in general. Usually, they are a shorthand way of expressing an idea. The words used, in most cases, are not meant to be taken literally. Because of their common usage we can ascertain their meaning even in their shorthand form.

There are thousands of platitudes and no one can claim to have heard all of them. Each one can have variations which express the same, or even different ideas and will change from region to region. Their meaning can also be open to interpretation by the person who uses them.

The approximately 1,000 examples listed here will probably bring to mind many, many more. And, perhaps they will inspire you to record your own regional or cultural platitudes.

♦ Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

♦ It is better to give than to receive.

♦ The best things in life are free.

♦ The early bird gets the worm.

♦ Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

♦ Birds of a feather flock together.

♦ Truth is stranger than fiction.

♦ As American as apple pie.

♦ Love is blind.

♦ All is fair in love and war.

♦ Love conquers all.

♦ Head over heels in love.

♦ Wearing your heart on your sleeve.

♦ You’re the apple of my eye.

♦ Better to have