Stupid Sayings and Annoying Phrases: Expressing Contempt for Contemptible Expressions

Like most of you, I am frequently, painfully bombarded with stupid sayings and annoying phrases. They render run-of-the-mill daily interactions a veritable mind-stabbing minefield.

Can there be no catharsis?

Well, having recently read theBarefoot's piece, "33 Annoying Expressions that Killed our Conversation," which I highly recommend, I felt both compelled and empowered to contribute to the larger dialogue on the subject.

I'm not foolish enough to envision a language free of these stupid sayings and annoying phrases. They will presumably persist for as long as stupid and annoying people are permitted to communicate. But that's a topic for another manifesto--uh, article. And should any of these expressions ever fall out of lexical favor, new ones will undoubtedly arise to take their place.

However, if I can get just one reader to drop just one of these asinine adages or irksome speechisms from their repertoire, it was all worthwhile.

Now, I can only hope theBarefoot realizes that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Stupid sayings

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

More like the sleaziest form of being too dumb or too lazy to come up with your own ideas, I'd say.

A penny saved is a penny earned

No, a penny saved is just a penny saved. Keeping something you already have doesn't equate to making or acquiring a new one by any stretch of the imagination. You're just a cheap bastard.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

Fonder of the person who's replaced you in my life, maybe.

All that glitters is not gold

Did someone actually suggest that it was? Hard to believe some guy tried taking this stance. But he may very well have been more painful to listen to than someone who uses this stupid saying.

Everything happens for a reason

Having this recently suggested to me, the gears started to turn. I've delved into an area of research I'm tentatively calling "cause and effect," and have found promising evidence of a strong correlation.

The pen is mightier than the sword

Oh yeah? Want to test that one with me?

When god closes a door, he opens a window