I thought I'd get a jump on this column because we all know that one shouldn't put off until tomorrow what can be done today, and I'm constantly trying to write these at the last minute.
Thankfully this week's rant is going to be a piece of cake to write. Honestly, thinking up this idea was a no brainer and, God willing, it'll be an easy read for you.
My topic: cliches and figures of speech. I know, I know, I'm constantly all over the map, but please don't abandon ship; I insist that this is worth the read, you can bank on it. Always look on the bright side, right? Anyway, why would anyone bother to use their own words when there are plenty of oldie but goodie sayings already as good as gold? Truly, there are so many great sayings that trying to come up with your own phrase is like banging your head against a brick wall. It's really become a bee in my bonnet that basket-case English teachers are always trying to force us to ditch them. I mean, how behind the times are they? I guess you could say I have a bit of a bone to pick.
I think it all boils down to their old-fashioned education. Bottom line: these are different times and you need to live and let live, though I accept that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. I hope I haven't opened a can of worms, but I really want to get the point across that there's nothing corny or stupid about using cliches. Someone else used them and they've stuck around because they're great - those who disagree are invited to take a long walk off of a short pier. Is it hot enough for ya?
What's the point in using your own unique words to tell your story? Cliches are readily available and who doesn't love looking and sounding like everyone else? Taking a different approach to writing is unnecessary, but we live in a society where writing is obsolete, don't we? No one reads anything anyway. Employers don't care if you can spell or write with a tiny bit of unique flare, right?
Right?
