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Mon 3 Apr, 2017 12:33 pm
Is there a word in the English language for phrases that people say a lot to describe ideas, but aren't quite sayings.
Thanks!
@perennialloner,
Probably not adage or platitude.
@perennialloner,
idiom, expression, colloquialism, quote
@centrox,
Like, "the free world," "melting pot," and "nation of immigrants" to describe the United States. do phrases like these have a name? or are they just common descriptions?
@perennialloner,
"Cliche(s)" is the closest I can think of, although I think it's actually a french word.
P.S.: I just looked at one dictionary which defines a "cliche" as: "a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought."
@layman,
Quote:"Cliche(s)" is the closest I can think of, although I think it's actually a french word.
It came from French but as soon as it did, it was an English word.