“We need a cliché thesaurus,” said my friend, Arlene, editing her draft for the umpteenth time.
How much of our speech has become predictable and unoriginal?
Writers get tripped up when phrases that are part of everyday life and expressions sneak into our work. When we include them in our written words, they become an obstacle for our audience, as well. Clichés represent common phrases that were current years ago but may have different connotations today—an article won’t stand the test of time when a phrase dates it to a particular era.Yourdictionary.com says, “A cliché conveys an idea or message but loses its point through over-usage.”
Do you have tired sayings that are a part of your vocabulary? Jesus knew His audience heard the same gloomy sermons repeated by the Pharisees, so He tailored His messages to the people who were listening. Farmers, shepherds and fishermen all received the message in their own lingo. They understood because it translated in the same ways they conducted their daily lives.
Believers today have a similar challenge. We have sayings that are oft repeated and use our own language of Christianese. We ostracize others when we expect them to know what we’re talking about and don’t update our verbiage.
How do we make the message fresh so that it’s ready to be heard by willing ears?
Exercise:
Reinvent the following cliches found at ProWritingAid:
- Chip off the old block
- Chip on his shoulder
- Smack dab in the middle
- Middle of the road
- You can’t teach an old dog new tricks
- Let sleeping dogs lie
Read through some of your writing and see if you find cliches hidden in the prose. Is there another way to say what you intended?
Restate the following Christian sayings in your own words to convey Truth without cliché:
- Washed in the blood. Revelation 7:14.
- God doesn’t give us more than we can handle. 1 Corinthians 10:13; 12:7-10.
- God’s got this. Exodus 14:13-14; 1 Samuel 12:16.
Michelle Lazurek says religious jargon can confuse and thwart someone’s spiritual growth. So, find a way to communicate your heart that is straightforward and clear.
When the Lord gives us a message, we carry the precious word of God!
What do you need to clarify?
Over 140 of Sally Ferguson’s devotionals have been published in Pathways to God (Warner Press). She’s also written for Light From The Word, Chautauqua Mirror, Just Between Us, Adult Span Curriculum, Thriving Family, Upgrade with Dawn and ezinearticles.com. Prose Contest Winner at 2017 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.
Sally loves organizing retreats and seeing relationships blossom in time away from the daily routine. Her ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat is available on Amazon.
Sally Ferguson lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, NY with her husband and her dad.
Visit Sally’s blog at sallyferguson.net
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