The dictionary defines a cliche as "an expression, idea or element of artistic work which has become overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect, and even to the point of being trite or irritating."
   
Regardless of the precise definition, a cliché in writing or speech is generally considered a mark of inexperience or unoriginality.
   
So...why do we have to suffer through a bog of these repetitious words and phrases inflicted by professionals who claim to be experts in the expression of news and ideas.  It's "amazing" (one of the offending words) how many of these are spouted through the mouths of broadcasters, newscasters, and sportscasters.
   
Anytime I hear the phrase "kick the can down the road," I feel like kicking some can myself. Whatever happened to such phrases as "unproductive delay" or even "dawdling?"

In the same category is "fiscal cliff." A woman in New York was said to react the same with the urge to throw someone off a literal cliff.

"Double down" is a blackjack term where it has some legitimate meaning. It does not when used in place of "reiterate" or "repeat" or "increase."

The next time a sportscaster says a defensive back "read the quarterback's eyes," obscured by a facemask, from 30 yards away, while pursuing a whippet-fast wide receiver three inches taller than himself, I will again feel somewhat skeptical. The defensive back may have been tipped off to the quarterback's action by his wiping his hands on his sleeve...or the stance of his feet...or the twisting of his head... BUT he did NOT "read the quarterback's eyes."

From listening to their pronouncements, one would assume that most broadcasters think that "fortuitous" is a synonym for "fortunate." Maybe some of them know it means "according to chance."

One would think "passion" or "passionate" would be a bit too intense when talking about cooking tuna or some other activity which would be plenty good if done with skill and enthusiasm. Passion would connote "unbridled, unmediated by reason and sound judgment." Lord knows we have enough of that without adding to it.

Which brings us to... YOLO? This has apparently been appropriated by Twitter philosophers as a term meaning You Only Live Once which gives them an excuse (as though they needed one) to do stupid things. If I Only Live Once, let me do so without ever hearing or seeing YOLO again!

Regarding the non-word "trending," A woman from British Columbia had something to say about that. She said, "I'm sick of chirpy entertainment commentators constantly informing us of what 'is trending right now.'"

There's a university that, every year, bans a number of words and phrases from the English language. While it is done with their collective tongues firmly in cheek, it is tempting to consider some of them for real. In addition to the ones we've gone over here, here are others on their "banned list."

• Baby Bump
• Shared Sacrifice
• Occupy
• Blowback
• Man Cave
• The New Normal
• Pet Parent
• Win the Future
• Trickeration
• Ginormous
• Thank You In Advance

When you hear a bunch of bimbos saying, "We are going to rage tonight. Occupy this bar! WHOO-HOO!!!" You wonder whether we should ban words or the dumbheads who (mis)use them.

But, apparently people enjoy (over)using these words and phrases, so I guess the rest of us will have to say through gritted teeth: "That's life, I guess.

Don Johnson is an octogenarian who lives in Palestine in East Texas. He writes articles that illuminate the human condition and frequently show the contrast between our lifestyle of today with that of yesterday. He welcomes your input at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Meet Don