Monday, November 21, 2005

 

Pop goes the language

"What makes a word a pop word? First of all, we're not talking mere clichés. Most pop phrases are indeed clichés -- that is, hackneyed or trite. But a pop phrase packs more rhetorical oomph and social punch than a conventional cliché. It's the difference, say, between It's as plain as the nose on your face and Duh, between old hat and so five minutes ago. Pop is the elite corps of clichés."

An excerpt from the book, Slam Dunks and No Brainers: Language in Your Life, the Media, Business, Politics, and Like, Whatever, by Leslie Savan. There's also a quiz to test your pop language skills, designed by the author.

Link via A Capital Idea

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