Saying

Ask a question about 'Saying' Start a new discussion about 'Saying' Answer questions from other users Full Discussion Forum

• Apothegm. “…an edgy, more cynical aphorism; such as, ‘Men are generally more careful of the breed of their horses and dogs than of their children.’" From “What’s the Difference? A Compendium of Commonly Confused and Misused Words” by Jeff Rovin (Ballantine Books, New York, 1994).
• Aphorism
  Aphorism
  
  The word aphorism denotes an original thought, spoken or written in a laconic and easily memorable form.The name was first used in the Aphorisms of Hippocrates....
  . A concise definition, notably memorable.
• Adage
  Adage
  
  An adage , or adagium , is a short but memorable saying that holds some important fact of experience that is considered true by many people, or that has gained some credibility through its long use....
  . An aphorism that has gained credibility by virtue of long use.
• Chestnut. A long-used and well-known story, comment, or quote.
• Cliché
  Cliché
  
  A clich? or cliche is a saying, expression or idea which has been overused to the point of losing its original meaning, especially when at some earlier time it was considered distinctively meaningful or novel, rendering it a stereotype....
  . An overly commonplace, hackneyed or trite saying.
• Epigram
  Epigram
  
  An Epigram is a brief, clever, and usually memorable statement. Derived from the "to write on - inscribe", the literary device has been employed for over two millennia....
  . A poetic form of comment on a particular idea, occurrence, or person.
• Epithet
  Epithet
  
  An epithet is a descriptive word or phrase accompanying or occurring in place of the name of a person or thing, which has become a fixed formula....
  . A descriptive word or phrase that has become a popular formulation.
• Gnome
  Gnome (rhetoric)
  
  A gnome is a type of saying, especially an aphorism or a Maxim designed to provide instruction in a compact form.The term gnome was introduced by Klaus Berger in the Formgeschichte des Neuen Testaments....
   (Greek:
  Ancient Greek
  
  Ancient Greek is the historical stage in the development of the Greek language spanning across the Archaic Greece , Classical Greece , and Hellenistic civilization periods of ancient Greece and the classical antiquity....
   gnome, from gignoskein, to know). A type of saying, especially an aphorism
  Aphorism
  
  The word aphorism denotes an original thought, spoken or written in a laconic and easily memorable form.The name was first used in the Aphorisms of Hippocrates....
   or a maxim
  Maxim (philosophy)
  
  According to Immanuel Kant, a maxim is a subjective principle or rule that the will_ of an individual uses in making a decision.See also...
  , that is designed to provide instruction
  Instruction
  
  Instruction may refer to:* Education, the teaching and learning of knowledge* Teaching, a form of instruction* Sebayt, a work of the ancient Egyptian didactic literature aiming to teach ethical behaviour...
   in a compact form.
• Idiom
  Idiom
  
  An idiom is a phrase whose meaning cannot be determined by the literal definition of the phrase itself, but refers instead to a figurative language meaning that is known only through common use....
  . “…an expression whose meaning can’t be derived simply by hearing it, such as ‘Kick the bucket.’” From “What’s the Difference? A Compendium of Commonly Confused and Misused Words” by Jeff Rovin (Ballantine Books, New York, 1994).
• Mantra
  Mantra
  
  A mantra can be defined as a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that are considered capable of creating transformation. Their use and type varies according to the school and philosophy associated with the mantra....
  . A religious or mystical syllable or poetic phrase.
• Maxim. A principle or rule. A maxim is a wise saying, especially one intended to advise or recommend a course of conduct. In comparison to its approximate synonyms: saying, adage
  Adage
  
  An adage , or adagium , is a short but memorable saying that holds some important fact of experience that is considered true by many people, or that has gained some credibility through its long use....
  , saw, motto
  Motto
  
  A motto is a phrase meant to formally describe the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used....
  , epigram
  Epigram
  
  An Epigram is a brief, clever, and usually memorable statement. Derived from the "to write on - inscribe", the literary device has been employed for over two millennia....
  , proverb
  Proverb
  
  A proverb , also called a byword or nayword, is a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, which expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity....
  , aphorism
  Aphorism
  
  The word aphorism denotes an original thought, spoken or written in a laconic and easily memorable form.The name was first used in the Aphorisms of Hippocrates....
  , the term maxim stresses the succinct formulation of an ultimate truth, a fundamental principle, or a rule of conduct. The word derives from the Latin
  Latin
  
  Latin is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Through the Military history of the Roman Empire, Latin spread throughout the Mediterranean and a large part of Europe....
   word maximus, "greatest", via an expression maxima propositio, "greatest premise".
• Motto
  Motto
  
  A motto is a phrase meant to formally describe the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used....
  . A concise expression of motivation.
• Platitude
  Platitude
  
  A platitude is a trite, meaningless, biased or prosaic statement that is presented as if it were significant and original. The word derives from plat, the French language word for "flat"....
  . A flat, insipid, trite, or weak remark.
• Proverb
  Proverb
  
  A proverb , also called a byword or nayword, is a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, which expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity....
  . An expression of practical truth or wisdom.
• Quip. A witty or funny observation.
• Saw
  Saw (saying)
  
  A saw is an old saying or commonly repeated phrase or idea; a conventional wisdom. While "Old saw" is a common clich?, some consider it a tautology....
  . A saying that is commonplace, longstanding and occasionally trite.
• Witticism. A smart saying, notable for its form or style rather than its content.

External links

• - The meanings and origins of phrases, sayings, and idioms