The curse of the cliché

cliche (1)

There’s an insidious disease spreading through South Africa’s corporate world.

In meeting rooms and around water coolers, it pummels every conversation, slowly sucking the life from its victims.

We’re all guilty of it to some degree, but it has reached ridiculous proportions. I’m talking about the common cliché, which is just as entrenched in South African life as corruption and bad driving. Everyone does it.

We love uttering clichés. It’s the lazy way of talking. It’s also an illness that has spread to radio where breathless announcers happily butcher the language by chipping in with their beauts.

Herewith the hit parade of clichés adored by South Africans:

Going forward – As opposed to, what, going backwards? Unless you’re a tank driver, this has no place in the English lexicon. May its use die. Quickly.

At this time – Why use one word when you can use three? No, no, no. Just say “now”.

On the ground – Unless you’re a parachutist or a pilot, this is utterly superfluous. Where else would things be happening – in the air?

Out-the-box thinking – This is just nasty. Don’t.

Break down silos – Like all clichés, the first person who used this line sounded smart. After hearing it a million times, not so much. It’s lame and pretentious.

Take it offline – Proof that there is an alternative to English. It’s called dreck.

Paradigm shift – Awful. A crime against language.

At the end of the day – Save me.

Blue sky thinking – Sweet. But kak.

It’s gone viral – Er, because someone sent a tweet?

Personally – Because you usually talk on someone else’s behalf?

To be honest with you – As opposed to being, what, dishonest?

Win-win situation – Marketing-speak on steroids.