A “cliché” may be defined as a trite phrase, one that has become commonplace or over-used. English is full of them and a better understanding of their meaning and proper usage can help make your conversation more accurate – and flamboyant.
In one of Cresswell’s colorful expressions she defines cliché as “a grand truth that doesn’t help anyone”. Fortunately, the author puts together the pieces of the jigsaw in this 1500-cliché dictionary and helps the reader to comprehend their origins, evolutions and usage. This collection of tired expressions collects examples from the eighth century to the twentieth century. That may sound tedious; it’s not. This book provides a fascinating history that’s, well, more fun than a barrel of monkeys. The several hundred hackneyed examples are illustrated with quotations from the famous and infamous. All in all, The Penguin Dictionary of Clichés is an invaluable reference book for anyone interested in the English language.

(c) that's Shanghai Magazine
Chief editor: Steven Crane
Book courtesy Penguin Reference Canada
October 2005 issue