Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with cliches

Where else have I heard that?

FatherDagon — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:33:51 -0800

Is there a site that keeps track of foley sound clichés in movies, hopefully sorted by the sound as well as by movie? Everyone can call out a Whilheim Scream when it crops up, but my obsession has always been a specific door-opening sound which I can't find a sample of, but was used several times in 'Brain Candy' (off the top of my head) as the sound of the conference room doors opening/closing, as well as hilariously inappropriately as the opening of a small metal safe in 'Brother'. Also, there is a pottery breaking sound that is used over and over in 'Wet Hot American Summer', as well as other movies (I can't find a link to this exact sound either). Unlike Filmsound.org/cliche, I'm looking for something with the sound samples also attached.

Who said it first?

applemeat — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:45:58 -0800

Where did the saying "It's 5 'o Clock Somewhere" originate? Yeah, I know the Parrothead reference. But wasn’t this phrase encouraging daylight debauchery long before Jimmy Buffet? (I guess I’d rather picture an F. Scott Fitzgeraldian flapper coyly whispering it between puffs from her mother-of-pearl cigarette holder than to imagine the drunken choruses powered by a 4-top full of Realtors in Hawaiian print shirts.) Cheers (or a pint!) to anyone who can help.

In a past life I was a sylph.

dorothy humbird — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:09:29 -0800

How common a trope is reincarnation within the fantasy genre? [spoilers inside] For reference, the only book series I've seen this used in is Katherine Kerr's Deverry Cycle. I'm looking for answers particularly regarding mass market type paperback fantasy series (Sword of Truth, Game of Thrones, Mercedes Lackey etc.) and interesting oddities like Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.

If there are works more along the lines of speculative fiction/magical realism and what have you, I'd like to hear about those too.

Oh, would you look at the time? It's almost NaNoWriMo'clock.

And I would have gotten away with it, if it wasn't for those meddling kids!

andrewzipp — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 11:57:17 -0800

What movies have a plot device where a character is able to wear a rubber mask resembling another character that is so convincing that no one questions his identity until he's unmasked? This seems like a cliche, but I'm having trouble coming up with movies. Mission Impossible 2 is one.

What's the origin of the phrase "last, best hope for.."?

barbelith — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 16:23:48 -0800

What is the origin of the phrase, "last, best hope" as used in pretty much every self-consciously significant but ultimately cliched film, book or TV episode I've indulged myself with over the last ten years?

Gherkins or Dills with that Coffee Heath Bar Crunch, madam?

gleuschk — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 06:44:56 -0800

You know that old cliché about pregnant women and the ice cream and pickles? Are the pickles dill or sweet?

Sometimes a quote is just a quote

.kobayashi. — Tue, 06 Sep 2005 13:50:35 -0800

The phrase "Sometimes a pipe is just a pipe" is always attributed to Freud, but is so hackneyed by now -- so well-known -- that it always seems to be cited without any hint of a reference to its original context, which makes me wonder if it is apocryphal. Did Freud really write/say this? If so, where? If not, where does its origins lie? Does anyone know? And if you found the answer quickly via google, could you please let me know what you searched for, because I'm coming up empty. Thanks, MetaFilter!

In Soviet Union, $noun $verbs you!

adzm — Fri, 06 May 2005 00:44:21 -0800

In Soviet Union, $noun $verbs you! What is the origin of this meme? It's everywhere online. Searching google and mefi/askmefi havn't helped... someone must know!

Motivational cliches

forallmankind — Tue, 12 Apr 2005 16:51:06 -0800

Motivational cliches please! I have a client that ends his emails with, "so you're going to have to knuckle down," or, "we need all hands on deck," which of course I ironically find utterly de-motivating. Can you think of others?

Karaoklichés

grrarrgh00 — Thu, 31 Mar 2005 17:58:50 -0800

What are the worst karaoke clichés? Karaoke DJs must get sick of hearing "Baby Got Back," "Landslide," "Sweet Caroline," any top 40 song from last year, and any Sisqo/Nelly song. Are there other songs I should stay away from if I want to be a karaoke original?

Musical Cliches

Orange Goblin — Sat, 05 Feb 2005 02:59:42 -0800

Musical cliches: when were they first used? I'm talking about things like a muted trumpet going "wah wah waaaaah" when something comical happens, or dramatic chords going "dum da dum dum, dum da dum dum duuum" as someone creeps along in the shadows, or "dun dun dun dun" when something is revealed. Not the best way of compelling sounds, I know, but it seemed to work for this question so I thought I'd give it a go.

I'm not embarrassed, why am I blushing?

pwb503 — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 13:46:34 -0800

What is the difference between the sayings, "at first glance..." and "at first blush..."? When would one use "at first blush..." over the other option?

A Literary Tour de Force

vacapinta — Tue, 07 Dec 2004 22:05:27 -0800

ClicheFilter: What's the deal with literary reviews and the phrase "tour de force"? Why do even great writer-reviewers continue to use this worn-out phrase? Is this some sort of big inside joke?

Music Journalism Cliches

nylon — Mon, 11 Oct 2004 17:27:31 -0800

Music journalism clichés. I'm trying to compile a list of clichéd rock journalism similes, along the lines of 'sounds like a cat being strangled', or 'sounds like a drum-kit being thrown down a stairwell'. Trawling through 40 years of archives will prove to be somewhat time-consuming. Can anyone help me out with any? Points scored for the ridiculous/absurd, points deducted for ones you've made up yourself. Thanks!

Shaking a Stick

badstone — Tue, 20 Jan 2004 14:39:52 -0800

How much stuff can the average person shake a stick at? I've done some googling to find the origins of the phrase: "More than you can shake a stick at....", and the typical result is this one, which throws out some guesses and early usages, but cannot come up with the real answer. Does anybody know where the phrase really comes from?