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These are not merely catchy sayings. Even though some sources may identify a phrase as a catchphrase, this list is for those that meet the definition given in the lead section of the catchphrase article and are notable for their widespread use within the culture. This list is distinct from the list of political catchphrases.
A proverbial phrase or expression is a type of conventional saying similar to a proverb and transmitted by oral tradition. The difference is that a proverb is a fixed expression, while a proverbial phrase permits alterations to fit the grammar of the context. [1] [2] In 1768, John Ray defined a proverbial phrase as:
A list of metaphors in the English language organised alphabetically by type. A metaphor is a literary figure of speech that uses an image, story or tangible thing to represent a less tangible thing or some intangible quality or idea; e.g., "Her eyes were glistening jewels".
An idiom is a common word or phrase with a figurative, non-literal meaning that is understood culturally and differs from what its composite words' denotations would suggest; i.e. the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words (although some idioms do retain their literal meanings – see the example "kick the bucket" below).
In the beginning (phrase) Infinity plus one; Information wants to be free; Inherently funny word; Inside baseball (metaphor) An Irish solution to an Irish problem; Irrational exuberance; It was a dark and stormy night; It's better to burn out than to fade away; It's Britney, bitch; It's not you, it's me
Safire ended up writing nine columns on this subject and is largely responsible for the interest in it. [15] In 1986, the phrase was added to the Oxford English Dictionary with the earliest citation given as 1970. [15] [29] The Historical Dictionary of American Slang (1997) cited Shepard's novel, thus pushing the earliest known usage back to ...
A catchphrase (alternatively spelled catch phrase) is a phrase or expression recognized by its repeated utterance. Such phrases often originate in popular culture and in the arts, and typically spread through word of mouth and a variety of mass media (such as films, internet, literature and publishing, television, and radio).
[8] [9] a. Kids grow up so fast these days b. You shouldn't give in so easily. In these examples, the common verbs grow and give are complemented by the particles up and in. The resulting two-word verbs are single semantic units, so grow up and give in are listed as discrete entries in modern dictionaries. These verbs can be transitive or ...