To cliché or not to cliché, that is the question...

At some point in time, everyone is guilty of employing clichés to get a point across (cliché #1: at some point in time, cliché #2: get a point across). Frankly, it's hard to avoid the suckers, which have so deeply ingrained themselves in our daily speech. Come on, I dare you (cliche#3: I dare you). Try going for a day or even a week without leaning on your cliché crutch.

LifeHacker.com recently highlighted a study by Oxford University that compiled the top 10 most irritating phrases, including; "At the end of the day," "24/7," "With all due respect" and the always popular "It's not rocket science." We asked TKA agents which phrases are akin to hearing nails on a chalkboard (cliché #4: well, you can guess this one), and received the following responses:

1. Deidre Knight: "Six in one hand, half dozen in the other" or "Out of the box" -- If you were in an actual box, you've got serious problems.

2. Pamela Harty: "Preaching to the choir" -- I didn’t know Pamela was a singer!

3. Lucienne Diver: "Fictional novel." -- Same as saying novel novel. Or maybe fictional fiction?

4. Melissa Jeglinski: "Through a series of events..." -- So, it's tough to write the perfect query letter - that's true. But take it from us, this stale standby is best left on the cutting room floor.

5. Elaine Spencer: "Coming of age novel" -- If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard this, well I'd be guilty of another cliché and building my dream house in South Beach.

Actually, at the end of the day, I don't think it matters what you say, it's how you say it (cliché# I give up). Someone reassuringly repeating a familiar phrase can bring levity to a situation, hope to a good friend or encourage camaraderie among co-workers. Like, “It will all work out” or “When one door closes, another opens.” But admittedly, they don't all do that. I don't know anyone who’s been reassured by "we're not trying to reinvent the wheel" - my least favorite phrase. So what's your poison? What phrase is so completely nonsensical, it sets your teeth on edge? Or what phrase are you guilty of using on a regular basis?

Personally (cliché #1,098,877), I don’t think any of us will ever free ourselves completely from utilizing these handy platitudes – but perhaps, like salt, we should learn to use them sparingly.

Just for kicks and giggles...

TOP TEN SIGNS YOU'RE A FAMOUS AUTHOR

10. Your relatives stop referring to you as the hippie, and slightly off, creative one in the family.
9. Random House lifts the restraining order.
8. People stop asking why did you major in English, if you weren't going to be an English teacher.
7. You stop "volunteering" to autograph books on the sidewalk outside of Barnes & Noble.
6. Editors and agents start leaving you voicemails peppered with the words, "Darling," "Sweetie Pie," and "Lovely."
5. Your spouse stops using your manuscript to line the birdcage.
4. You don't have to buy your friends dinner to show up at your book signing.
3. You give away your lifetime supply of Ramen noodles.
2. The writers in your critique group stop falling asleep while you're reading.
1. Your mother stops asking you when you're going to get a real job.