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A saying is any concise expression that is especially memorable because of its meaning or style. A saying often shows a wisdom or cultural standard, having different meanings than just the words themselves. Sayings are categorized as follows:
- Aphorism: a general, observational truth; "a pithy expression of wisdom or truth".
- Axiom: a proposition that commends itself to general acceptance; a well-established or universally conceded principle; a maxim, rule, or law.
- Cliché or bromide: an unoriginal and overused saying.
- Platitude: a cliché that is unsuccessfully presented as though it were meaningful, original, or effective.
- Epigram: a clever and often poetic written saying that comments on a specific person, idea, or thing; it especially denominates such a saying that is conspicuously put at the beginning of a text.
- Epitaph: a saying in honor of a decedent, often engraved on a headstone or plaque.
- Epithet: a descriptive word or saying already widely associated with a specific person, idea, or thing.
- Idiom or phraseme: a saying that has only a non-literal interpretation; "an expression whose meaning can't be derived simply by hearing it, such as 'kick the bucket.'"
- Four-character idiom:
- Chengyu: Chinese four-character idioms
- Sajaseong-eo: Korean form of four-character idioms
- Yojijukugo: Japanese form of four-character idioms
- Four-character idiom:
- Mantra: a religious, mystical, or other spiritual saying that is repeated, for example, in meditation.
- Maxim: (1) an instructional expression of a general principle or rule of morality or (2) simply a synonym for "aphorism"; they include:
- Brocard
- Gnome
- Legal maxim
- Motto: a saying used frequently by a person or group to summarize its general mission.
- Credo: a motto implicitly or explicitly extended to express a larger belief system.
- Slogan: a motto with the goal of persuading.
- Quip: a clever or humorous saying based on an observation.
- Witticism: a saying that is clever and usually humorous and that is notable for its form or style just as much as, or more than, its meaning.
References
- "Cambridge Dictionary". Cambridge Dictionary. 14 October 2024.
- Randall, Bernice (1 January 1997). When Is a Pig a Hog ? – A Guide to Confoundingly Related English Words. Bbs Pub Corp. p. 113. ISBN 978-0883659779. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- Rovin, Jeff (1994). What's the Difference? A Compendium of Commonly Confused and Misused Words. New York: Ballantine Books.
- Oxford English Dictionary Online, accessed 2012-04-28
External links
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Media related to Sayings at Wikimedia Commons
This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Saying news newspapers books scholar JSTOR November 2019 Learn how and when to remove this message A saying is any concise expression that is especially memorable because of its meaning or style A saying often shows a wisdom or cultural standard having different meanings than just the words themselves Sayings are categorized as follows Aphorism a general observational truth a pithy expression of wisdom or truth Proverb adage or saw a widely known or popular aphorism that has gained credibility by long use or tradition Apothegm Apophthegm an edgy more cynical aphorism such as Men are generally more careful of the breed of their horses and dogs than of their children Axiom a proposition that commends itself to general acceptance a well established or universally conceded principle a maxim rule or law Cliche or bromide an unoriginal and overused saying Platitude a cliche that is unsuccessfully presented as though it were meaningful original or effective Epigram a clever and often poetic written saying that comments on a specific person idea or thing it especially denominates such a saying that is conspicuously put at the beginning of a text Epitaph a saying in honor of a decedent often engraved on a headstone or plaque Epithet a descriptive word or saying already widely associated with a specific person idea or thing Idiom or phraseme a saying that has only a non literal interpretation an expression whose meaning can t be derived simply by hearing it such as kick the bucket Four character idiom Chengyu Chinese four character idioms Sajaseong eo Korean form of four character idioms Yojijukugo Japanese form of four character idioms Mantra a religious mystical or other spiritual saying that is repeated for example in meditation Maxim 1 an instructional expression of a general principle or rule of morality or 2 simply a synonym for aphorism they include Brocard Gnome Legal maxim Motto a saying used frequently by a person or group to summarize its general mission Credo a motto implicitly or explicitly extended to express a larger belief system Slogan a motto with the goal of persuading Quip a clever or humorous saying based on an observation Witticism a saying that is clever and usually humorous and that is notable for its form or style just as much as or more than its meaning References Cambridge Dictionary Cambridge Dictionary 14 October 2024 Randall Bernice 1 January 1997 When Is a Pig a Hog A Guide to Confoundingly Related English Words Bbs Pub Corp p 113 ISBN 978 0883659779 Retrieved 27 October 2023 Rovin Jeff 1994 What s the Difference A Compendium of Commonly Confused and Misused Words New York Ballantine Books Oxford English Dictionary Online accessed 2012 04 28External linksLook up saying in Wiktionary the free dictionary Media related to Sayings at Wikimedia Commons
