Saying

Saying

A saying is something that is said, notable in one respect or another, to be "a pithy expression of wisdom or truth."[1]

There are a number of specific types of saying:

  • Apothegm. “…an edgy, more cynical aphorism; such as, ‘Men are generally more careful of the breed of their horses and dogs than of their children.’" [2]
  • Aphorism. A concise definition, notably memorable.
  • Adage. An aphorism that has gained credibility by virtue of long use.
  • Cliché. An overly commonplace, hackneyed or trite saying.
  • Epigram. A poetic form of comment on a particular idea, occurrence, or person.
  • Epithet. A descriptive word or phrase that has become a popular formulation.
  • Gnome (Greek: gnome, from gignoskein, to know). A type of saying, especially an aphorism or a maxim, that is designed to provide instruction in a compact form.
  • Idiom. “…an expression whose meaning can’t be derived simply by hearing it, such as ‘Kick the bucket.’[2]
  • Mantra. A religious or mystical syllable or poetic phrase.
  • Maxim. A principle or rule. A maxim is a wise saying, especially one intended to advise or recommend a course of conduct. In comparison to its approximate synonyms: saying, adage, saw, motto, epigram, proverb, aphorism, the term maxim stresses the succinct formulation of an ultimate truth, a fundamental principle, or a rule of conduct. The word derives from the Latin word maximus, "greatest", via an expression maxima propositio, "greatest premise".
  • Motto. A concise expression of motivation used by a group or individual
  • Platitude. A flat, insipid, trite, or weak remark.
  • Proverb. An expression of practical truth or wisdom.
  • Quip. A witty or funny observation.
  • Saw. A saying that is commonplace, longstanding and occasionally trite.
  • Witticism. A smart saying, notable for its form or style rather than its content.

References

  1. ^ “When is a Pig a Hog?: A Guide to Confoundingly Related English Words” by Bernice Randall (Galahad Books, New York, 1991).
  2. ^ a b “What’s the Difference? A Compendium of Commonly Confused and Misused Words” by Jeff Rovin (Ballantine Books, New York, 1994).

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  • saying — saying, saw, adage, proverb, maxim, motto, epigram, aphorism, apothegm can all denote a sententious expression of a general truth. A saying is a brief current or habitual expression that may be anonymous, traditional, or attributable to a… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • saying — [sā′iŋ] n. 1. the act of one who says 2. something said; esp., an adage, proverb, or maxim SYN. SAYINGSAYING is the simple, direct term for any pithy expression of wisdom or truth; a SAW2 is an old, homely saying that is well worn by repetition… …   English World dictionary

  • saying — (n.) utterance, recitation, act of the verb say, c.1300, verbal noun from SAY (Cf. say) (v.); meaning something that has been said (usually by someone thought important) is from c.1300; sense of a proverb is first attested mid 15c. Ça va sans… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Saying — Say ing, n. That which is said; a declaration; a statement, especially a proverbial one; an aphorism; a proverb. [1913 Webster] Many are the sayings of the wise, In ancient and in modern books enrolled. Milton. [1913 Webster] Syn: Declaration;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • saying — index catchword, expression (comment), maxim, phrase, remark Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • saying — [n] maxim, proverb adage, aphorism, apophthegm, axiom, byword, dictum, epigram, motto, precept, saw, statement, truism; concept 278 …   New thesaurus

  • saying — ► NOUN ▪ a short, commonly known expression containing advice or wisdom …   English terms dictionary

  • saying — Synonyms and related words: Parthian shot, adage, address, affirmance, affirmation, allegation, ana, analects, announcement, annunciation, answer, aphorism, apostrophe, apothegm, assertion, asseveration, averment, avouchment, avowal, axiom,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • saying */*/ — UK [ˈseɪɪŋ] / US noun [countable] Word forms saying : singular saying plural sayings a well known statement about what often happens in life Tomorrow s another day, she said, repeating one of her many sayings. as the saying goes (= according to… …   English dictionary

  • saying — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ common, famous, popular, well known ▪ old, traditional ▪ wise ▪ favourite/favorite …   Collocations dictionary

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