An In-depth Look At Cliches in Poetry- By Liam Acornley, Kim Wildish and Katy Garnham

Cliché: To me, Cliché is the act of using a term, or saying or idea that is overused in consumable text or media.  Anton C. Zijderveld, a Dutch sociologist, defines clichés in his treatise “On Clichés” as: A cliché is a traditional form of human expression (in words, thoughts, emotions, gestures, acts) which–due to repetitive use in social life–has lost its original, often ingenious heuristic power. Although it thus fails positively to contribute meaning to social interactions and communication, it does function socially, since it manages to stimulate behaviour (cognition, emotion, volition, action), while it avoids reflection on meanings. 

When writing, it is generally thought of as a good idea to avoid clichés, to prevent things from becoming predictable or mundane, however, unlike a grand omnibus of tales such as Lord of the Rings, poetry is less a service to the reader, and more an expression of ones latent emotions, making the act of using a cliché much more acceptable. However this isn’t to say there is no such thing as cliché in poetry, the opposite really.

One of the most read and reimagined lines of poetry of all time is found within ‘Gammer Gorton's Garland’, a 1784 collection of English nursery rhymes, where we can find the lines “Roses are red, violets are blue, the honey’s sweet, and so are you.” Numerous satirical versions have long circulated in poetic lore, and before long the overuse of these lines created a very well-known cliché.

The segment is copied in thousands of examples and formats from serious renditions, to satirical versions such as Benny Hill’s “Roses are reddish, Violets are bluish, If it weren't for Christmas, We'd all be Jewish.” The lines of poetry gained so much traction and became so well used that other forms of media soon followed, “Roses are Red” is a American film-noir made in 1947 and “Violets are Blue” is an American romance film from 1986, clearly referencing the cliché that is the original lines from poetry. 

The use of cliché can either make or break a piece of writing. Sometimes the use of cliché can work and we would read and continue on our journey, however in some instances the use of cliché can make us pause and rethink, because people can often have a different interpretation as opposed to that of another person. What you might read into a line, when asking another person what they thought of the matter, you might get an entirely different response. Sometimes the difference in interpretation can come down to where you’re from (country of origin, etc.) which is usually why avoiding a cliché could prove useful in your writing. Avoiding a cliché gives way for you to expand and write out what you’re intending to say, instead of leaving it down to the reader’s interpretation, which could end up being the exact opposite of what you’re trying to say. However, occasionally it can be important to use a cliché in your writing.

Clichés have always been a way of expressing something that was once new, as an example; “It’s raining cats and dogs.” The expression was formed as a way of explaining bizarre weather and has continued to be in use for quite a long time. We’ve come to rely on this as a cliché, as it’s one that everybody recognises for having that singular meaning. Typically, I would usually refrain from using obscure clichés with multiple interpretations or ones that could only be understood by a niche audience. But I do understand the use of vague clichés and their use to use as writers. Sometimes the point and joy of writing is for the reader to come up with their own interpretations of your work, even if it’s nothing close to what you originally had in mind.

Clichés come in all forms, be it story arcs that have been recycled from the oldest literature we have, pop songs using the same four chords and lyrics, plays that have the same “shocking” twist that can be predicted before you found your seat or tv tropes that are unfortunately clichés. “Bury your gays” trope, looking at you here. Even your favourite fairy-tale follows a formula that breeds clichés:(A princess as a damsel) + (a circumstance for distress) + (a charming prince to save the day)= A Classic Original Fairy-tale ™.But in poetry, a more intricate literary art form- where do we find clichés? Well, it’s not surprising that the same phrases of description, metaphors and similes get re-used.

The reasons why we reuse the same phrases are obvious- we have the same feeling and meaning when writing the poem, so it only seems natural to use the words that first come to thought. Cliché phrases in poetry, although repeated to the point the emotion is lost, do originate from an emotion conveyed by words. It only makes sense someone feeling the same thing reuses the phrase (either on purpose or by accident) because they feel it too.

Who uses clichés? Inexperienced writers? No- everyone uses clichés. Even professional writers. Writers who perhaps need more practice don’t usually stray from the cliché they used. More experienced writers utilise a cliché by calling upon the emotion they convey and the words used in the beginning of a cliché. Then find their own more unique way to phrase and convey the emotion. Sometimes they don’t, there’s little wrong with using a good cliché in the right way so that it still has power. Sometimes it’s used for irony. So what’s a cliché in poetry? A cliché in poetry can be found in recycled metaphors and similes that describe something or someone in the same vast and expansive way that holds no ground for the reader to relate.

Examples sourced from http://literarydevices.net/cliche/:

Common Cliché Delete repeated word

Example #1
In describing time, the following expressions have turned into cliché: in the nick of time – to happen just in time. Only time will tell – to become clear over time. A matter of time – to happen sooner or later. At the speed of light – to do something very quickly. Lasted an eternity – to last for a very long time. Lost track of time – to stop paying attention to time

Example #2
In describing people, these expressions have turned into cliché: as brave as a lion – a cliché to describe a very brave personas clever as a fox – a cliché to describe a very clever personas old as the hills – a cliché to describe an old persona diamond in the rough – a cliché to describe someone with a brilliant future. Fit as a fiddle – a cliché to describe a person in a good shapes meek as a lamb – a cliché to describe a person who is too weak and humble 

Example #3
In describing various sentiments, a number of expressions have turned into cliché e.g. frightened to death – to be too frightened. Scared out of one’s wits – to be too frightened. All is fair in love and war – to go to any extent to claim somebody’s love. All is well that ends well – a happy ending reduces the severity of problems that come in the way. Every cloud has a silver lining – problems also have something good in them. The writing on the wall – something clear and already understood. Time heals all wounds – pain and miseries get will with the passage of time. haste makes waste – people make mistakes in a rush

Example #4
Below is a list of some more common clichés:
They all lived happily ever after.
Read between the lines
Fall head over heels
Waking up on the wrong side of the bed
The quiet before the storm
Between the devil and the deep blue sea