Yes, sportscasters aren't the only ones who use "cliches"--but we sure get it from those select news folks that turn their noses up at us for doing it. Tonight, it's time for some equal time.
Now, I'm going to restrict this to the broadcasting side because that's where you see and hear the three cliches that I'm going to be talking about, so here goes:
1) "Behind Bars". This one is my biggest pet peeves--simply because nobody talks that way. We broadcasters are taught to write conversationally, and I have never--no, not once!!!-- have ever used "Did you hear? So-and-so got put BEHIND BARS tonight for that robbery last night". I would say,--and I've heard others say, "He/she got put in jail.", or if I was feeling creative, "He-she got sent to the hoosegow.", but not "BEHIND BARS". Cliche all the way, newsies.
2) "In Harm's Way". See my point above. I have never used this cliche in a conversation, and I've never heard anybody else use it in a coversation. I do hear this said cliche in a lot of politicial rhetoric, and most of us know what political rhetoric is worth.
3) "Straight Ahead.. ". This is a popular cliche used in what we in the news biz call a "tease"--to give a viewer a taste of what's coming up usually after a break. Once again, ever hear this cliche used in a conversation? No. Meant to make the user/writer look clever? 100%. But isn't that what sportscasters are accused of doing when they use cliches? Yes. And rightfully so. Sure looks like we might be in the same kind of boat, eh?
So, if one insists on cracking on the sports guys but continues to use the above three cliches, or any that I haven't mentioned, well let me give you another cliche to drive my point home: "Shut your pie hole".
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