Avoid cliches like the plague

I use a lot of trite expressions when speaking, but will defend myself because, when speaking, we often need empty words to give us - and our listener - time to think. I use 'apparently' far too often, frequently when I actually (oh no!) mean 'reportedly'. However, I use buzzwordish management speak rarely, and then merely as irony. I also use "With respect" when I'm about to rubbish someone's opinion.

I use far too many cliches on this blog. I will admit that, generally, I use them out of laziness. I was horrified when reading over some of my feverishly-penned ridiculous fiction and realised that I was using cliches in a misjudged attempt sincerely to convey the depth of emotion - pathos becomes bathos