It Goes Without Saying: Clichés That Do All the Talking For You
Every language has phrases that are so deeply ingrained in everyday conversation, we often forget they’re there at all. “It goes without saying” is, ironically, one such phrase it hardly needs mentioning! This delightful oxymoron nudges us like an old friend, reminding us of the obviousness of our statements while pretending to behave modestly. Oh, the irony!
Other Equally Inevitable Expressions:
- Needless to say
- It’s a given
- It’s understood
- Obviously
- Without a doubt
Synonyms:
- Manifest
- Evident
- Self-explanatory
- Axiomatic
Antonyms:
- Hidden
- Unstated
- Unclear
Contextual Examples:
- It goes without saying that a book lover like you will find this dictionary almost too fascinating to put down.
- When you overspend without a second thought, it goes without saying that looking at your bank account is, well, less fun.
Literary Lightning Bolts:
“It goes without saying, senor,” Don Quixote said, “that a knight-errant without a lady-love is like a tree without leaves or a body without a soul.” – Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote.
Musical Musings:
“What goes without saying should come without asking.” – Tim Miller in his song, Confidential Sun.
Ponderous Proverbs:
- “The longest journey begins with a single step, yet it goes without saying you need to take it.”
Light-Hearted Humor:
“Church efforts to prevent sin goes without saying.”
Must-Read Core and Essentials:
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Books:
- Catch-22 by Joseph Heller – a linguistic playground.
- 1984 by George Orwell – for the love of newspeak.
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Movies:
- Dead Poets Society – oh, captain, obvious captain!
- Amélie – delve into the unspoken charm of life.
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Songs:
- “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield – don’t tell Natasha, but it goes without saying, you’ll love it.
- “Beautiful Day” by U2 – because sometimes the message is clear as day.
Thought-Provoking Quizzes
Farewell
Remember, without clichés, where would we be? Take a moment to appreciate the charm of these overused phrases. They shape our everyday communication and offer us a linguistic shorthand that proves we aren’t always as original as we think – and that’s okay!
With words of whimsy,
Verbi N. Cous,
October 2023
