“Perish the Thought: For Words We Wish Were Never Said”
Definition: A declaration intended to suppress or reject the very idea of something undesirable.
Examples:
- “Perish the thought” is uttered when someone wants to reject an idea so vehemently that they’d prefer it never existed.
- “Bite your tongue!” as a modern-day counterpart leans more towards stopping an undesirable truth from being expressed.
Related Terms
Proverbs/Idioms:
- “Bite your tongue” – Keep yourself from speaking.
- “Don’t even think about it” – Don’t let the thought cross your mind.
- “God/heaven forbid” – A wish that something awful should not happen.
Synonyms:
- Banished concept
- Forbidden idea
- Unthinkable notion
Antonyms:
- Welcome thought
- Desired idea
- Embraced notion
Humor-Filled Quotes:
- “When you say ‘perish the thought,’ are you being dramatic or just avoiding the next cat video discussion?”
- “I try to ‘perish the thought’ of a world without chocolate. Some things are too frightening to imagine!”
Famous Literary Reference:
- Richard III by William Shakespeare: This expression reportedly appeared in Colley Cibber’s 1700 adaptation, showing its deep historical roots.
Literature & Media References:
- Movies: “Inception” – A film where suppressing undesirable thoughts takes a whole new dimension.
- Books: “1984” by George Orwell – Thoughts are so controlled that expressing the wrong one could lead to peril.
- Songs: “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” by Bob Dylan
Inspirational Thought:
“Sometimes, the strongest stand we can take is in our silence; so perish the thought, and let tranquility reign.”
Author Bio:
👤 L. G. Lexicons: Linguistics enthusiast and cliché compiler extraordinaire, bringing life, and a good dose of humor, to old, worn-out phrases.
Reflecting on clichés and their long history reminds us that while our thoughts may arise freely, not all of them deserve a place in our conversations. Whether with a wish, a vow, or even using ancient expressions, sometimes it’s best to let some thoughts perish silently into the annals of obscurity.
Farewell Thought: “As we voyage through the words that weave our world, may we learn to cherish the joy of unspoken wisdom, where some thoughts find peace in gentle secrecy.” 🌟
