
Saturday, August 19, 2006
At the end of the day are clichés really that bad?

As Jane M. Von Bergen rightly points out, if the phrase "at the end of the day" was used sparingly and effectively then we would welcome its use today as a preface to deeply significant observations; instead, because the phrase has become so hackneyed, it is rendered meaningless.
What makes at the end of the day so particularly revolting is the phrase's truth-in-advertising problem.
I get excited when people sound as if they are about to emit wisdom. That end of the day phrase tunes me up in anticipation of a Tuesdays With Morrie-level insight, something meaningful, something important.
Enough is Enough [Philadelphia Inquirer via Obscure Store]
:: posted by David, 6:53 PM