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{{Short description|Concise expression memorable for its meaning}}
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{{wiktionarypar|saying}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2019}}
{{Literature}}
A '''saying''' is any concise [[expression (linguistics)|expression]] that is especially memorable because of its meaning or style. A saying often shows a wisdom or cultural standard, having different meanings than just the words themselves.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 October 2024 |title=Cambridge Dictionary |url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/saying |website=Cambridge Dictionary}}</ref> Sayings are categorized as follows:


* [[Aphorism]]: a general, observational truth; "a pithy expression of wisdom or truth".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Randall |first1=Bernice |title=When Is a Pig a Hog ? – A Guide to Confoundingly Related English Words |date=1 January 1997 |publisher=Bbs Pub Corp |isbn=978-0883659779 |page=113 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VCcIJq1LgCsC |access-date=27 October 2023}}</ref>
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** [[Proverb]], adage or saw: a widely known or popular aphorism that has gained credibility by long use or [[tradition]].
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** [[wikt:apothegm|Apothegm/Apophthegm]]: "an edgy, more cynical aphorism; such as, 'Men are generally more careful of the breed of their horses and dogs than of their children.'"<ref name="wtd">{{cite book|last=Rovin|first=Jeff |title=What's the Difference? A Compendium of Commonly Confused and Misused Words|year=1994|publisher=Ballantine Books|location=New York}}</ref>
* [[Axiom]]: a proposition that commends itself to general acceptance; a well-established or universally conceded principle; a maxim, rule, or law.<ref>''Oxford English Dictionary'' Online, accessed 2012-04-28</ref>
* [[Cliché]] or [[Bromide (language)|bromide]]: an unoriginal and overused saying.
** [[Platitude]]: a cliché that is unsuccessfully presented as though it were meaningful, original, or effective.
* [[Epigram]]: a clever and often [[poetic form|poetic]] written saying that comments on a specific person, idea, or thing; it especially denominates such a saying that is conspicuously put at the beginning of a text.
* [[Epitaph]]: a saying in honor of a decedent, often engraved on a [[headstone]] or [[Commemorative plaque|plaque]].
* [[Epithet]]: a descriptive word or saying already widely associated with a specific person, idea, or thing.
* [[Idiom]] or [[phraseme]]: a saying that has only a [[Literal and figurative language|non-literal interpretation]]; "an expression whose meaning can't be derived simply by hearing it, such as '[[kick the bucket]].'"<ref name=wtd/>
** [[Four-character idiom]]:
*** [[Chengyu]]: Chinese four-character idioms
*** [[Sajaseong-eo]]: Korean form of four-character idioms
*** [[Yojijukugo]]: Japanese form of four-character idioms
* [[Mantra]]: a religious, mystical, or other spiritual saying that is repeated, for example, in meditation.
* [[Maxim (philosophy)|Maxim]]: (1) an instructional expression of a general principle or rule of [[morality]] or (2) simply a [[synonym]] for "aphorism"; they include:
** [[Brocard (law)|Brocard]]
** [[Gnome (rhetoric)|Gnome]]
** [[Legal maxim]]
* [[Motto]]: a saying used frequently by a person or group to summarize its general mission.
** [[wiktionary:credo|Credo]]: a motto implicitly or explicitly extended to express a larger belief system.
** [[Slogan]]: a motto with the goal of persuading.
* [[wiktionary:quip|Quip]]: a clever or humorous saying based on an observation.
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* [[Witticism]]: a saying that is clever and usually humorous and that is notable for its form or style just as much as, or more than, its meaning.


==References==
A '''saying''' is something that is said, notable in one respect or another.
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
Another definition: a saying “is the simple, direct term for any pithy expression of wisdom or truth." From “When is a Pig a Hog?: A Guide to Confoundingly Related English Words” by Bernice Randall (Galahad Books, New York, 1991).
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{{Wiktionary|saying}}
*{{Commons category-inline|Sayings}}


{{Folklore genres}}
Depending on the aspects of the notability, there are a number of [[synonym]]s, or flavors of the notion:
{{Authority control}}

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* Apothegm. “…an edgy, more cynical aphorism; such as, ‘Men are generally more careful of the breed of their horses and dogs than of their children.’" From “What’s the Difference? A Compendium of Commonly Confused and Misused Words” by Jeff Rovin (Ballantine Books, New York, 1994).
* [[Aphorism]]. A concise definition, notably memorable.
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* [[Adage]]. An aphorism that has gained credibility by virtue of long use.
* Chestnut. A long-used and well-known story, comment, or quote.
* [[Cliché]]. An overly commonplace, hackneyed or trite saying.
* [[Epigram]]. A [[poetic form]] of comment on a particular idea, occurrence, or person.
* [[Epithet]]. A descriptive word or phrase that has become a popular formulation.
* [[Gnome (rhetoric)|Gnome]] ([[Ancient Greek|Greek:]] ''gnome'', from ''gignoskein'', to know). A type of saying, especially an [[aphorism]] or a [[maxim (philosophy)|maxim]], that is designed to provide [[instruction]] in a compact form.
* [[Idiom]]. “…an expression whose meaning can’t be derived simply by hearing it, such as ‘Kick the bucket.’” From “What’s the Difference? A Compendium of Commonly Confused and Misused Words” by Jeff Rovin (Ballantine Books, New York, 1994).
*[[Mantra]]. A religious or mystical syllable or poetic phrase.
* Maxim. A principle or rule. A maxim is a wise saying, especially one intended to advise or recommend a course of conduct. In comparison to its approximate synonyms: saying, [[adage]], saw, [[motto]], [[epigram]], [[proverb]], [[aphorism]], the term ''maxim'' stresses the succinct formulation of an ultimate truth, a fundamental principle, or a rule of conduct. The word derives from the [[Latin]] word ''maximus'', "greatest", via an expression ''maxima propositio'', "greatest premise".
* [[Motto]]. A concise expression of motivation.
* [[Platitude]]. A flat, insipid, trite, or weak remark.
* [[Proverb]]. An expression of practical truth or wisdom.
* [[Quip]]. A witty or funny observation.
* [[Saw (saying)|Saw]]. A saying that is commonplace, longstanding and occasionally trite.
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* [[Witticism]]. A smart saying, notable for its form or style rather than its content.


[[Category:Sayings| ]]
[[Category:Quotations|*]]
[[Category:Phrases]]
[[Category:Phrases]]

[[fr:Dicton]]
[[hi:सुभाषित]]
[[mk:Изрека]]
[[nrm:Diton]]
[[pl:Maksyma]]

Latest revision as of 11:46, 5 January 2025

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A saying is any concise expression that is especially memorable because of its meaning or style. A saying often shows a wisdom or cultural standard, having different meanings than just the words themselves.[1] Sayings are categorized as follows:

  • Aphorism: a general, observational truth; "a pithy expression of wisdom or truth".[2]
    • Proverb, adage or saw: a widely known or popular aphorism that has gained credibility by long use or tradition.
    • Apothegm/Apophthegm: "an edgy, more cynical aphorism; such as, 'Men are generally more careful of the breed of their horses and dogs than of their children.'"[3]
  • Axiom: a proposition that commends itself to general acceptance; a well-established or universally conceded principle; a maxim, rule, or law.[4]
  • Cliché or bromide: an unoriginal and overused saying.
    • Platitude: a cliché that is unsuccessfully presented as though it were meaningful, original, or effective.
  • Epigram: a clever and often poetic written saying that comments on a specific person, idea, or thing; it especially denominates such a saying that is conspicuously put at the beginning of a text.
  • Epitaph: a saying in honor of a decedent, often engraved on a headstone or plaque.
  • Epithet: a descriptive word or saying already widely associated with a specific person, idea, or thing.
  • Idiom or phraseme: a saying that has only a non-literal interpretation; "an expression whose meaning can't be derived simply by hearing it, such as 'kick the bucket.'"[3]
  • Mantra: a religious, mystical, or other spiritual saying that is repeated, for example, in meditation.
  • Maxim: (1) an instructional expression of a general principle or rule of morality or (2) simply a synonym for "aphorism"; they include:
  • Motto: a saying used frequently by a person or group to summarize its general mission.
    • Credo: a motto implicitly or explicitly extended to express a larger belief system.
    • Slogan: a motto with the goal of persuading.
  • Quip: a clever or humorous saying based on an observation.
  • Witticism: a saying that is clever and usually humorous and that is notable for its form or style just as much as, or more than, its meaning.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Cambridge Dictionary". Cambridge Dictionary. 14 October 2024.
  2. ^ Randall, Bernice (1 January 1997). When Is a Pig a Hog ? – A Guide to Confoundingly Related English Words. Bbs Pub Corp. p. 113. ISBN 978-0883659779. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b Rovin, Jeff (1994). What's the Difference? A Compendium of Commonly Confused and Misused Words. New York: Ballantine Books.
  4. ^ Oxford English Dictionary Online, accessed 2012-04-28
[edit]
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