Cliché Day: What's Wrong with Overused Phrases? And the Evolution of the Word 'Organic.' 952.

[@seanwebb605]

The problem with fishing is that you might get crabs.

[@Paul71H]

4:45 - Interesting but somewhat confusing point about "devil's advocate." I've always thought that the point of "playing devil's advocate" was to test the validity of an argument by formulating a counter-argument, even though you might not agree with the counter-argument. That's how I've usually heard it used. I hadn't heard of this term being used to downplay discrimination. I did some internet searching to try to understand the opposition to this term, and it sounds like the main complaint is that people sometimes "play devil's advocate" to try to invalidate a person's own lived experience. I would definitely agree that that's generally not a productive (nor polite nor kind) use of "devil's advocate." So I think I understand the objection to the term, even if some of the articles I found seem to go a bit astray by taking offense at people having different political policy preferences.

[@grammargirl]

I know what you mean. I had to think about that line too. I believe it's that people say outrageous or harmful things, and then pretend they don't believe them by saying, "I was just playing devil's advocate."

[@BBKing1977]

I never would've guessed that "cliché" was onomatopoeic. You learn something new everyday! (Sorry, was that cliché?)

[@grammargirl]

Haha, maybe a little cliché, but I don't mind!

[@StephanieSoressi]

Of course it is a real word!