Saying
Concise expression memorable for its meaning
title: "Saying" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["sayings", "quotations", "phrases"] description: "Concise expression memorable for its meaning" topic_path: "general/sayings" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saying" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Concise expression memorable for its meaning ::
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. Sayings are categorized as follows:
- Aphorism: a general, observational truth; "a pithy expression of wisdom or truth".
- 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.'"
- Axiom: a proposition that commends itself to general acceptance; a well-established or universally conceded principle; a maxim, rule, or law.
- 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.'"
- Four-character idiom:
- Chengyu: Chinese four-character idioms
- Sajaseong-eo: Korean form of four-character idioms
- Yojijukugo: Japanese form of four-character idioms
- Four-character idiom:
- 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.
- 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
References
- (14 October 2024). "Cambridge Dictionary".
- (1 January 1997). "When Is a Pig a Hog ? – A Guide to Confoundingly Related English Words". Bbs Pub Corp.
- Rovin, Jeff. (1994). "What's the Difference? A Compendium of Commonly Confused and Misused Words". Ballantine Books.
- ''Oxford English Dictionary'' Online, accessed 2012-04-28
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