Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day: "Hackneyed"

Release Date: January 15, 2025
Host: Peter Sokolowski, Merriam-Webster

Introduction

In the January 15, 2025 episode of Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day, host Peter Sokolowski delves into the nuances of the word "hackneyed." This episode offers listeners an insightful exploration of the term's definition, historical context, and its relevance in contemporary language.

Defining "Hackneyed"

Peter begins by breaking down the pronunciation and spelling of the word: "hackneyed," spelled H-A-C-K-N-E-Y-E-D. He categorizes it as an adjective and succinctly defines it as describing something that has lost its interest or humor due to overuse. In essence, a hackneyed phrase or idea lacks freshness and originality because it has been used repeatedly to the point of cliché.

"Something is considered hackneyed when it's not interesting or funny because of being used too often. In other words, it's neither fresh nor original."
— Peter Sokolowski [00:00]

Usage Example

To illustrate the usage of "hackneyed," Peter references a sentence from Tim Grierson's publication, Vulture. He presents the sentence:

"Any positive lesson here is lost in all the hackneyed jokes, and by the end, the movie falls apart entirely."
— Peter Sokolowski [00:00]

This example highlights how overused jokes can undermine the overall quality and message of a film, rendering it ineffective.

Historical Perspectives on Hackneyed Phrases

Peter then ventures into the historical analysis of hackneyed phrases, citing H.W. Fowler's 1926 work, A Dictionary of Modern English Usage. Under the section "Hackneyed Phrases," Fowler advises against the use of certain trite expressions. While some phrases like "too funny for words" and "my better half" remain familiar to modern audiences, others such as "the Latin hinc ilae lacrymae" have faded into obscurity.

"Fowler was not the first usage writer to warn against the overuse of hackneyed, that is, trite or cliched phrases."
— Peter Sokolowski [00:00]

Peter acknowledges that Fowler was part of a broader movement during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where several authors actively discouraged the use of banal turn phrases. For instance:

• Frederick Lawrence Knowles (1890): Advised against terms like "agitate, the tintinnabulatory."
• Margaret Aschman and Gerhard Lohmer (1917): Discouraged phrases such as "the dreamy mazes of the waltz."

The Longevity of Phrases

A compelling discussion arises around whether these admonished hackneyed phrases actually became obsolete. Peter expresses skepticism, noting that many phrases criticized in historical usage guides have endured over time. Phrases like "blushing bride," "bated breath," and "one fell swoop" continue to be part of everyday language despite earlier objections.

"Perhaps a more plausible explanation is that phrases come and go with time. This is, in a way, a pleasant explanation, for it means that the seemingly ubiquitous phrase you detest stands a fair chance of falling by the wayside. Only time will tell, as they say."
— Peter Sokolowski [02:00]

This observation suggests that while certain phrases may appear overused at a given time, their longevity is not solely determined by early critiques. Instead, their persistence depends on evolving language trends and societal acceptance.

Conclusion

Peter Sokolowski wraps up the episode by emphasizing the dynamic nature of language and the ebb and flow of phrase popularity. He underscores that the classification of phrases as "hackneyed" often reflects current linguistic preferences, which can shift over time.

"Only time will tell, as they say, with your word of the day. I'm Peter Sokolowski."
— Peter Sokolowski [02:00]

Listeners are encouraged to visit Merriam-Webster.com for more definitions, wordplay, and trending word lookups, as indicated in the episode's closing remarks.

Key Takeaways

• "Hackneyed" refers to something unoriginal or overused, leading to a loss of interest or humor.
• Historical usage guides have long cautioned against the use of hackneyed phrases, though not all such phrases have become obsolete.
• The persistence or decline of phrases deemed hackneyed depends on changing language trends and societal usage over time.

This episode serves as a valuable resource for language enthusiasts aiming to enhance their vocabulary while avoiding the pitfalls of cliché expressions.