Motivational speakers cannot avoid being cheesy unless they have a clear idea of what the word means. Some suggest that its meaning is peculiarly American and others think it belongs to computer jargon. The fact that it is listed in a 1982 dictionary indicates that it is more likely to have come from the habit of photographers to say 'cheese' when about to take a snap shot. On the command subjects were expected to produce artificial grins.
Cheese is a tasty morsel, yet the expression derived from it is not complimentary. In the inimitable way of words it suggests something that may be tasty but somehow offensive. The fact that the expression has been used for more than two decades may indicate that people have become more critical in recent times. They may be more adept at sniffing out the sort of insincerity that allowed speakers in previous eras to lead their audiences into wars and destruction.
The ongoing currency of an expression like cheesy might be an indication to speakers that audiences are more alert to pretentiousness and insincerity than they were before the days of TV and mass communication. If a term like cheesy has entered public consciousness, orators should heed the warning.
A word like cheesy has such an indeterminate meaning that it might itself be classed as a cliche. Its original wit has been worn away by frequent use so it no longer represents an original expression. Evidence suggest that people often use it without any clear idea of what they mean, except that they mean to be derogatory.
The use of cliche is such a prominent feature of language use that one may be forgiven for thinking that some politicians would be dumb if they could not use phrases that they have heard before. Language is very much like music and some people like to use cliches as others like to hum familiar tunes. Some politicians may in fact have very little to say that is original, so it is convenient for them to utter phrases that sound vaguely meaningful.
Although cliches do slip unobtrusively into the speech of most people it is possible for a speaker to guard against too many of them by careful preparation. This does not imply learning a speech by rote. Instead a speaker can think in terms of metaphor, of analogies and symbols. These are the fundamentals of original thought. Even ordinary thoughts can seem exciting and fresh when dressed in the fine clothes of metaphor and symbolism.
Another word for cheesy is pretentious. A speaker may guard against insincerity by thinking carefully, in advance, about what it really is that he wants to say. Most people are motivated by needs of one sort or another. Very often they may need to feel secure, or good about themselves. A speaker may play on these needs without being insincere.
Motivational speakers are engaged in something that used to be called rhetoric and was a compulsory subject in schools. It is a dangerous and potent art that has led whole nations to either victory or disaster. Within living memory Adolf Hitler and Winston Churchill persuaded their followers to actions on opposite sides of a horrendous conflict. The role of the critical audience may be more pronounced in contemporary times which will be good for the world.
Cheese is a tasty morsel, yet the expression derived from it is not complimentary. In the inimitable way of words it suggests something that may be tasty but somehow offensive. The fact that the expression has been used for more than two decades may indicate that people have become more critical in recent times. They may be more adept at sniffing out the sort of insincerity that allowed speakers in previous eras to lead their audiences into wars and destruction.
The ongoing currency of an expression like cheesy might be an indication to speakers that audiences are more alert to pretentiousness and insincerity than they were before the days of TV and mass communication. If a term like cheesy has entered public consciousness, orators should heed the warning.
A word like cheesy has such an indeterminate meaning that it might itself be classed as a cliche. Its original wit has been worn away by frequent use so it no longer represents an original expression. Evidence suggest that people often use it without any clear idea of what they mean, except that they mean to be derogatory.
The use of cliche is such a prominent feature of language use that one may be forgiven for thinking that some politicians would be dumb if they could not use phrases that they have heard before. Language is very much like music and some people like to use cliches as others like to hum familiar tunes. Some politicians may in fact have very little to say that is original, so it is convenient for them to utter phrases that sound vaguely meaningful.
Although cliches do slip unobtrusively into the speech of most people it is possible for a speaker to guard against too many of them by careful preparation. This does not imply learning a speech by rote. Instead a speaker can think in terms of metaphor, of analogies and symbols. These are the fundamentals of original thought. Even ordinary thoughts can seem exciting and fresh when dressed in the fine clothes of metaphor and symbolism.
Another word for cheesy is pretentious. A speaker may guard against insincerity by thinking carefully, in advance, about what it really is that he wants to say. Most people are motivated by needs of one sort or another. Very often they may need to feel secure, or good about themselves. A speaker may play on these needs without being insincere.
Motivational speakers are engaged in something that used to be called rhetoric and was a compulsory subject in schools. It is a dangerous and potent art that has led whole nations to either victory or disaster. Within living memory Adolf Hitler and Winston Churchill persuaded their followers to actions on opposite sides of a horrendous conflict. The role of the critical audience may be more pronounced in contemporary times which will be good for the world.
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