CLICHES
SIR,—Is not the ready condemnation of clichés itself becoming something of a cliche, and, as such, often a little tiresome and unhelpful? Your reviewer of Allan Michie's Retreat to Victory dislikes seeing Mr. Jinnah described as " well-dressed," regiments as " swanky " and the late King Ghazi of Iraq as " sports-loving, speed-crazy." Why object to such an innocent phrase as " well-dressed," which at least is better than the commoner " immaculately dressed "? It may be that the descriptive point here is not worth making, but that is not a question of cliches. Why object to describing a regiment by the racy American word (of ancient English origin) " swanky," when we ourselvei call a good regiment a smart one? " Sports-loving, speed-crazy " has the artificial glitter of Time about it, but does at least make a helpful picture of a man. Distasteful as he finds the cliché, your reviewer says about Mr. Michie without a single twinge of conscience: " He has strong views which he is not afraid to express." That surely is a stereotyped phrase if ever there was one. How many millions of times has it not been said when a presentation was being made?
Some fastidious people object to that useful phrase, " the war effort." It has indeed become one of daily use, but does say something dear and useful. Those who want us to vary it 'remind me of sensitive critics who objected to the everlasting headline, " Worn-out Horses," at a time when some of my colleagues and I were doing our best to help these pathetic old friends. What better expression for them is there than " worn-out horses "? If you are to seek synonyms at any cost you are likely to hurry back towards the repetition-avoiding absurdities
of Sala.—Yours faithfully, W. L. ANDREWS. Grey Garth, West Park, Leeds, 6.
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