Language Log

Zippy on formulaic language

Here's a Zippy retrospective on formulaic language: cartoons on snowclones (in addition to the three listed in my last Zippy posting), clichés, catchphrases, and idioms.



Snowclones: X3 ("Location, location, location")

Snowclones: Proportional Analogy (X is to Y as Z is to W)

Clichés: a four-pack

Clichés: play on "Misery loves company"

Catchphrases: "Can we talk?" and "Are we having fun yet?"

Idioms: "know the score"

zwicky at-sign csli period stanford period edu

Posted by Arnold Zwicky at January 20, 2007 02:51 PM