Saying

A saying is any concise expression that is especially memorable because of its meaning or style.^{[citation needed]} Sayings are categorized as follows:

Aphorism: a general, observational truth; "a pithy expression of wisdom or truth".^[1]
- Adage, proverb, 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.'"^[2]
Axiom: a proposition that commends itself to general acceptance; a well-established or universally conceded principle; a maxim, rule, or law.^[3]
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, idiomatic phrase 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.'"^[2]
- Four-character idiom:
  - Chengyu: Chinese four-character idioms
  - Sajaseong-eo: Korean form of four-character idioms
  - Yojijukugo: Japanese form of four-character idioms
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.
- Credo: a motto implicitly or explicitly extended to express a larger belief system.
- Slogan: a motto with the goal of persuading.
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[edit]

^ Randall, Bernice (1 January 1997). When Is a Pig a Hog ? – A Guide to Confoundingly Related English Words. Bbs Pub Corp. p. 113. ISBN 978-0883659779. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
^ ^a ^b Rovin, Jeff (1994). What's the Difference? A Compendium of Commonly Confused and Misused Words. New York: Ballantine Books.
^ Oxford English Dictionary Online, accessed 2012-04-28

External links[edit]

Media related to Sayings at Wikimedia Commons

[1] Randall, Bernice (1 January 1997). When Is a Pig a Hog ? – A Guide to Confoundingly Related English Words. Bbs Pub Corp. p. 113. ISBN 978-0883659779. Retrieved 27 October 2023.

[wtd-2] Rovin, Jeff (1994). What's the Difference? A Compendium of Commonly Confused and Misused Words. New York: Ballantine Books.

[3] Oxford English Dictionary Online, accessed 2012-04-28

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v t e Folklore genres and types
Narrative	Animal tale Fable Fairy tale Legend Tall tales Parable Personal narrative Urban legend
Oral tradition	Folk etymology False Joke Nursery rhyme Proverb Riddle Saying Word game
Folk belief	Folk religion Folk saint Ghostlore Legend tripping Mythology Old wives' tale Ritual Weather lore
Folk arts	Folk art Folk epic Folk dance Folk instrument Folk music Folk play Folk wrestling Foodways
Society	Cunning folk Fakelore Folk devil Folk healer Folk hero
See also	Folklore studies Morphology (folkloristics) Aarne–Thompson–Uther Index Motif-Index of Folk-Literature Storytelling Tradition Story Vernacular