A saying is any concisely written or spoken
expression that is especially memorable because of its meaning or style. Sayings are categorized as follows:
*
Aphorism: a general, observational truth; "a pithy expression of wisdom or truth".
**
Adage,
proverb, or
saw: a widely known or popular aphorism that has gained credibility by long use or
tradition.
**
Apothegm
An adage (; Latin: adagium) is a memorable and usually philosophical aphorism that communicates an important truth derived from experience, custom, or both, and that many people consider true and credible because of its longeval tradition, i.e ...
: "an edgy, more cynical aphorism; such as, 'Men are generally more careful of the breed of their horses and dogs than of their children.'"
*
Axiom: a proposition that commends itself to general acceptance; a well-established or universally conceded principle; a maxim, rule, or law.
[''Oxford English Dictionary'' Online, accessed 2012-04-28]
*
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
An epitaph (; ) is a short text honoring a deceased person. Strictly speaking, it refers to text that is inscribed on a tombstone or plaque, but it may also be used in a figurative sense. Some epitaphs are specified by the person themselves be ...
: 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.'"
[
** 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:
** Brocard
** Gnome
** Legal maxim
* Motto: a saying used frequently by a person or group to summarize its general mission.
** 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
External links
*
{{Folklore genres
*
Phrases