In this installment of Word Knots we’re continuing with our current series, looking at hackneyed expressions that should be avoided.

Once again our source for this installment is The Dimwit’s Dictionary by Robert Hartwell Fiske (Edison, NJ: Castle Nooks). This is a very entertaining book that’s also very useful: I highly recommend it.

From Fiske (excerpted):

Nickel-and-dime

A moribund metaphor.

■

Fiske says this about moribund metaphors (edited and excerpted):

Metaphors, like similes, should have the briefest of lives. Their vitality  depends on their evanescence. … Frequently incongruous, (these) metaphors disfigure any sentence in which they are found.

■

This one is (too) often used as both an adjective and a verb. Fiske suggests several replacements for the adjectival form, including cheap, economical, insignificant, miserly, stingy, small-time, and thrifty.

Let’s look at examples where it can be replaced effectively.

Original:

To save money, the landlord tried to nickel-and-dime the contractors doing repairs.

Possible Edits:

To save money, the landlord tried to be stingy with the contractors doing repairs.

To save money, the landlord tried to be cheap with the contractors doing repairs.

Original:

After the anchor stores left the shopping center, nickel-and-dime retailers flooded the empty space.

Possible Edits:

After the anchor stores left the shopping center, small-time retailers flooded the empty space.

After the anchor stores left the shopping center, insignificant retailers flooded the empty space.

Word choice has an impact on your message. Paying attention to the words you use will make your message more effective.

Remember: In self-publishing, presentation is critical. If you’re a self-publishing author, check out our new publishing blog, where each week we discuss topics relevant to self-publishing.

Like this post? Follow Virtus Publishing on LinkedIn!