CJ> A cliche dictionary would make a good add-on to a grammar checker,
 CJ> one would think.
 BS> That's such a good idea. I should think it would be easy to 
 BS> program and if it could be added on to the major word processing 
 BS> programs, it could be a real moneymaker. I wish I owned a cliche 
 BS> checking program.
	Some of the disadvantages would be similar to those of
 a grammar checker:
	1) Sometimes one *wants* to use a cliche.  It helps show
 that a character has an unoriginal mind (though, of course, this
 should be done sparingly).  And the topic may be cliches, and
 examples should be presented.
	2) There are no hard-and-fast rules about what is a
 cliche.  One woman's cliche is often another woman's colorful 
 local idiom.  Also, a cliche that has been out of circulation for 
 a while is no longer a cliche.  My favorite example:  "horny-handed
 son of the soil" (for farmer) would be so new today that it would
 almost certainly be hilariously misinterpreted.
	
	Computers are not good at judgement calls.  
	3) One would *not* usually want the computer to suggest a
 substitution.  Such a substitution would either itself become a
 cliche, or a straightforward phrase (such as "it rained heavily"
 for "it rained cats and dogs") would remove the touch of figurative
 language that the writer was probably striving for.
	
	4) It isn't clear to me whether a previous pass-through for
 grammar would be necessary.  But grammatical permutations will
 increase the dictionary's overhead (rain cats and dogs, will rain 
 c & d, had rained c & d, etc.).
	A previous pass-through to check spelling would be needed,
 though.  The dictionary wouldn't pick up "rian c & d."  It's
 doubtful whether the troika of spelling, grammar and cliche checker
 would flag "rain cat and dog."
	5) It would have to be updated quite often--at least once
 a year.  In this age of electronic media, cliches and catch phrases
 can spread within a week.  Remember "Make my day?"  "Where's the 
 beef?"
	As with the other two electronic tools, a cliche dictionary
 can make atrocious writing much better.  Yet for professional-level
 writing, there can be no substitute for knowledgeable, seasoned
 judgment.  As we all know, the ms will have to be proofed by eye
 and hand afterward anyway.  
 
--- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30 [NR]
---------------