Saying

A saying is any concise expression that is especially memorable because of its meaning or style. A saying often shows a wisdom or cultural standard, having different meanings than just the words themselves.^[1] Sayings are categorized as follows:

Aphorism: a general, observational truth; "a pithy expression of wisdom or truth".^[2]
- 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.'"^[3]
Axiom: a proposition that commends itself to general acceptance; a well-established or universally conceded principle; a maxim, rule, or law.^[4]
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.'"^[3]
- 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.

^ "Cambridge Dictionary". Cambridge Dictionary. 14 October 2024.
^ 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

[1] "Cambridge Dictionary". Cambridge Dictionary. 14 October 2024.

[2] 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-3] Rovin, Jeff (1994). What's the Difference? A Compendium of Commonly Confused and Misused Words. New York: Ballantine Books.

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

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