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Usenet Posted 17 years ago
Usage
Pithy saying
There's a "proper" word for a pithy saying. What is it please?
Top answer
[nq:1]There's a "proper" word for a pithy saying. [/nq] One website suggests "proverb"; another suggests "epigram". The first seems feeble to me; the second is better (and possibly what you're looking for), but I find "pithy saying" quite proper enough, and that's what I'd prefer.
- [nq:1]There's a "proper" word for a pithy saying.
- [/nq] One website suggests "proverb"; another suggests "epigram".
- The first seems feeble to me; the second is better (and possibly what you're looking for), but I find "pithy saying" quite proper enough, and that's what I'd prefer.
- athel
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14 Answers
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[nq:1]There's a "proper" word for a pithy saying. What is it please?[/nq]
One website suggests "proverb"; another suggests "epigram". The first seems feeble to me; the second is better (and possibly what you're looking for), but I find "pithy saying" quite proper enough, and that's what I'd prefer.
athel
One website suggests "proverb"; another suggests "epigram". The first seems feeble to me; the second is better (and possibly what you're looking for), but I find "pithy saying" quite proper enough, and that's what I'd prefer.
athel
00
[nq:2]There's a "proper" word for a pithy saying. What is it please?[/nq]
[nq:1]One website suggests "proverb"; another suggests "epigram". The first seems feeble to me; the second is better (and possibly what you're looking for), but I find "pithy saying" quite proper enough, and that's what I'd prefer.[/nq]
Another possibility is "aphorism". There is also "adage".
Peter Duncanso
[nq:1]One website suggests "proverb"; another suggests "epigram". The first seems feeble to me; the second is better (and possibly what you're looking for), but I find "pithy saying" quite proper enough, and that's what I'd prefer.[/nq]
Another possibility is "aphorism". There is also "adage".
Peter Duncanso
00
[nq:2]One website suggests "proverb"; another suggests "epigram". The first seems ... "pithy saying" quite proper enough, and that's what I'd prefer.[/nq]
[nq:1]Another possibility is "aphorism". There is also "adage".[/nq]
And "gnome", not to be confused with either the chthonian spirit or the kitschy ceramic statue.
Odysseus
[nq:1]Another possibility is "aphorism". There is also "adage".[/nq]
And "gnome", not to be confused with either the chthonian spirit or the kitschy ceramic statue.
Odysseus
00
[nq:1]There's a "proper" word for a pithy saying. What is it please?[/nq]
You might be thinking of "apophthegm" (also spelled "apothegm").
The Concise OED at OneLook has
apophthegm
/***/ (US apothegm)
. noun a concise saying stating a general truth.
- ORIGIN Greek apothegma, from apophthengesthai 'speak out'.
You might be thinking of "apophthegm" (also spelled "apothegm").
The Concise OED at OneLook has
apophthegm
/***/ (US apothegm)
. noun a concise saying stating a general truth.
- ORIGIN Greek apothegma, from apophthengesthai 'speak out'.
00
[nq:1]There's a "proper" word for a pithy saying. What is it please?[/nq]
Depends on one's preferred definition of "pithy", but I vote for "epigram".
Cheers, Harvey
CanEng and BrEng, indiscriminately mixed
Depends on one's preferred definition of "pithy", but I vote for "epigram".
Cheers, Harvey
CanEng and BrEng, indiscriminately mixed
00
[nq:1]There's a "proper" word for a pithy saying. What is it please?[/nq]
Platitude. (Remember all those who have gone before.)
GFH
Platitude. (Remember all those who have gone before.)
GFH
00
[nq:2]There's a "proper" word for a pithy saying. What is it please?[/nq]
[nq:1]Platitude. (Remember all those who have gone before.) GFH[/nq]
I think platitudes gererallyl have very litte pith.
That's probably true about bon mot also
Posters should say where they live, and for which
area they are asking questions. I have lived in
Western Pa. 10 years
Indianap
[nq:1]Platitude. (Remember all those who have gone before.) GFH[/nq]
I think platitudes gererallyl have very litte pith.
That's probably true about bon mot also
Posters should say where they live, and for which
area they are asking questions. I have lived in
Western Pa. 10 years
Indianap
00
[nq:1]http://www.askoxford.com/concise oed/apophthegm?view=uk *There is a vowel after "pp" in the British pronunciation guide that is eliminated when I copy and paste through Notepad: it resembles an "e" rotated 180 degrees and represents the unstressed vowel of "apathy".[/nq]
It's usually called a "schwa" (borrowed
It's usually called a "schwa" (borrowed
00
[nq:2]Another possibility is "aphorism". There is also "adage".[/nq]
[nq:1]And "gnome",[/nq]
Oh yes! Do you pronounce the 'e' on the end?
[nq:1]not to be confused with either the chthonian spirit or the kitschy ceramic statue. Odysseus[/nq]
Which of the seven heavens / Was responsible her smile / Wouldn't be sure but attested / That, whoever it was, a *** / Worth kneeling-to for a
[nq:1]And "gnome",[/nq]
Oh yes! Do you pronounce the 'e' on the end?
[nq:1]not to be confused with either the chthonian spirit or the kitschy ceramic statue. Odysseus[/nq]
Which of the seven heavens / Was responsible her smile / Wouldn't be sure but attested / That, whoever it was, a *** / Worth kneeling-to for a
00
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