Synonyms

A synonym is supposed to be any word that means the same as

another word. But I dont think there is any such thing. I dont
believe that kind of synonym exists.
Okay, I need to qualify that assertion. Technically, a synonym is a
word or phrase that has a meaning the same as, or very close to,
that of another word or phrase. So if your definition of a synonym
includes words with similar meanings, then yes, I believe in
synonyms.
But when you consider the meaning of a word, you need to consider
both its denotation and its connotation. The denotation is the
primary, literal meaning of a word. The connotation is the suggested
or implied meaning of a word. Connotations usually come from
experience or associations. Seeing a word used repeatedly in certain
contexts gives the word a different color than it gets in the
dictionary.
Connotations may even have accidental origins. Simply because one
word looks like another word or shares the same syllable, even if
technically the two words arent related, we tend to associate them
together. For me, amazement carries some of the connotation of
magic, partly because of its second syllable. And the sound of a word
unconsciously influences its connotation. The word disgust would be
a weaker word without the coughing, gagging g, the hissing,
sneering s, and the spitting t.
Because I believe strongly in connotations, I dont believe in
synonyms. Because every word has a unique connotation, no word
has exactly the same meaning as another. For example, the Random
House Unabridged Dictionary uses as examples of synonyms the
words joyful, elated, glad. But each of those three words has a
different connotation! To me, joyful connotes Christmas (Joy to the
World), a deep sense of happiness. The word glad carries a
connotation of satisfaction. Elated, from the Latin word elatus or
raised, has the more extreme connotation of excitement.

Each of those three words would be used in different situations or

contexts. For example, when a friend admits that he got to the
county park quicker when he followed your directions rather than
his, you might simply say, Im glad that you agree with me. But if
you said, Im elated that you agree with me, it would imply greater
sarcasm. And you would never say, Im joyful that you agree with
me, because you wouldnt feel a deep sense of happiness over
something so unimportant. And do you know what? If you check the
dictionary, joy, elated, and glad all have slightly different
denotations too.
As I said, you can only learn the connotation of words by reading (a
lot) and through experience. But your writing becomes incalculably
more effective when you use the right word, instead of picking any
word that seems to be a synonym.

25 Synonyms for Beginner

There are a lot of terms used to identify a beginner many of them
condescending or derogatory, so pay attention to connotation before
employing any of these synonyms:
1. Abecedarian (from the Latin term abecedarius, of the alphabet,
coined from linking the first four letters of the alphabet with vowels
to form a pronounceable word): One in the early stages of learning.
2. Amateur (from the Latin term amator, lover): Someone who
engages in an area of skill or expertise without remuneration, or,
derogatorily, a person without experience or ability.
3. Apprentice (from the Latin term apprendere, to learn): One in
the midst of hands-on training; originally denoting someone bound
by a contract to train with a craftsperson, but now employed simply
to refer to someone inexperienced. The term is used in a naval
enlisted rank (seaman apprentice) and for the lowest level in
Freemasonry (entered apprentice).

4. Babe (from the Middle English word coined in imitation of baby

talk): An inexperienced person, with a condescending connotation of
naivete.
5. Boot (from Anglo-French bote, boot): A US Navy or US Marine
Corps recruit, perhaps from boot camp). Condescending.
6. Colt (from the Old English term for a young horse): A young,
inexperienced person. Condescending.
7. Cub (from the word for a young animal): A young, inexperienced
person, as in the expression cub reporter, referring to a new
journalist. Condescending.
8. Fledgling (ultimately from Old English fleogan, to fly):
Originally, use was confined to the literal meaning of a young bird
just learning to fly; now, it is also a rare informal, condescending
term for a young, inexperienced person (and is used to refer to a
new enterprise).
9. Freshman (derived from fresh, as in new to a situation, and
man): Originally referred only to a first-year student; now also
denotes a politician or an athlete at the beginning of their career.
10. Greenhorn (from an obsolete English word referring to the new
horns of a young horned mammal): Refers not only to a naive,
inexperienced person but also to someone unfamiliar with customs
or procedures. Condescending.
11. Layperson (from the Latin term laikos, of the people): A nongender-specific variation of layman, originally denoting someone
who is not a member of the clergy but now a general reference to
someone who is not part of a particular profession or does not have
expertise in a given subject matter.
12. Neophyte (from the Latin term neophytus, newly planted or
newly converted, from the Greek word neophytos): A beginner or
a convert. Mildly condescending.

13. Newbie (a diminutive noun derived from new): A person new to

a place or situation, especially one unfamiliar with the conventions
and etiquette of online interaction; a newer diminutive of this slang
term is noob (or n00b, using zeros instead of the letter o, a variation
often used in online conversation). Condescending or even
derogatory.
14. Newcomer (a compound noun formed from new and come):
Originally, one newly arrived to a location, but now a beginner in
general.
15. Novice (from the Latin term novicius, newly imported):
Originally, a probationary member of a religious organization, now
generally someone with rudimentary skills. Depending on context,
can be condescending.
16. Novitiate (see novice, above): A variation of novice, as well as a
word for the condition of being a clerical novice, or the name of their
residence.
17. Proselyte (from the Latin term proselytus, foreign resident,
derived from the Greek word proselytos): A recent convert.
18. Probationer (from the Latin term probare, approve): Someone
in the process of learning.
19. Punk (origin obscure): A young, inexperienced person, though it
also has connotations pertaining to punk subculture and to
sexuality. Derogatory.
20. Recruit (from the French term recrute, derived from recroistere,
to grow up again): A newcomer; often used in a military or similar
context. The term is used in the lowest naval enlisted rank (seaman
recruit). Depending on context, can be condescending.
21. Rookie (uncertain; perhaps derived from recruit): One in his or
her first year or years of experience, originally in the context of

professional sports but now general in usage. (The back-formation

rook is rare.) Depending on context, can be condescending.
22. Tenderfoot (a combination of tender and foot): Originally,
someone new to a frontier area, unused to hardship; in the modern
sense, a beginner. Condescending.
23. Trainee (from the Latin term traginare, to draw or to train):
One learning a job or skill.
24. Tyro (from the Latin term tiro, young soldier): An
inexperienced person.
25. Virgin (from the Latin term virgo, young woman, virgin):
Originally a specific reference to a female with no sexual experience,
now used lightheartedly to refer to someone new to a situation.

75 Synonyms for Talk

Talk, talk, talk its all the same. Or is it? There are many ways to
talk, and each has its own word (or words) for it. Heres a
noncomprehensive roster of many synonyms for the noun and verb
forms of talk
1. Babble: enthusiastic or excessive talk, or meaningless sounds or
nonsense words; to talk in this manner
2. Back talk: a disrespectful response; to respond disrespectfully
3. Backchat: see back talk, badinage, and gossip
4. Badinage: light, witty talk
5. Banter: see badinage, with a connotation of good-natured teasing
or arguing; to engage in such talk
6. Barb: a hurtful and/or critical comment
7. Blandish: see cajole
8. Blandishments: see cajolery/cajolement
9. Blarney: nonsensical talk
10. Bluster: boastful or threatening talk; to speak boastfully or
threateningly
11. Cackle: see chatter (verb only)

12. Cajole: to persuade with soothing or flattering remarks

13-14. Cajolery/cajolement: talk with the intent to persuade
15. Causerie: see chat (noun only)
16. Chaff: see badinage; also, to tease good-naturedly
17. Chat: an idle or inconsequential conversation; to engage in such
talk
18. Chatter: quick, extensive, and/or aimless talk; to talk in such a
manner
19. Chin music: see chat (noun only)
20. Chinwag: informal talking; to talk informally
21. Chitchat: see badinage
22. Circumlocution: evasive or verbose talk
23. Comment: an opinion or observation; to say something of this
type
24. Confab: see chat (also, a formal meeting)
25. Confabulation: see chat and confab (also, something made up)
26. Confer: to exchange opinions or seek advice
27. Conference: a meeting, or an event consisting of presentations
and/or meetings
28. Confess: to admit to a thought or action considered improper or
shameful
29. Conversation: a talk between or among two or more people
30. Converse: to speak back and forth with one or more people
31. Crack: an uncomplimentary comment; also, to quickly say
something, as when spontaneously telling a joke pertinent to a
situation
32. Dig: see crack
33. Discuss: to engage in serious talk
34. Discussion: a serious talk
35. Dish: see gossip
36. Double-talk: intentionally confusing or ambiguous language, or
talk that is at least partially meaningless; to engage in such talk
37. Fast-talk: to persuade or influence by deceptively authoritative
and/or flattering speech
38. Flibbertigibbet: see gossip
39. Gab: see chatter
40. Gabfest: talking consisting of gab
41. Give-and-take: an exchange of ideas or comments

42. Gossip: see chat, with an additional connotation of talk or talking

about the personal lives of one or more other people (also, someone
who engages in such talk)
43. Jangle: see chat
44. Jaw: see chat
45. Jest: a humorous or mocking statement; to make such a
statement
46. Natter: see chat
47. Negotiate: to talk in order to reach an agreement
48. Negotiation: a talk in which the speakers seek to reach an
agreement
49. Palaver: a discussion or conference, especially one between
unequal participants, or deceptive speech, or see chat; to talk idly,
try to persuade or deceive, or come to terms
50. Parley: see confer, with the possible connotation of talk between
antagonists to agree to terms to cease hostilities; to engage in such
talk
51. Patter: quick or monotonous speech, as in delivering a humorous
speech or in rote delivery of prayers; to speak in this manner
52. Pillow talk: romantic talk, such as would be engaged in while the
speakers are in bed
53. Pleasantry: polite, inconsequential talk, or see banter and jest
(nouns only)
54. Quip: a spontaneous observation or response; to say something
of this type
55. Raillery: see banter and jest
56. Rap: see chat and patter
57-58. Recital/recitation: public delivery of read or memorized
material, or of details or answers
59. Recite: to deliver read or memorized material, or details or
answers
60. Remark: a statement of judgment or opinion, or a reference to
something notable; to comment in this manner
61. Repartee: an exchange of clever, witty statements, a single such
response, or skill in talking in this manner
62. Schmooze: see chat, with the connotation of one conducted so as
to gain personal or professional advantage; to talk in this manner
63. Small talk: see badinage

64. Spit: to talk about things or opinions a listener disagrees with or

disapproves of
65. Straight talk: frank, straightforward talk
66. Sweet nothings: flattering talk intended to charm a potential or
existing romantic partner
67. Sweet talk: talk intended to persuade, or to endear oneself to the
speaker; to engage in this kind of talk (the verb form is hyphenated)
68. Table talk: informal talking such as that heard during a dinner
party
69. Tete-a-tete: an intimate or private talk
70. Waggery: see banter and jest
71. Wisecrack: a clever or sarcastic comment; to make such a
comment
72. Wordplay: witty, playful talk
73. Yack: to talk at length
74. Yammer: to talk relentlessly, or to complain
75. Yap: excessive talk (also, slang for mouth)

55 Synonyms for Criticize

One of lifes great pleasures is the opportunity to criticize others, so
it shouldnt surprise you that the verb criticize has a rich repository
of synonyms that offers so many options for expressing your low
opinions of people or their words or deeds.
The list below into four general categories. Generally, only the first
features words with distinct connotations, which Ive included; the
others are fairly interchangeable within each category, and even
across categories.
Words Expressing Disapproval
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Admonish: to give gentle, earnest advice

Censure: to condemn with formal disciplinary action
Chasten: to discipline or restrain
Chastise: to communicate severe disappointment
Chide: to offer mild constructive criticism
Condemn: to criticize wrongdoing

7. Decry: to communicate strong disapproval

8. Denounce: to target someone for disapproval, usually publicly
9. Dispraise: to publicly criticize
10. Excoriate: to indicate scathing disapproval
11. Fault: to blame
12. Fulminate: to publicly criticize
13. Lambaste: to attack verbally
14. Reprehend: to voice criticism
15. Reproach: to communicate disappointment
16. Upbraid: to offer severe criticism
17. Vituperate: to abusively criticize
Words Expressing Disparagement
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.

Belittle
Cry down
Denigrate
Depreciate
Derogate
Knock
Poor-mouth
Run down
Talk down
Vilipend

Words Expressing Severe Criticism

28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.

Bad-mouth
Castigate
Flay
Hammer
Lace (into)
Lay (into)
Pan (especially to criticize a performance or a proposal)
Slag

Words Expressing Reprimand or Scolding

36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.

Bawl out
Berate
Call down (another meaning is to invite or entreat)
Chew out
Dress down
Harangue
Jaw
Keelhaul
Lecture
Rag
Rail (against)
Rant
Rate
Ream (or ream out)
Rebuke
Reprove
Score
Tongue-lash

54-55. Two additional words used only in their noun form are
commination (denunciation) and objurgation (a harsh rebuke).
Many other words such as assail and scathe can be suitable
depending on the context but have senses closer to attack than
criticize.

25 Synonyms for Expression

Many words can be employed to refer to an expression. Most, as
youll see, are true synonyms of one or more others, but a few have
specific (and sometimes unique) connotations. Here are the
synonyms and their senses:
1. Adage (from the Latin adagium, proverb) An often
metaphorical observation: The early bird gets the worm.
2. Aphorism (from the Greek aphorismos, definition) A principle
concisely stated: Less is more.

3. Apothegm (from Greek apophthegma, derived from

apophthengesthai, to speak out) An instructive comment:
Cleanliness is next to godliness.
4. Banality (from the French banal, commonplace) A trite
comment: You get what you pay for.
5. Bromide (from the word for a compound, made in part from the
element bromine, used as a sedative) A hackneyed statement:
We have to work together.
6. Byword A proverb, or a frequently used word or phrase: You
can get more flies with honey than with vinegar.
7. Chestnut (from the Greek kastanea, chestnut) A stale saying
or story: Theres no such thing as a free lunch.
8. Clich (from the French word for stereotype) An overly
familiar expression: Keep the faith (or an overdone theme, like
moviedoms manic pixie dream girl).
9. Commonplace (from the Latin locus communis, widely applicable
argument) An obvious but often tiresome or unfortunate
comment: What goes around comes around (or a trite phenomena,
such as drivers sending text messages).
10. Epigram (from the Greek epigramma, derived from epigraphein,
to write on) A concise and wise and/or clever saying: Time is
money.
11. Homily (from the Latin homilia, conversation) a catchphrase
(or sermon) meant to inspire: To err is human; to forgive divine.
12. Maxim (from the Latin maxima, the superlative of magnus,
large) A rule or principle: A watched pot never boils.

13. Moral (from the Latin moralis, custom) The lesson of an

instructive story: Be satisfied with what you have.
14. Motto (from the Latin muttire, mutter) A statement of a
principle: Be prepared.
15. Platitude (from the French plat, dull) A banal remark:
Blondes have more fun.
16. Precept (from the Latin praeceptum, something taken before)
A statement of a rule: Thou shalt not kill.
17. Principle (from the Latin principium, beginning) A law or
rule of conduct: It is better to give than to receive.
18. Proverb (from the Latin proverbium, from pro-, for or to, and
verbum, word) A direct synonym for adage, byword, epigram,
and maxim.
19. Saw (from the Old English sagu, discourse) A maxim or
proverb, often referred to with some condescension: Youve heard
that old saw about how to get healthy, wealthy, and wise.
20. Saying An adage: Let sleeping dogs lie.
21. Sententia (from the Latin word for feeling, opinion) A brief
expression of a principle: To thine own self be true.
22. Shibboleth (from the Hebrew word for stream, described in the
Bible as a word used, by its pronunciation, to distinguish speakers of
one region for another) A widely held belief: Time heals all
wounds.
23. Slogan (from Scottish Gaelic sluagh-ghairm, war cry) A
statement of a position or goal: Say what you mean, and mean
what you say (or an advertising statement: We will not be
undersold!).

24. Trope (from Latin tropos, turn, way, manner, style) A

common figure of speech: Not that theres anything wrong with
that (or a trite theme, as the climactic duel in a western movie).
25. Truism An obvious truth: You cant win them all.

50 Idioms About Talking

This list expands on that theme by offering set phrases about talking
and their meaning:
1. Beat (ones) gums: to speak excessively and aimlessly
2. Bull session: a rambling group conversation
3. Chew the fat: to chat
4. Chew the rag: to chat
5. Diarrhea of the mouth: excessive talking
6. Dish out: to deliver critical comments
7. Flap (ones) lips: see beat (ones) gums
8. Gift of gab: a propensity for talking
9. (One) likes hear (oneself) talk: said of someone who is egotistical
10. Like talking to a brick wall: said of trying unsuccessfully to
persuade or reason with someone
11. Run off at the mouth: see beat (ones) gums
12. Shoot the breeze: to chat
13. Shoot the bull: to chat
14. Shoot the shit: to chat
15. Spill the beans: to divulge information, or to confess (see
confess)
16. Speak out of turn: to say something inappropriate
17. Speak the same language: to be in agreement
18. Spit it out: to speak about something one is reluctant to discuss
often used as an imperative
19. Talk a blue streak: to talk quickly and excessively
20. Talk a mile a minute: to speak rapidly
21. Talk around: to avoid (a subject)
22. Talk big: to brag

23. Talk dirty: to try to stimulate someone sexually by speaking

provocatively
24. Talk (someone) down: to outdebate someone, guide someone
through a difficult maneuver (especially a pilot flying a plane), or to
successfully bargain for a better price
25. Talk down to: to speak condescendingly
26. Talk (ones) ear off: to talk to someone excessively
27. Talk (ones) head off: to talk excessively
28. Talk in circles: to speak in a confusing or indirect manner
29. Talk in riddles: to speak obscurely or with hints
30. Talk (one) into: to persuade someone
31. Talk on: to continue to speak, or to speak on a certain topic
32. Talk (oneself) out: to speak to the point of exhaustion
33. Talk (one) out of: to dissuade someone
34. Talk out of both sides of (ones) mouth: to speak inconsistently
about something depending on who one is talking to
35. Talk (something) out: to talk about something to reach a
consensus or understanding
36. Talk (something) over: see talk (something) out
37. Talk sense: to speak reasonably
38. Talk shop: to speak about work-related issues outside the work
environment
39. Talk some sense into: to talk to someone to persuade them to
see reason
40. Talk the talk: to speak as if one is an authority or adheres to
certain beliefs or values
41. Talk the talk and walk the walk: to act in accord with ones
stated beliefs or values
42. Talk through: to talk about something thoroughly to achieve a
resolution
43. Talk through ones hat: to speak insincerely, to talk nonsense, or
to exaggerate
44. Talk to hear (ones) own voice: to talk excessively, in an
egotistical manner
45. Talk tough: to speak in an intimidating manner, or to bluster
46. Talk turkey: to speak frankly and/or with resolve
47. Talk until (one) is blue in the face: to speak exhaustively,
especially in an unsuccessful effort to persuade

48. Talk (something) up: to promote something to draw attention to

it
49. Talk (ones) way out of: to say something so as to evade blame
or avoid responsibility
50: You should talk: an admonition to avoid expressing oneself
hypocritically

75 Synonyms for Angry

Are you angry? At the risk of infuriating you, or making you
apoplectic or exasperated, here are dozens of words to use to
describe your choleric condition more precisely:
1. Acrid: extremely harsh (also refers to an unpleasant taste or
smell)
2. Acrimonious: harshly unpleasant
3. Aggravated: angrily agitated
4. Angered: made angry
5. Annoyed: angry about being disturbed or harassed
6. Antagonistic: angrily opposed
7. Antipathetic: expressing antipathy, or aggression or aversion
8. Apoplectic: violently angry, from the adjectival form of apoplexy,
the former word for stroke
9. Ballistic: explosively angry, from the adjective describing
projectile flight
10. Bellicose: aggressively angry, from the synonym for warlike
11. Belligerent: see bellicose
12. Bitter: harshly upset due to resentment
13. Blue in the face: see frustrated, from the idea of facial
discoloration caused by extreme emotion
14. Boiling: extremely angry, with the figurative sense of being
agitated like heated water
15. Bristling: defensively angry, suggestive of an animals hair
bristling as it responds to a threat
16. Burning: extremely angry, from the notion of the body
overheating because of the intensity of feeling
17. Caustic: cruelly angry, or sarcastic

18. Cheesed off: see frustrated (can also mean bored or

disgusted)
19. Choleric: easily angered
20. Churlish: disrespectfully angry
21. Cold: angry in an emotionally remote manner
22. Contrary: uncooperatively angry
23. Cool: angry but with emotions are held in check
24. Embittered: made upset
25. Enraged: violently angry
26. Exasperated: see frustrated
27. Fired up: see hot
28. Fit to be tied: extremely angry, suggesting that the person
angered should be restrained
29. Foaming: so angry as to suggest insanity caused by hydrophobia
(rabies), from the idea that foaming at the mouth is symptomatic of
the disease
30. Frustrated: angry or upset because of obstacles or challenges
31. Fuming: extremely angry, from the association of the person
with a volcano or other heated natural phenomenon
32. Furious: intensely angry
33. Going crook: losing ones temper
34. Hopping: so angry as to suggest that the person might jump up
and down to express or assuage anger
35. Hopping mad: see hopping
36. Horn-mad: extremely angry
37. Hostile: actively intimidating, unfriendly, or resistant
38. Hot: angry, with the sense of physical discomfort caused by
emotion
39. Hot under the collar: see hot
40. Icy: see cold
41. Incensed: see indignant
42. Indignant: angry because of a real or perceived slight or unjust
attack
43. Inflamed: see hot
44. Infuriated: see furious
45. Irate: see furious
46. Ireful: see irate

47. Livid: intensely angry to the point of being unable to control

oneself (livid, however, can also mean bruised, pale, or
colorful, with the second sense associated with pain, shock, or
fear)
48. Mad: angry; this term has so many other senses and is so easily
replaced by any of its many synonyms that it is all but useless
except in a statement starting with Im so mad I could . . .
49. Outraged: angry about an offense
50: Perturbed: upset (also means confused)
51. Pissed off: angry
52. Rabid: see foaming
53: Raging: see furious
54. Rancorous: malevolently angry
55. Rankled: angry or resentful
56. Ranting: irrationally angry
57. Raving: see ranting
58. Riled: upset
59. Roiled: see riled
60: Seeing red: so angry that ones vision is blurred, or one is
stimulated as a bull in a bullfight
61. Seething: repressing violent anger
62. Shirty: angry
63. Smoldering: see seething
64. Sore: see indignant
65. Soreheaded: see indignant
66. Steamed: see hot
67. Steaming: see hot
68: Storming: having a temper or an anger suggestive of stormy
weather
69. Stormy: see storming
70. Ticked: angry; also ticked off
71. Vitriolic: see caustic
72. Worked up: upset
73. Wrathful: see furious
74. Wroth: see furious
75. Wrought up: see worked up

(This list deliberately omits annoyed and its synonyms, which are
numerous enough to merit their own list.)

25 Synonyms for Expression

Many words can be employed to refer to an expression. Most, as
youll see, are true synonyms of one or more others, but a few have
specific (and sometimes unique) connotations. Here are the
synonyms and their senses:
1. Adage (from the Latin adagium, proverb) An often
metaphorical observation: The early bird gets the worm.
2. Aphorism (from the Greek aphorismos, definition) A principle
concisely stated: Less is more.
3. Apothegm (from Greek apophthegma, derived from
apophthengesthai, to speak out) An instructive comment:
Cleanliness is next to godliness.
4. Banality (from the French banal, commonplace) A trite
comment: You get what you pay for.
5. Bromide (from the word for a compound, made in part from the
element bromine, used as a sedative) A hackneyed statement:
We have to work together.
6. Byword A proverb, or a frequently used word or phrase: You
can get more flies with honey than with vinegar.
7. Chestnut (from the Greek kastanea, chestnut) A stale saying
or story: Theres no such thing as a free lunch.
8. Clich (from the French word for stereotype) An overly
familiar expression: Keep the faith (or an overdone theme, like
moviedoms manic pixie dream girl).

9. Commonplace (from the Latin locus communis, widely applicable

argument) An obvious but often tiresome or unfortunate
comment: What goes around comes around (or a trite phenomena,
such as drivers sending text messages).
10. Epigram (from the Greek epigramma, derived from epigraphein,
to write on) A concise and wise and/or clever saying: Time is
money.
11. Homily (from the Latin homilia, conversation) a catchphrase
(or sermon) meant to inspire: To err is human; to forgive divine.
12. Maxim (from the Latin maxima, the superlative of magnus,
large) A rule or principle: A watched pot never boils.
13. Moral (from the Latin moralis, custom) The lesson of an
instructive story: Be satisfied with what you have.
14. Motto (from the Latin muttire, mutter) A statement of a
principle: Be prepared.
15. Platitude (from the French plat, dull) A banal remark:
Blondes have more fun.
16. Precept (from the Latin praeceptum, something taken before)
A statement of a rule: Thou shalt not kill.
17. Principle (from the Latin principium, beginning) A law or
rule of conduct: It is better to give than to receive.
18. Proverb (from the Latin proverbium, from pro-, for or to, and
verbum, word) A direct synonym for adage, byword, epigram,
and maxim.
19. Saw (from the Old English sagu, discourse) A maxim or
proverb, often referred to with some condescension: Youve heard
that old saw about how to get healthy, wealthy, and wise.

20. Saying An adage: Let sleeping dogs lie.

21. Sententia (from the Latin word for feeling, opinion) A brief
expression of a principle: To thine own self be true.
22. Shibboleth (from the Hebrew word for stream, described in the
Bible as a word used, by its pronunciation, to distinguish speakers of
one region for another) A widely held belief: Time heals all
wounds.
23. Slogan (from Scottish Gaelic sluagh-ghairm, war cry) A
statement of a position or goal: Say what you mean, and mean
what you say (or an advertising statement: We will not be
undersold!).
24. Trope (from Latin tropos, turn, way, manner, style) A
common figure of speech: Not that theres anything wrong with
that (or a trite theme, as the climactic duel in a western movie).
25. Truism An obvious truth: You cant win them all.