--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Avoid stock expressions (like the plague…" description: "\"Avoid stock expressions (like the plague, as William Safire used to say) and repetitions. Don't say that as a boy your grandmother used to read to you,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d00/christopher-hitchens-117_boys_avoid-stock-expressions-like-the-plague_2865290.jpg" --- # Avoid stock expressions (like the plague, as William… ![“Avoid stock expressions (like the plague, as William Safire used to say) and repetitions. Don't say that as a boy your grandmother used to read to you, unless at that stage of her life she really was a boy, in which case you have probably thrown away a better intro. If something is worth hearing…” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d00/christopher-hitchens-117_boys_avoid-stock-expressions-like-the-plague_2865290.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d00/christopher-hitchens-117_boys_avoid-stock-expressions-like-the-plague_2865290.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d00/christopher-hitchens-117_boys_avoid-stock-expressions-like-the-plague_2865290.jpg) > “Avoid stock expressions (like the plague, as William Safire used to say) and repetitions. Don't say that as a boy your grandmother used to read to you, unless at that stage of her life she really was a boy, in which case you have probably thrown away a better intro. If something is worth hearing or listening to, it's very probably worth reading. So, this above all: Find your own voice.” [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Originality matters more than mimicking clichés; authentic voice creates lasting impact. **In simple terms:** Be authentic, avoid clichés. Key Takeaway Cultivate your unique perspective. Themes creativity authenticity writing originality Mood reflective inspirational Type advice literary When to use this quote - writing workshops - public speaking - personal essays - content creation Key Concepts voice self‑expression literary style Questions to Reflect On - How can you discover your true voice? - What risks arise from over‑editing? A Different Perspective Originality can be hindered by fear of rejection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better Intro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-intro-3889882/) [Boy Grandmother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boy-grandmother-3889883/) [Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) [Cases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cases/) [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Grandmother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grandmother/) [Hearing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hearing/) [Investing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investing/) [Listening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listening/) [Plague](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plague/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Reading Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading-voice-1457408/) [Repetition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/repetition/) [Say Repetitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/say-repetitions-3889881/) [Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage/) [Thrown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thrown/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) [Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voice/) [Worth reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worth-reading/) [Your grandmother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your-grandmother/) ## Related quotes > [“Don't say that as a boy your grandmother used to read to you, unless at that stage of her life she really was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/don-t-say-that-as-a-boy-your-grandmother-used-to-read-to-you-unless/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [Write something worth reading and your voice will be heard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-mummert/write-something-worth-reading-and-your-voice-will-be-heard/) [Teresa Mummert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-mummert/) > [“She has a nice reading voice, I’ll give her that, even though I suspect that underneath her polished exterior beats a heart of pure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-hand/she-has-a-nice-reading-voice-i-ll-give-her-that-even-though-i-suspect/) [Cynthia Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-hand/) > [Every time you read a poem aloud to yourself in the presence of others, you are reading it into yourself and them. 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