Ever wondered what a writer isn’t supposed to say? Check out this list of oft over-used turns of phrase that have been banned by one of the publications I work with. If the stuff you're reading (or writing) is full of these, it’s time to up your game...
- foodie
- xx-lover’s (eg, art-lover’s / food-lover’s etc)
- referring to people as if they’re defined by one things (‘Urbanites will love…’)
- referring to the reader as a potential tourist (‘Visitors will find…’)
- referring to travellers (‘Most travellers bypass…’) and travel generally
- quirky
- an XX for all the senses
- an assault on the senses
- must-see
- xx's paradise (eg, shopper's paradise)
- trendy/funky
- on-trend
- we're loving...
- XX has it all
- a XX of contrasts
- eye-opening
- oh-so
- spurious references to celebrities
- alliteration
- indulge in a spot of... (eg, pampering)
- good for the… (eg, soul/waistline)
- mouthwatering
- awe-inspiring
- an XX to remember
- fresh (as in ‘fresh fish’ – also ‘comfy’ beds and ‘spotless’ bathrooms: why would we include them if they weren’t?)
- referring to food as ‘tasty’ (you’d hope it would be)
- treat
- gem (particularly ‘hidden gem’)
- boasts… (if the thing doing the boasting is an inanimate object, eg ‘the hotel boasts a pool and spa’)
- ooze (eg, ‘the hotel oozes charm’)
- award-winning (meaningless on its own – and not that helpful unless it’s a widely-known and prestigious award)
- fare (instead of food)
- achingly (hip/pretty etc)
- culture vulture
- The place (for XX or to be seen etc)
- chic, when used excessively (shabby-chic, boutique-chic etc)
- adrenaline junky
- referring to crowds/scenes/type (‘the arty crowd’)
- default adjectives (eg, ‘lush’ for any type of verdant landscape; ‘sleek’ for modern interiors/architecture; ‘cosy’ for bedrooms or pubs, ‘bustling’ for market etc)
- airy (as in ‘light and airy rooms’)
- Think… (when asking a reader to imagine a place)
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