Precisely what cheesy means is an important consideration for a motivational speaker. It is freely used in contemporary parlance and explanations of what it means are equally free. Some people claim it as an American expression and others think it is part of 'Geek speak'. In fact it is listed in a dictionary published in 1982, before computer jargon was common, as meaning artificial and sincere and probably derived from the artificial grimaces produced for cameras.
Cheese is a tasty morsel, yet the expression derived from it is not complimentary. In the inimitable way of words it suggests something that may be tasty but somehow offensive. The fact that the expression has been used for more than two decades may indicate that people have become more critical in recent times. They may be more adept at sniffing out the sort of insincerity that allowed speakers in previous eras to lead their audiences into wars and destruction.
The ongoing currency of an expression like cheesy might be an indication to speakers that audiences are more alert to pretentiousness and insincerity than they were before the days of TV and mass communication. If a term like cheesy has entered public consciousness, orators should heed the warning.
A word like cheesy has such an indeterminate meaning that it might itself be classed as a cliche. Its original wit has been worn away by frequent use so it no longer represents an original expression. Evidence suggest that people often use it without any clear idea of what they mean, except that they mean to be derogatory.
The use of cliche is such a prominent feature of language use that one may be forgiven for thinking that some politicians would be dumb if they could not use phrases that they have heard before. Language is very much like music and some people like to use cliches as others like to hum familiar tunes. Some politicians may in fact have very little to say that is original, so it is convenient for them to utter phrases that sound vaguely meaningful.
Although cliches do slip unobtrusively into the speech of most people it is possible for a speaker to guard against too many of them by careful preparation. This does not imply learning a speech by rote. Instead a speaker can think in terms of metaphor, of analogies and symbols. These are the fundamentals of original thought. Even ordinary thoughts can seem exciting and fresh when dressed in the fine clothes of metaphor and symbolism.
If cheesy implies insincerity or banality, this may be countered by planning a speech around the genuine needs of the audience. If they are threatened by unemployment and probably insecure a speaker may inspire hope and motivate certain courses of action by using words that inspire security. This might touch on the real needs experienced by members of the audience.
Motivational speakers are engaged in something that used to be called rhetoric and was a compulsory subject in schools. It is a dangerous and potent art that has led whole nations to either victory or disaster. Within living memory Adolf Hitler and Winston Churchill persuaded their followers to actions on opposite sides of a horrendous conflict. The role of the critical audience may be more pronounced in contemporary times which will be good for the world.
Cheese is a tasty morsel, yet the expression derived from it is not complimentary. In the inimitable way of words it suggests something that may be tasty but somehow offensive. The fact that the expression has been used for more than two decades may indicate that people have become more critical in recent times. They may be more adept at sniffing out the sort of insincerity that allowed speakers in previous eras to lead their audiences into wars and destruction.
The ongoing currency of an expression like cheesy might be an indication to speakers that audiences are more alert to pretentiousness and insincerity than they were before the days of TV and mass communication. If a term like cheesy has entered public consciousness, orators should heed the warning.
A word like cheesy has such an indeterminate meaning that it might itself be classed as a cliche. Its original wit has been worn away by frequent use so it no longer represents an original expression. Evidence suggest that people often use it without any clear idea of what they mean, except that they mean to be derogatory.
The use of cliche is such a prominent feature of language use that one may be forgiven for thinking that some politicians would be dumb if they could not use phrases that they have heard before. Language is very much like music and some people like to use cliches as others like to hum familiar tunes. Some politicians may in fact have very little to say that is original, so it is convenient for them to utter phrases that sound vaguely meaningful.
Although cliches do slip unobtrusively into the speech of most people it is possible for a speaker to guard against too many of them by careful preparation. This does not imply learning a speech by rote. Instead a speaker can think in terms of metaphor, of analogies and symbols. These are the fundamentals of original thought. Even ordinary thoughts can seem exciting and fresh when dressed in the fine clothes of metaphor and symbolism.
If cheesy implies insincerity or banality, this may be countered by planning a speech around the genuine needs of the audience. If they are threatened by unemployment and probably insecure a speaker may inspire hope and motivate certain courses of action by using words that inspire security. This might touch on the real needs experienced by members of the audience.
Motivational speakers are engaged in something that used to be called rhetoric and was a compulsory subject in schools. It is a dangerous and potent art that has led whole nations to either victory or disaster. Within living memory Adolf Hitler and Winston Churchill persuaded their followers to actions on opposite sides of a horrendous conflict. The role of the critical audience may be more pronounced in contemporary times which will be good for the world.
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