Hackneyed Expressions

Nothing makes me groan harder than finding a hackneyed expression in something I read, and I go to great lengths to avoid them when I write. I make an exception for dialog since people frequently use these sayings in conversation.

I do, however, enjoy learning about how these sayings developed. Below are explanations for the origins of some of these expressions. I received this as an email that included no information as to the source, so my apologies to the person who produced it.