Platitudes
I looked up “speaking in platitudes” today. As annoying as they often are I think there is some value to them, mostly from the way they can be used as an indicator to how far one is willing to go with a topic. For example at the end of a long debate about a touchy subject someone might say “what’s done is done” which effectively stops the conversation and can also act as a way to stave off damaging a relationship. If I start a conversation with someone and am immediately struck with a platitude then perhaps I should save my words for someone else who is willing to travel down this particular rabbit hole (or I’m being really annoying and should stop talking).
I definitely find myself using platitudes more and more as I get older. I think the main reasons are my burgeoning apathy and that talking things out often and inevitably leads to a platitude when we run out of things to say. It is what it is, right? Such is the way of the world. Life isn’t fair. Sometimes things just don’t turn out the way you want them to. Maybe instead of using a platitude I’ll start saying “further discussion will have to wait until I can do more research” or I’ll quote Forrest Gump - “that’s all I have to say about that.”
The wiki - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platitude
Funny list of platitudes - http://scottberkun.com/2011/what-are-the-most-annoying-platitudes/
Thought-terminating clichés - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clich%C3%A9#Thought-terminating_clich.C3.A9
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