There are certain phrases that, because of the way they were used at some point in the past, should essentially never be used again (unless you really know what you're doing).

The one that most often comes to my mind (because the phrase would otherwise be so useful in titles of political essays and blog posts that I always have trouble coming up with titles for) is "A Modest Proposal," which ever since Swift's essay by that title is as good as shouting "THIS IS SATIRE. DO NOT TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY."

But I'm sure there are other phrases that are similarly unwise to use because of unwanted connotations. (The only other ones I can think of at the moment are mere double entendres.) So I thought it might be well if HW had a thread to collect such phrases (to warn less-widely-read aspiring writers of their dangers) and, of course, discuss the phenomenon. Can anyone else think of some?

*laughs out loud* We just read that essay in my humanities class...

*Has never heard of that essay* Apparently I am a less well-read reader who could gain a lot from this thread!


The only input I would have is that if your title is too similar to any very famous work, people might assume your work is in someway related, which can be a good tool if used properly. (The first thing that came to mind was an Adventures in Odyssey episode "A Christmas Conundrum" and Veggietales` "An Easter Carol." I`m not sure if the first was an allusion to "A Christmas Carol," but I know the second was. )

Indeed; in fact, if one does want an apparently-persuasive essay to be taken as satire, calling it "A Modest Proposal for <something>" is a good way to make that unmistakably clear.

Another similar example, though not a title, is beginning any work with "It was a dark and stormy night."