![\"11053904596_49604908bd_k\"](\"https:\/\/world-words.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/11053904596_49604908bd_k.jpg\")
Not a quaff<\/p><\/div>\n
1. Quaff\/Libation<\/b>
\nLook, we see where you\u2019re coming from. You\u2019ve used the word ‘drink’ already and so you\u2019re desperately trying to avoid repetition. And in a way, you\u2019re right; it is good to mix things up. But to pick a word that nobody ever uses in real life is strange. Has anyone ever asked you down to the pub for a quaff or a libation? No? Good. Case closed.<\/p>\n
2. Eatery<\/b>
\nThis falls into the same category as the above. No one uses this term in everyday speech. In fact, no one even says this word aloud. We know you don\u2019t like to keep writing \u2018restaurant\u2019, but ‘eatery’ is simply unacceptable. Instead, try using alternatives that better illustrate what type of restaurant it is, such as \u2018diner\u2019, \u2018caf\u00e9\u2019 or \u2018pizzeria\u2019.<\/p>\n
3. Hostelry<\/b>
\nHere\u2019s another word that frequents written travel content, yet is never, ever used in casual conversation. Avoid.<\/p>\n
4. Je ne sais quoi<\/b>
\nFirst of all, you’re not French. Secondly, writing this phrase is admitting defeat, as there are only two (equally bad) reasons to use it: you don\u2019t know what you are trying to say, or you cannot be bothered to explain it. Try harder.<\/p>\n
5. Melting pot<\/b> A real ‘melting pot’<\/p><\/div>\n 6. Quirky<\/b> 7. Azure\u00a0<\/b> 8. City\/Land of contrasts<\/b> 9. Friendly locals<\/b> 10. Best-kept secret<\/b> There’s no such thing as a ‘best-kept secret’<\/p><\/div>\n 11. World-class<\/b> 12. Step out of your comfort zone<\/b> Are there any other grating travel writing clich\u00e9s that we have overlooked and should add to our list? Let us know on Twitter<\/a>.<\/strong>\u00a0To see how well we heed our sage advice in World Words<\/a>‘ own written travel content, see some of our latest\u00a0projects<\/a>. Alternatively, keep an eye on this blog<\/a>\u00a0for more upcoming travel writing advice. —<\/p>\n Summer Drink<\/a> CC image courtesy of Erin Kohlenberg<\/a>\u00a0via Flickr;\u00a0Melting Pot CCimage courtesy of\u00a0Aimee Custis<\/a> via Flickr; Best-kept secret CC image courtesy of\u00a0jinterwas<\/a> via Flickr;<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Everyone has their personal peccadilloes about travel writing terms like \u2018off the beaten path\u2019 or \u2018sun-drenched\u2019, but individual qualms shouldn’t mean a blanket ban on these phrases. These may be overused clich\u00e9s, but sometimes \u2014 to borrow another particularly well-worn … Continue reading
\nIn written travel content, this phrase is routinely wheeled out to describe anywhere that doesn\u2019t appear to have a completely monocultural, homogenous society. The problem is, these days, that\u2019s most places. So leave it out.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/world-words.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/melting-pot-better.jpg\")
\nQuirky has become a broad catch-all term to describe anyone and anything that is \u2018a bit different\u2019. Different than what exactly? No one knows. All we do know is that this word has become vague and fuzzy through overuse. Where possible, try to be more specific. Describe exactly what<\/i> it is that makes a place or thing so very \u2018quirky\u2019.<\/p>\n
\nAzure isn\u2019t strictly forbidden, as long as it\u2019s used correctly. For example, take the \u2018azure sea\u2019; if it really is azure, then fair enough! But ‘azure\u2019 isn\u2019t simply a straightforward synonym of blue; it actually refers to a specific shade (ask an Italian). It’s unlikely that every single sea you encounter will be azure, so please don’t describe it as such.<\/p>\n
\nDon’t state the obvious. Travel writers bandy this one about as a description, but truth be told, every city is a ‘city of contrasts’. If you managed to find a destination that had absolutely no contrast, that<\/i> would be truly interesting.<\/p>\n
\nFirst of all, if the taxi driver, waiter, hotel receptionist and ticket sales rep are all nice to you, that doesn’t mean the locals are friendly. They may not all be local, and they are certainly all paid employees in the hospitality sector. Secondly, if you do get to know a couple of genuinely friendly locals, always try to remember that these foreign societies are just like your own: multifaceted and comprised of many individuals with varying levels of friendliness.<\/p>\n
\nIs it really a secret? Probably not. It definitely won\u2019t be after you\u2019ve written about it. Drop the clich\u00e9 and try to say what you mean instead, whether that be ‘remote’, ‘secluded’ or ‘quiet’.<\/p>\n![\"There's](\"https:\/\/world-words.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/secret.jpg\")
\nThis is a perfectly good word that has unfortunately become the victim of misuse. It once denoted something truly exceptional and extraordinary: a world-class athlete for example, or a world-class performer. But, now there are world-class slide fasteners, world-class omelettes and even world-class eateries (yes \u2013 that\u2019s a double offender!).<\/p>\n
\nThis implies you know what everyone\u2019s comfort zone is. You don\u2019t.<\/p>\n
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