old saw
Tired folk wisdom
An old saw is a familiar saying or proverb, usually one repeated so often it has become trite: My grandfather loved to quote old saws about hard work and early rising.
The saw here is an archaic word for saying, unrelated to the cutting tool.
proverb
Traditional pithy truth
- maximBrief moral principle
- sayingShort, wise expression
- aphorismTerse general truth
- dictumAuthoritative formal statement
axiom · truism · precept · epigram · apothegm · gnome · byword · motto
cliché
Trite, overused remark
- bromideOverused phrase or chemical
- chestnutOverused joke or edible nut
- banalityTiresome lack of originality
- tired expressionPhrase dulled by repetition
adage
Traditional pithy truth
dictum · axiom · truism · precept · epigram · apothegm · gnome · byword · motto · homily
platitude
Trite, overused remark
originality/freshness
old saworiginal thought
Idea without precedent
fresh perspective · fresh take · neologism · coinage · virgin territory