Clichés

Below is a list of clichés, hackneyed phrases and overused descriptive terms that we’d prefer Lonely Planet contributors avoid. We recognise that on rare occasions some of these words or phrases make sense to use in context, but please use very sparingly when this is the case. Always think about your choice of language and try to describe things in as fresh and original a way as possible. Please note, these lists are by no means exhaustive.

Clichés

• A land/city of contrasts 

• A place like no other

• Back in time

• Best/worst-kept secret

• Bustling hub

• Dizzying array/selection (typically overused in high-altitude destinations)

• East meets West

• Hidden gem

• Jewel/diamond in the crown/rough

• Like XX on drugs

• Love it or hate it

• Melting-pot city

• Hip young things

• Hot spot[s]

• More X and X than you can shake an X at...eg more fine dining and culinary culture than you can shake a baked baguette at

• Nothing else like it

• Old meets new

• Something for everyone/every kind of traveller

• Steeped in history

• Youthful energy

• XX of the XX (ie Paris of the Middle East)

• ...and more (usually used at the end of an already boring list of generic features, eg "a boardwalk, trails, picnic tables, interpretive signs, and more.")

Hackneyed/Misused Phrases

• All (to describe decor; eg ‘all dark wood and lush greens’)

• Awe-inspiring

• Declared a UNESCO site in … (Please indicate why the site was listed/is special)

• Dusty

• Eatery (please use only to avoid repetition of ‘restaurant’ or ‘cafe’ etc in same para/review and not as a general replacement for proper term of food outlet)

• Eclectic

• Ever- (eg ever-friendly, ever-changing; don’t overuse)

• Faceplant (meaning to eat or drink)

• Fashionista

• Friendly (often overused in sleeping reviews)

• Gob-smacking

• Groovy, funky, nifty (all potentially lost on readers under 60)

• Haven

• Hipster

• Historical (how old is it, what style; only use if something is genuinely a mix of too many periods)

• Indulge (difficult to judge what counts as an indulgence to the reader)

• Interesting (why is it interesting?)

• Instagram-worthy

• Jaw-dropping

• Lip-smacking

• Littered with

• Locals (try not to generalise for large regions eg ‘Middle Eastern locals sip tea ...’)

• Lofty peak/height

• Mecca (except for the real Mecca)

• Myriad of

• Nestled

• Nice (what makes it nice?)

• Of the XX variety (eg of the salad and sandwiches variety)

• Ogle ('you can ogle the Eiffel Tower' -- incorrect use of the word)

• Offers / boasts (estate agent listings only please)

• Peppered with

• Replete with

• Serves up

• Sleepy

• Smiling locals (colonialist term)

• Think XX (eg ‘It has perfect Caribbean beaches (think white sand and azure water)’

• Timeless

• Trendy

• Tucked away (don’t overuse)

• Vibes (don’t overuse)

• Watering hole

• Unique (unless it really is)

• Vista

• XX-cum-XX

• You won’t go hungry in X