There’s an old adage that says: ‘those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach’.

Well, in the world of literary criticism, it can some time seem like those who can, write books, and those who can’t, review them instead.

Never more so then when you consider the plethora of worn phrases, trite superlatives and downright clichés that pervade much of newspaper book reviews, as brilliantly lampooned in this video.

It features Washington Post fiction editor Ron Charles poking fun at himself and the world of book reviews by listing all the worst offenders, from ‘it’s at once thrilling – and deeply sobering’ to ‘it’s a rollicking good time!’. Expect to wince.

What other areas of journalism annoy you with over-used phrases?

Is it the ‘incendiary debuts’ of music journalism or the ‘devastating pace’ of sports writers?

Let us know below – we might just learn a thing or two…