Sayings, wives tales, nursery rhymes, and idioms. These catchy one liners that we are raised on, can often guide behaviours all throughout our lives. Whether that be consciously or unconsciously. Moreover, many of these age-old metaphors have become so far removed from their original meaning. Leaving the lot us following Chinese whispers.
With a large swathe of these sayings relying on wordplay to convey their intended message. The shifting definitions and usage of words, can result in the change of that saying’s message. Then pair this with the shortening of sayings over time, removing seemingly insignificant words, but incidentally changing the entire meaning.
We are told not to judge a book by its cover, but we certainly make purchasing decisions based on them. Which of course brings us back to the shift in the meaning of idioms from generation to generation. With modern communication constantly becoming shorter and more direct. Double meanings and figurative speech can often be taken literally, at face value. This is not to attribute the blame of the move toward a more direct use of the english language with laziness. It has just as much to do with the translation of our vocabulary to modern technology, and the result of a global world where many people speak several languages.
In the case of not judging a book by its cover. Books themselves are irrelevant, the idiom is of course referring to people. Except, the literal use of this idiom is now widespread. Perusing the bookstore, we have internalised a barrier which prevents us from choosing a book solely on the strength of its cover. I fear the ignorance toward wordplay, has created an excuse used to get away with lazy graphic design. Design matters, and that age-old adage has now been misappropriated.
Of course, this is not the only saying that has lost its nuance with the passing of time. I simply chose it as my example, because its misuse has stifled and influenced our purchasing choices. Having us second guess the reason we are drawn to a book. Should we be ashamed if we largely made up our mind to buy a book, because of the strength of its cover?
Is this traditional idiom, preventing us from rewarding aesthetic typefaces or striking imagery?
I am in no way suggesting you make your next literary purchase on the merit of the cover alone, but make a concerted effort to notice which covers your eyes are drawn to. Reward the designer by picking it up and reading the blurb.
Don’t judge a book by its cover, unless that cover is rubbish.