Word abuse: runs the gamut

British guy #1: "Say old chap, how's about another round of word doo doo?"

British guy #2: "Oi matey, let's have a go!"

British guy #1: "'Cheerio. 'Runs the gamut' is an evil cliche habitually molested by Yankee music journalists to suggest the range of genres a band infuses into its sound. It's a rather tired, awkward turn of phrase that should have been Rippered by Jack by now - but it inexplicably thrives, even in otherwise respectable publications.

It's hard to avert your eyes from this bloodbath:"

"The Oakland group’s debut EP runs the gamut from upbeat, danceable pop-rock (think new Brit rock/pop invasion without the attitude) to catchy punk (like a slightly softer version of The Vandals or Bad Religion) to languid, lamenting rock."

"Hardly old timey, but not jarringly revisionist, 'Sodajerk 2' runs the gamut of country hybrids"

"The range of influences among the five members of the band runs the gamut from classic rock to modern rock and even country."

"Here Oxbow’s versatility is the most prominent, as the song runs the gamut with stunning string arrangements, punctuated gauntlets and even bittersweet dreamscapes."

"The programming runs the gamut from big-name crowd-pleasers touring the European summer jazz festival circuit to concerts by artists whose only appearances on the continent are in Perugia."

British guy #2: "Hmmm. It is rather messy, i'nt it? Don't all artists 'run the gamut' of something or another? I mean, the phrase essentially points out that musicians really shouldn't be pigeonholed into particular genres because creativity and inspiration cannot be limited by categories."

British guy#1: "Word to your mother."

British guy #2: "And besides - have you ever actually heard someone drop 'runs the gamut' into an ordinary conversation? The death of this cliche is elementary, now isn't it my dear Watson?"