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Reader question: Would you please explain “catch phrase”? My comments: A catch phrase, or catchphrase, is a phrase that “catches”, one that sounds attractive, captivating and is therefore easily remembered. A disease that catches (many people), for instance, is one that is infectious. Likewise a catch phrase spreads quickly. Look at it this way: a catch phrase is simply a group of words (phrase) that has become one CATCHWORD. Dictionary definitions correctly point out that catch phrases are best used as slogans for a particular group or movement. Nike, the sports gear maker, has “Just Do It” as a catchphrase to pitch many of its products. McDonald’s, the hamburger chain on the other hand, says “I’m Loving It” in its commercials. The catch phrase of our government, of course, is “Serve the People.” No kidding. All people who are my age or older know that “Serve the People Whole-Heartedly” has been the motto of the Party for, like, forever. It still is, I believe. Youngsters, I know, are more familiar with the more recent “Let Some People Get Rich First”. That really means “let’s get rich no matter what.” And currently, it’s really hard to tell which one of these two catchphrases is more catching – that is, more captivating and infectious – but if you are a believer of the second, it hardly matters. In other words, for you, it’s: catch as catch can. | 
