The first stimulus was Flaubert's "Dictionnaire des idees recues". A century and a half later, clichés, commonplaces, and stereotypes continue to multiply and oppress our thinking. I thought that the compilation of a modern "dictionary of commonplaces" might be useful.

I started the effort in a column I had in "Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia". I continued afterwards. A first selection was released in 1996 by Nefeli publications under the title "Anamasmata". A second, enriched edition appeared in 1997 on my websites www.ndimou.gr).

But on my journey, other entries emerged that describe fundamental (common) values of modern Greek thought. I added them and present here a third selection, three times the size of the previous one. If you are bothered by the unorthodox opinions I express, then the text has hit the mark. It will surely make you reconsider some of the stereotypes that oppress us.

Spring 2002, N.D.

P.S. 2013: Partial revision and update of the text eliminated some outdated phrases and added others that will later become outdated.