Adages or mishaps? Confused (9)

I believe the answer is:

aphorisms

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'adages' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'or mishaps? confused' is the wordplay.
'confused' is an anagram indicator.
'or'+'mishaps'='ormishaps'
'ormishaps' with letters rearranged gives 'APHORISMS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aphorisms that I've seen before include "brief observations" , "Short, pithy and instructive sayings" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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