Cliché
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A cliché (from French, pronounced [klɪ'ʃe]) is a phrase, expression, or idea that has been overused to the point of losing its intended force or novelty, especially when at some time it was considered distinctively forceful or novel. The term is most likely to be used in a negative context.
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[edit] Other meanings
A cliché is also a term historically used in printing, for a printing plate cast from movable type. This is also called a stereotype.[1] When letters were set one at a time it made sense to cast a phrase used over and again as one single slug of metal. That constantly repeated phrase was known as a cliché.
[edit] Quote
| “ | It is a cliché that most clichés are true, but then, like most clichés, that cliché is untrue. | ” |
— Stephen Fry in his book Moab Is My Washpot.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Museum of printing: discussion of stereotype/cliché.
