Understanding the Definition and Meaning of Cliché
Definition
To understand the meaning of cliché, let's begin by exploring its definitions in the British Dictionary and general dictionary sources.
British Dictionary definitions
According to the Collins English Dictionary, a cliché is defined as an expression, idea, or element of an artistic work that has been overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect. This aligns with the notion that clichés often lack originality and fail to make a genuine impact on the audience.
Dictionary definitions for cliché
In broader terms, when we refer to standard dictionary definitions for cliché, we find that it signifies an expression or idea that has been overused to the extent that it no longer holds any significance. Furthermore, clichés are considered unoriginal and can be detrimental to effective communication.
Edit
It's important to recognize how these definitions emphasize the repetitive nature of clichés and their adverse effects on effective communication.
Statistic: Corpora have given me an excellent tool for determining how often, and in what contexts, a particular phrase or form of words is used. - Corpora provide evidence-based statistical data on the frequency of cliché usage in written and spoken language.
Etymology
The word cliché has an intriguing etymological history, tracing its origins to the French language. Historically, it is derived from the past passive participle of clicher, which means 'to click' in French. This term was initially used as a noun and is attested from 1825, originating in the printing trades.
CLICHÉ
Historical Insight
In the printing industry, cliché was adopted as jargon to refer to a stereotype, electrotype, cast plate, or block print that could reproduce type or images repeatedly. The onomatopoeic nature of the word stemmed from the clicking sound produced during 'dabbed' printing processes. Through this onomatopoeia, cliché came to mean a ready-made or oft-repeated phrase.
Dictionary
Behind the Scenes
The term cliché actually means 'stereotype' in French, referring to the method of printing newspapers with interlocking plates and then using a mold to form a new plate that prints the entire page at once. It is derived from the past participle of clicher, meaning 'to produce or print in stereotype.' The word is onomatopoeic, alluding to the noise of the die striking the metal to lock the plates in place.
Edit
Insider Information
In French origins, cliché was referred to as a stereotype. The noise made by casting plates sounded like 'cliché', meaning click to French printers. Thus, this onomatopoeia word became printer’s jargon for stereotype. Consequently, cliché evolved to denote a word or phrase that is frequently repeated.
Usage of Cliché
When it comes to the cliché, its usage is pervasive and can be found in various forms of communication, including speech, writing, journalism, and even everyday conversations.
Thought-terminating cliché
One notable aspect of clichés is their ability to act as thought-terminating clichés. These are phrases or expressions that are used to dismiss dissent or justify fallacious reasoning. When individuals encounter challenging questions or differing viewpoints, they may resort to using these clichés to shut down further discussion without engaging in meaningful dialogue.
Words Nearby cliché
In the realm of vocabulary and language usage, words often found nearby cliché include "overused," "unoriginal," "stereotype," and "repetitive." These words shed light on the nature of clichés and how they are perceived within the context of communication and expression.
Edit
It's essential to recognize the impact that clichés have on communication. Their overuse can lead to a loss of originality and depth in written and spoken expression. Furthermore, they can hinder creativity and innovation in language use.
Personal Experience:
Using clichés can cause a message to lose impact and be less memorable because it does not stand out from the many other similar messages people have already heard.
Clichés are phrases that have been overly used in writing and speech and often lack originality or have lost their depth of meaning.
Truly dire cliché is speaking and writing that puts its audience on automatic pilot, suggesting that nothing is being said or written that merits attention.
A cliché is often a vivid depiction of an abstraction that relies upon analogy or exaggeration for effect, often drawn from everyday experience.
News Reports:
Statistic: Journalism has been historically and continues to be the true home of the cliché. The majority of clichés treated in this book are found in greater numbers, and in greater proportion, in journalism than in any other genre of writing.
Types of Cliché
Clichés manifest in various forms and are prevalent across literature, film, and everyday language. Understanding the different types and synonyms associated with clichés provides insight into their widespread usage and impact.
Synonyms
Clichés are synonymous with predictable expressions or ideas that have become trite through overuse. They often rely on analogy or exaggeration for effect, drawing from everyday experiences. While sparing use may be effective, an abundance of clichés is generally perceived as a lack of originality or experience. In modern culture, clichés may also refer to expected or predictable actions based on prior events. These terms are typically pejorative and may or may not hold truth, encompassing both stereotypes and truisms.
Comparative Data:
Before:
A cliché is often a vivid depiction of an abstraction that relies upon analogy or exaggeration for effect, often drawn from everyday experience. Used sparingly, it may succeed, but the use of a cliché in writing, speech, or argument is generally considered a mark of inexperience or a lack of originality.
After:
The term is often used in modern culture for an action or idea that is expected or predictable, based on a prior event. Typically pejorative, "clichés" may or may not be true. Some are stereotypes, but some are simply truisms and facts. Clichés often are employed for comedic effect, typically in fiction.
word
An extensive range of genres includes clichés, such as news journalism, lifestyle writing, blogs, scholarly articles, scientific writing, and fiction. No genre remains untouched by clichés; however, journalism stands out as the primary domain where clichés flourish abundantly. The prevalence of these overused phrases within journalism surpasses other genres significantly.
The notion that most clichés will never cease to exist is evident after thorough study and discussions with colleagues. Despite efforts to put certain tired clichés to rest through naming and shaming them—most continue to thrive due to their utility in smoothing speech flow for speakers and writers alike.
Comparative Data:
Before:
A number of genres are included in the main corpus I used in my research... Journalism has been historically and continues to be the true home of the cliché...
After:
Many speakers find them extremely useful to smooth the steady flow of speech... All natural speakers use clichés from time to time...
Edit
It's crucial to recognize the diverse nature of cliché usage across different forms of communication and media while acknowledging their impact on language expression.
Examples of Cliché
Clichés can often manifest in the form of commonly mispronounced words, perpetuating language patterns that deviate from their original phonetic structure. This phenomenon is not only prevalent in everyday speech but also finds its way into various forms of media and communication.
Commonly Mispronounced Words
Nuclear: This word is frequently mispronounced as "nucular," deviating from its correct pronunciation as "daily."
Supposedly: Many individuals mispronounce this word as "supposably," altering its intended pronunciation to "daily."
Library: The mispronunciation of this word as "libary" rather than "daily" has become a common occurrence.
February: Often mispronounced as "Febuary," this deviation from the correct pronunciation can be attributed to widespread usage in daily language.
Jewelry: The tendency to pronounce this word as "jewlery" instead of the correct pronunciation can be observed in various daily conversations.
Height: Mispronunciations such as “heighth” instead of the correct enunciation are frequently encountered in daily language use.
Mischievous: This word is commonly mispronounced as “mis-chee-vee-us,” disregarding the standard pronunciation heard in daily exchanges.
Arctic: Despite being pronounced as “ar-tik,” many people tend to mispronounce it with an additional “k” sound, altering its phonetic rhythm in both formal and informal discourse.
Ask: The transformation of this word into “aks” rather than maintaining its original phonetic structure is a common occurrence in various forms of spoken and written discourse on a daily basis.
Espresso: Mispronunciations such as “expresso” have become increasingly prevalent, diverging from the accurate articulation found within linguistic conventions on a regular basis.
Impact of Cliché
The impact of cliché extends beyond mere language usage, delving into the realms of thought, narrative, and ethical considerations. The overuse of clichés can diminish the overall impact and memorability of a message as it fails to stand out amidst similar expressions.
Challenge: A challenge arises when clichés are used repetitively in writing or speech, leading to a loss of originality and depth in communication. This can be perceived as a mark of inexperience or lack of creativity.
In philosophical or ethical arguments, the use of clichés is often criticized for its reliance on analogy or exaggeration, drawn from everyday experiences. While sparing use may succeed, an abundance of clichés is generally considered detrimental to effective communication.
Clichés have been overly used in writing and speech, often lacking originality or losing their depth of meaning. Despite this, it's important to recognize that completely avoiding clichés at all times can burden language expression with an unnecessary level of novelty. Just as one wouldn't expect entirely novel dishes at every meal, some degree of familiarity and pattern is sought after in our experience with reading and listening.
Using cliché examples in written content may seem convenient for conveying a message; however, it comes with drawbacks that can hinder effectiveness and credibility.
About the Author: Quthor, powered by Quick Creator, is an AI writer that excels in creating high-quality articles from just a keyword or an idea. Leveraging Quick Creator's cutting-edge writing engine, Quthor efficiently gathers up-to-date facts and data to produce engaging and informative content. The article you're reading? Crafted by Quthor, demonstrating its capability to produce compelling content. Experience the power of AI writing. Try Quick Creator for free at quickcreator.io and start creating with Quthor today!
See Also
Grasping the Contrast: Creator versus Creater
Isn't It Coincidental? The Truth About Irony and Its Instances Literary Irony
Comprehending And (&) Symbol in Contemporary Typography
