Cliche
A cliché (noun), or something that is cliché (adjective), is any locution that is overused, often to the point of being rendered meaningless. It is a French word, meaning photograph or snapshot in that language.
Cliché often refers to concepts or ideas that are overused despite not really reflecting reality, expressing a kind of self-reproducing prejudice. A common form of cliché is an overused expression that has a standard, figurative meaning. For example, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."
In literary fiction, clichés often take the form of predictable characters or situtations, for example the stereotypical peg-legged pirate searching for treasure.
Movie clichés are similar to the ones found in literature, with a particular focus on predictable situations. For example, a common film cliché is for a fruit stand to be knocked over during a chase sequence. Another cliche, it could be said, is when a killer is killed in an horror movie, only to be revived for the next sequel.
Extensive use of clichés is sometimes seen as an indicator of poor verbal skills and is common in colloquial language. Clichés are occasionally viewed as insincere, especially when spoken sarcastically.
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