To Cliché or Not to Cliché, That Is the Question

We live in a world of clichés. One only needs to listen to and look at the people in our world to see that this is true. Clichés are clichés simply because they are everywhere.

Dictionary.com defines a cliché three ways: First, it defines a cliché as “a trite, stereotyped expression, sentence or phrase, usually expressing a popular or common thought or idea, that has lost originality, ingenuity, and impact by long overuse, as sadder but wiser, or strong as an ox.” The second definition relates to works of art; “a trite or hackneyed plot, character development, use of color, musical expression, etc.” The third is quite broad, stating that a cliché is “anything that has become trite or commonplace through overuse.”

The definition of a cliché from wikipedia.com truly characterizes the nature of a cliché: “A cliché 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.”

I can only imagine the howling crowd in response to the clever person who coined this cliché: “He’s a few clowns short of a circus.” At one point, that comment must have had such an edge, but passed down from person to person, its meaning is empty and the speaker holds no originality.

So, it seems that at one point someone somewhere used original thought to make a comparison that was fresh and innovative. People were clearly impressed by this person’s ability with words and decided to use the same description for something else. If we extrapolate that to accommodate for millions, perhaps billions of people and hundreds, perhaps thousands of years, we come to see how the cliché may have come about.

Clichés, like birds and reptiles, have stood the test of time. Unfortunately clichés like as useful as a lead parachute have been around since the ice age. What does this say about modern civilization?

What is it about humans and language that gets us so attached to certain phrases and words in a specific sequential order?

According to Askoxford.com, a website written by the Oxford Dictionary company, the second edition of the Oxford English Dictionary lists 171,476 words that are currently used. So here’s the real question: How is it with almost 200,000 words that we repeat the same phrases over and over? What is so oddly attractive about clichés that we love a phrase until people literally roll their eyes when they hear them?

Words and language obviously exist for communication between people and how better to communicate than to use the same words other people use? Clichés may be the ultimate bonding tool of language. One only has to google cliché to see the importance clichés play in our lives.

There are hundreds of listings of extensive databases and collections of clichés for all sorts of occasions and events. One site even boasts that they have listings of clichés specifically for times of trouble – sayings like, “if you can’t beat them, join them,” and “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” It is hard to imagine, though, that people need hundreds of databases to catalog these mundane phrases.

It is only reasonable to imagine that for as long as there has been language, there have been clichés. We could probably even start an argument similar to that of the chicken and the egg: Which came first, language or the cliché?

However, after some searching, it turns out that cliché is not as old a term as you would expect.

According to etymonline.com, an online etymology dictionary, cliché came about as a term around the year 1832. Cliché was borrowed from the French, like many of our words, but its original meaning was quite technical. It was used in the printing industry, where cliché was printers’ slang for stereotype. Cliché did not come into its modern use until around 1888. While the stereotype it was originally used to describe isn’t the same way we use stereotype today, it is quite easy now to see how these words became so closely associated.

A cliché is first and foremost a stereotype; however, clichés somehow have their reputation set as stereotypes’ wacky aunt or cousin. To be called cliché or say something clichéd is almost to say, how tacky. However, when called stereotypical or told someone is stereotyping, much stronger and more negative associations arise. In essence, the cliché is a lighthearted stereotype that is to be laughed at or perhaps pitied.

Clichés, specifically their definition as overused phrases, have such a negative connotation in our society. But, considering their prevalence and obvious social uses, can language or civilization ever exist without them?

Considering that ever since you are taught to write and communicate, teachers of all sorts tell you to stay away from using clichés. The real question is, is that possible? And, why would we want to?

Clichés and language are intrinsically linked. Language exists to bond and communicate. A cliché is a vessel of understanding between people.

If we were to stop using modern clichés, wouldn’t we just create new ones? Just like college students bond by repeating quotes from Will Ferrell movies, clichés show common understanding between people. Clichés are comfortable. We understand them. It’s comfort food for your brain.

Clichés are like American Idol – both appeal to the lowest common denominator. Like the stereotype, a cliché is a necessary evil – a device used to help sort through life; to make it a little bit easier to understand.

So, how about the question to cliché or not to cliché? More than likely, it is impossible not to.