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# The Good Oil Word of the Day
- URL: https://goodoil.news/the-good-oil-word-of-the-day-524/
- Published: 2026-01-17T17:15:19.000Z
- Updated: 2026-01-17T17:15:18.000Z
- Author: David Theobald
- Tags: General, Word of the Day

The word for today is…

stereotype (verb, noun) -

*verb*  
1: to make a stereotype from  
2a: to repeat without variation : make hackneyed  
b: to develop a mental stereotype about

*noun*  
1: a plate cast from a printing surface  
2: something conforming to a fixed or general pattern, especially : a standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group and that represents an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude, or uncritical judgment

Source : [Merriam-Webster](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stereotype?ref=goodoil.news)

Etymology : The words cliché and stereotype have a good deal in common. Both come from French, both were originally printers’ terms, and both have come to take on somewhat negative meanings in modern use. Their original meanings are essentially synonymous, referring to printing blocks from which numerous prints could be made. In fact, cliché means stereotype in French. Their modern meanings, however, are quite distinct. Cliché is today overwhelmingly encountered in reference to something hackneyed, such as an overly familiar or commonplace phrase, theme, or expression. Stereotype is most frequently now employed to refer to an often unfair and untrue belief that many people have about all people or things with a particular characteristic.

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