1825, "electrotype, stereotype," from French cliché, a technical word in printer's jargon for "stereotype block," noun use of past participle of clicher "to click" (18c.), supposedly echoic of the sound of a mold striking metal (compare native click).
cliche这个单词来自法语,是一个印刷术语,表示“凸印版”、“铅版”。进一步溯源到click模拟模板碰撞金属的声音。
一块铅版可以反复使用,印出多份材料。
一个词语也或某种表达方式可以反复使用,直到成为老生常谈的陈词滥调。所以人们就用 cliche (铅版)来比喻陈词滥调。