The word “cliché” is a French term dating to the early 19th century that meant “to produce or print in stereotype.” A stereotype was a printing plate used to create abundant versions of the same design. Printers heard a “clicking” sound during this process, which gave birth to the onomatopoeic word “cliché”.
Often listed as synonyms, platitudes and clichés have a few small differences. For one, clichés are defined as overused phrases. Phrases that were once considered original or insightful become clichés when they are overused, whereas platitudes are always considered shallow and unoriginal.
Politicians ore often accused of spouting the same old platitudes.