Klisjeer

Klisjeer is a Dutch term for a cliché—a familiar, overused phrase, image, or plot element that recurs across media and everyday speech. The word carries a neutral analytical sense but often has a negative connotation, signaling a lack of originality. The concept is related to the French cliché; in Dutch usage klischee and klisjeer describe the same phenomenon, with klisjeer referring to the concrete instance.

In practice, klisjeeren appear in journalism, literature, film, and advertising. They help audiences recognize meaning quickly, but can also stereotype groups or oversimplify complex issues. Scholars study klisjeeren to understand how media shape expectations and social attitudes. Writers may deliberately reuse or subvert them: repetition can reassure, while subversion can critique.

Common klisjeeren include stock characters such as the wise mentor or the dangerous outsider, as well as plot devices like the will-they-won't-they romance or the race against time. Visual and linguistic clichés, such as dramatic lighting or exclamations, also function as klisjeeren. Dutch media criticism frequently analyzes their use and subversion.