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stereotype

The origin and history of stereotype.

Etymology

Borrowed from French stéréotype, originally a printing term for a solid metal plate; the "oversimplified idea about a group" sense dates to Walter Lippmann's 1922 book Public Opinion.

Origin: French · First attested 1922

Class of 1922

stereotype first entered the language around 1922.

See the full Class of 1922 →
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Etymology: FreeDict original editorial.