Hackneying: meaning, definitions and examples

🗣️
Add to dictionary

hackneying

 

[ ˈhækniɪŋ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

cliché expression

Hackneying refers to the act of making something so common or unoriginal that it loses its uniqueness or value. This term is often used to describe the overuse of phrases or ideas in literature and conversation, leading to a lack of originality.

Synonyms

cliché, overuse, triteness

Examples of usage

  • The hackneying of phrases in pop songs makes them less impactful.
  • In academia, hackneying of theories can diminish the quality of research.
  • His hackneying of traditional jokes made the set predictable and dull.

Translations

Translations of the word "hackneying" in other languages:

🇵🇹 clichê

🇮🇳 उबाऊपन

🇩🇪 Abgedroschenheit

🇮🇩 klise

🇺🇦 банальність

🇵🇱 banalność

🇯🇵 陳腐さ

🇫🇷 banalité

🇪🇸 banalidad

🇹🇷 sıradanlık

🇰🇷 진부함

🇸🇦 ابتذال

🇨🇿 banalita

🇸🇰 banalita

🇨🇳 陈腐

🇸🇮 banalnost

🇮🇸 banalitet

🇰🇿 баналдылық

🇬🇪 ბანალურობა

🇦🇿 banallıq

🇲🇽 banalidad

Etymology

The term 'hackneying' derives from 'hackney', which originally referred to a horse used for ordinary riding, and later it came to symbolize something that is commonplace and overused. This association with common, run-of-the-mill experiences led to the metaphorical use of 'hackneying' in describing ideas and expressions that lose their potency through excessive use. Over the years, the word has evolved to embody the idea of losing originality or freshness due to over-familiarity or excess. In literary and sociocultural contexts, it serves as a critique of lackluster creativity and the dangers of relying too heavily on preconceived notions.