Stereotype

Originally a stereotype was an impression taken from a form of movable lead type and used for printing instead of the original type. This was generalized into a metaphor for repeating a set of ideas identically with no changes (as would have been possible in a form of movable type).

In modern usage, the metaphorical meaning predominates. The term is generally used to describe an oversimplified mental picture of some group of people who are sharing a certain characteristic (or stereotypical) qualities. The term is thus often used in a negative sense, with stereotypes being seen by many as illogical yet deeply held-beliefs that can only be changed through education.

Common stereotypes of the past included a variety of allegations about various racial groups (see: racial stereotype and racial profiling) and predictions of behavior based on social status and wealth (See social stereotype).

In literature and art, stereotypes are clichéd or predictable characters or situations. For example, the stereotypical devil is a red, impish character with horns and a pitchfork.

Common stereotypical characters

The lazy Mexican
The lazy or uneducated African-American from the city
The short-tempered, chunkified wrestler
The "hard-boiled" or tough private eye
The aging absent-minded professor, a schlemiel (sometimes speaking incoherently)
The middle-aged father with a paunch who remembers his glory days in high school
The ditzy busty blonde woman ("brain-dead blonde")
The dowdy librarian (who becomes instantly attractive when she takes her glasses off)
The degenerate aristocrat with top hat, tuxedo, and monocle
The snobbish butler (speaking with a British English or other European accent)
The nerdy scientist (with black wiry-framed glasses, black bowtie, white coat, speaking in technobabble)
- Similar: The short genius schoolkid, who wears glasses and uniform ("geek" or "dork")
The primly dressed schoolmarm with her pointer and "Now, class" address
The peg-legged pirate with an eye patch and parrot
The overweight, doughnut-eating cop who believes skateboarding is a crime
The prostitute with a heart of gold
The brightly colored court jester
The villain with black clothes, waxed moustache and generalized Central or Eastern European accent
The jolly Middle Eastern or South Asian cornershop owner with his collection of trinkets
The picky chef with his toque and piquant French accent.
The overdelivering game show host with his giant smile
The confrontational gangster in his pinstripe suit from Armani or Versace, who hides his gun in a violin case
The tobacco-spitting baseball player
The effeminate homosexual male
The butch lesbian
The old lady who sits on the porch, reminiscing and knitting.
The violent, savage Indian warrior or scalper.
The drunken Indian.
The drunken Irishman.
The hyperactive, hickish Australian.
The wise and otherworldly African-American who helps a white character in crisis.
Anti-Semitic portrayals of Jews
The uneducated (American) Southerner

Common stereotypical characters

See also