An overused expression or idea, it comes from the French for "to stereotype"
... 
or phrase, usually expressing a popular or common thought or idea, that has lost 
... Etymology: 19th Century: from French, from clicher to stereotype; imitative of... [DOC] [TLE] clich - Memidex dictionary/thesaurus [PAR] French, past participle of clicher, to stereotype (imitative of the sound made.