A chemical compound containing bromine, or figuratively, a trite saying or commonplace remark lacking originality.
From bromine (discovered in 1826 from Greek bromos meaning 'stench') plus the suffix -ide indicating a compound. The figurative meaning arose in the early 20th century because bromide salts were commonly used as sedatives, leading to the metaphorical sense of something that dulls or soothes through repetition.
The dual meaning of bromide perfectly captures how language evolves from scientific terminology into everyday metaphor. Victorian-era bromide sedatives were so associated with calming agitation that the word naturally extended to describe any statement that was dull, predictable, or designed to quiet discussion rather than stimulate thought.
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