Commonplaceness

/ˈkɒmənpleɪsnəs/ noun

Definition

The quality of being ordinary, unoriginal, or lacking special distinction; the state of being trite or lacking novelty.

Etymology

From 'commonplace' + -ness (noun-forming suffix). This compounds the medieval book-keeping term with a Germanic suffix to describe the abstract property of being unexceptional.

Kelly Says

The 'commonplaceness' of internet memes is what makes them work—they succeed precisely because they're familiar and easy to understand. A truly original meme usually fails because it's too strange to be viral.

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