Lippmann, Walter

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Comment by inchoate but earnest on November 13th, 2010 at 3:20 pm

Lippman did not coin the term stereotype, which was in use as early as 1790:

“1798, “method of printing from a plate,” from Fr. stéréotype  (adj.) “printing by means of a solid plate of type,” from Gk. stereos  “solid” (see sterile) + Fr. type  “type.” Noun meaning “a stereotype plate” is from 1817.” (Random House Dictionary, Online Etymology Dictionary)

He may have fashioned its sociological usage, but not the term itself.

Comment by Jennifer Tanabe on February 24th, 2011 at 6:18 pm

Thank you for your comment. You are quite correct that Lippmann coined the metaphor using “stereotype” in the sociological usage, not the term itself. The article has been revised to clarify that point. Thank you again for taking the time to leave useful feedback.

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