Partially named after a type of fowl, a pointless and foolish search or pursuit that is bound to result in failure - Romeo & Juliet
Wild-goose chase
2011
Ellie Kemper
Chris O'Dowd
Rebel Wilson
Bridesmaids
Samwise Gamgee (The Lord of the Rings)

Frodo Baggins
Today a secretary is often called this 14-letter type of assistant
Administrative
Fermented dough is used to make this tart variety of bread, a San Francisco staple
Sourdough bread
Something, usually spoken, that helps people get to know each other or feel more comfortable - The Taming of the Shrew
Break the ice
2010
Patrick Wilson
Barbara Hershey
Insidious (2010)

Abed Nadir (Community)

Troy Barnes
To kill the pathogenic microorganisms in milk using this process, it's necessary to heat it to at least 145oF
Pasteurization
Oddly, this "national" pastry is called Vienna bread in Denmark
Danish
A person is said to be this when they are in a situation that is difficult to get out of - The Tempest
In a pickle
2011
Jennifer Lawrence
January Jones
Kevin Bacon
X-Men: First Class

Jeffrey Lebowski (The Big Lebowski)

Walter Sobchak
Can I tell you something this way just between ourselves?
Confidentially
In 1912 inventor Otto Rohwedder began work on a groundbreaking machine to do this to bread
Slice it
Although it might sound cannibalistic, this phrase refers to a cruel or unusual punishment - The Merchant of Venice
Pound of flesh
2007
Chris Evans
Benedict Wong
Michelle Yeoh
Sunshine (2007)

Brennan Huff (Step Brothers)

Dale Doback
Like layers of rock, it's the hierarchical division of society according to rank, caste, or class
Stratification
An early form of bread has been found in Stone Age ruins near Lake Neuchatel in this country
Switzerland
Saying that someone or something has done this is the equivalent of saying it is old and worn out. - Timons of Athens
Seen better days
2002
Ewan McGregor
Samuel L. Jackson
Christopher Lee
Jimmy Smits
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

Oswald Klaven (I Love You, Man)
Hank Mardukis
You'll follow anyone's lead because you're young and this adjective, meaning easily influenced
Impressionable
The first to learn leavening, these ancient people were once called the "Bread Eaters" by the ancient Greeks
Egyptians