edgy etymology

Etymology

The adjective "edgy" has origins in the early 1700s, deriving from the noun "edge," which refers to the boundary or sharp side of something.

Meaning

The word "edgy" primarily means:

  • Nervous, tense, or on the verge of losing control: Ex: She felt edgy as she walked up to the front of the class to speak.
  • Somewhat dangerous or risky: Ex: The neighborhood has a bit of an edgy reputation.
  • Avant-garde or unconventional: Ex: The movie was edgy and thought-provoking.
  • Intense, sharp: Ex: The wind had an edgy chill to it.

Origin

The metaphorical usage of "edgy" to describe a person or situation as being on edge or nervous developed over time. In the 20th century, the word gained its association with counterculture and alternative lifestyles.

The edgy aesthetic, characterized by dark, rebellious, and often non-conformist themes, emerged in the punk rock movement of the 1970s and subsequently spread to other subcultures. The term "edgy" became synonymous with this aesthetic, denoting a break from traditional norms and a willingness to explore the unconventional.

Usage

The word "edgy" is commonly used in various contexts:

  • Describing people: To convey a sense of anxiety, nervousness, or an unconventional or unconventional demeanor.
  • Describing situations or environments: To indicate potential danger, risk, or a departure from normalcy.
  • Describing art or entertainment: To denote works that challenge conventions, provoke thought, or explore taboo subjects.
  • Describing fashion or style: To refer to unconventional, provocative, or attention-grabbing clothing or accessories.

edgy relate terms

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    Etymology Old English ecg meaning border boundary brink Middle English egge

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    Etymology Middle English duski from Old Norse duskr meaning dark twilight Mean

  • restive

    Etymology The word restive comes from the Latin word restare meaning to stand still

  • strung

    Etymology Old English strengen to stretch make taut Proto Germanic stragganaz d

  • heredity

    Etymology The word heredity comes from the Latin word hereditas which means inherit

  • dismal

    Etymology The word dismal originates from the Old French word dismaler meaning to s

  • chow

    Etymology The word chow has several different etymologies From the Chinese word cha

  • serious

    Etymology Serious comes from the Latin word serius meaning grave or earnest The

  • demise

    Etymology Old French demis Medieval Latin demittere Latin de down mittere to se

  • hatch

    Etymology Old English hæcc hǣcc noun half door wicket Middle English hacche no