flaneur etymology

Etymology

  • French, literally "stroller" or "saunterer," from flaner (“to roam, wander idly”)

Meaning

  • A person who strolls or saunters, especially in a city or town.
  • A person who observes and experiences the urban environment in a leisurely and contemplative manner.

Origin

The term "flaneur" originated in 19th-century Paris, where it was applied to urban dwellers who spent their time exploring the city's streets, arcades, parks, and other public spaces.

The flaneur was a unique figure who emerged alongside the rapid urbanization and modernization of Paris. As the city grew and changed, these individuals became interested in observing and documenting the transformations occurring around them.

Flaneurs were typically members of the middle or upper classes who had the leisure time and economic resources to pursue their pursuits. They were often writers, artists, and intellectuals who sought inspiration and insight from their urban experiences.

The flaneur has become a common figure in literature, film, and art. Notable examples include Charles Baudelaire's "The Painter of Modern Life" and Walter Benjamin's "The Arcades Project."

flaneur relate terms

  • airplane

    Etymology Old French avion c 13th century Medieval Latin avis bird Meaning

  • dysplasia

    Etymology Dysplasia derives from the Greek words Dys meaning abnormal difficult

  • ectoplasm

    Etymology From Greek ἐκτός ektos outside πλάσμα plasma creature

  • effleurage

    Etymology French effleurer meaning to graze skim skim over From Latin efflorare

  • esplanade

    Etymology French esplanade Italian spianata Latin explanāre to make level Mea

  • explain

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and historical development of words It in

  • explanation

    Etymology The word explanation is derived from the Latin word explanare which means

  • feldspar

    Etymology Feldspar is derived from the German word feldspat which is a compound of f

  • field

    Etymology The word field derives from the Middle English word feld which itself is d

  • flaneur

    Etymology French literally stroller or saunterer from flaner to roam wander i

  • floor

    Etymology The word floor comes from the Old English word flor which is of uncertain

  • llano

    Etymology The word llano is derived from the Spanish word llano meaning plain or

  • palm

    Etymology of Palm The word palm comes from the Latin word palma which itself is d

  • palm

    Etymology of Palm The word palm comes from the Latin word palma which itself is d

  • palmy

    Etymology The word palmy comes from the Latin word palma which means palm tree M

  • piano

    Etymology Piano is derived from the Italian word pianoforte which literally means so

  • pianoforte

    Etymology The term pianoforte comes from two Italian words Piano meaning soft or

  • plain

    Etymology Plain derives from the Old French word plain which in turn comes from the

  • plan

    Etymology The word plan originated from the Latin word planus meaning flat or lev

  • planar

    Etymology Planar Derived from the Latin word planus meaning flat or level Me

  • Planaria

    Planaria Etymology and Meaning The word planaria comes from the Latin word planus meani

  • plane

    Etymology The word plane has its origins in the Latin word planus which means flat

  • plane

    Etymology The word plane has its origins in the Latin word planus which means flat

  • plane

    Etymology The word plane has its origins in the Latin word planus which means flat

  • planet

    Planet noun Etymology From Middle English planete derived from Old English planēta

  • plani

    Etymology and Meaning The word plani is derived from the Latin word planus meaning

  • planisphere

    Etymology Planisphere originates from the Latin words Planus Flat or level Sphaera

  • plano

    Etymology The word plano originates from the Latin word planus meaning flat or e

  • plasma

    Etymology The word plasma derives from the Greek word plasma which means moldable s

  • plasmid

    Etymology The term plasmid is derived from the Greek words πλασμα plasma m

  • plasm

    Etymology The word plasm comes from the Greek word πλάσμα plasma which means

  • plaster

    Etymology The word plaster derives from the Late Latin term plastrum which means w

  • plastic

    Etymology The word plastic is derived from the Greek word plastikos which means cap

  • plastid

    Etymology Plastic id Meaning An organelle in plant cells that contains pigments f

  • Poland

    Etymology The name Poland is derived from the Proto Slavic word Polanie meaning peo

  • pole

    Etymology The word pole derives from the following roots Middle English pol Old

  • polka

    Etymology The word polka is derived from the Czech word půlka which means half

  • protoplasm

    Etymology Proto Greek First original plasm Greek Formed molded Meaning P

  • veldt

    Etymology The word veldt has Dutch origins Dutch veld field Meaning A veldt

  • security

    Etymology The word security is derived from the Latin word securus meaning free fro

  • reckon

    Etymology Middle English reknen from Old English reccan Proto West Germanic rakōn

  • providence

    Etymology The word providence comes from the Latin word providentia which means fo

  • plot

    Etymology Plot derives from the Old English word plot which meant a piece of land

  • paradise

    Etymology The word paradise comes from the Old Persian word pairidaēza which means

  • fickle

    Etymology The word fickle comes from the Middle English word fikel which means dece

  • simile

    Etymology The word simile originates from the Latin word similis meaning like or

  • Christ

    Etymology The name Christ comes from the Greek word Χριστός Christós which i

  • epitome

    Etymology of Epitome The word epitome originates from the Greek word epitome meaning