highbrow etymology

Etymology:

The term "highbrow" originated in the 19th century as a reference to the upper classes, who were believed to have more refined tastes and intellectual pursuits.

"High" refers to the physical height of the forehead, which was seen as a sign of intelligence and refinement. "Brow" refers to the forehead or eyebrow.

Meaning:

"Highbrow" refers to:

• Cultural activities, tastes, or works that are considered sophisticated, intellectual, or elite.
• Individuals who have refined tastes and intellectual interests.

It can also have a snobbish connotation, implying that highbrow individuals look down on those with less sophisticated tastes.

Origin:

The term "highbrow" originated in the following contexts:

• Literary and Cultural Circles: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, writers, critics, and intellectuals used "highbrow" to distinguish between popular and elite literature, art, and music.
• Social Class: The upper classes were often associated with highbrow tastes, while the working classes were seen as having lowerbrow or more populist interests.
• Phrenology: Phrenology, a popular pseudoscience of the time, held that the shape of the skull could reveal character traits. High foreheads were believed to indicate intelligence and cultural refinement.

Usage:

"Highbrow" is typically used in a descriptive or judgmental sense, such as:

• "The opera is considered a highbrow form of entertainment."
• "He's a highbrow who loves to discuss philosophy and literature."

highbrow relate terms

• brow

  Etymology The word brow derives from the Old English word bruw which is believed to

• high

  Etymology The word high derives from the Middle English word hie which traces its ro

• high handed

  Etymology The word highhanded is derived from the Middle English word heigh handed

• lowbrow

  Etymology Lowbrow is a term that originated in the 19th century It is a combination o

• middlebrow

  Etymology The term middlebrow originated in the early 20th century It first appeared i

• intellectual

  Etymology The word intellectual originates from the Latin word intellectus which me

• intellect

  Etymology Intellect comes from the Latin word intellectus which is derived from the

• spill

  Etymology The word spill has several origins Old English spillan meaning to pour

• category

  Etymology The word category derives from the Ancient Greek word kategoria meaning

• insidious

  Etymology The word insidious is derived from the Latin word insidiosus meaning craf

• scramble

  Etymology of Scramble The word scramble has multiple etymological origins Old Fre