Beatnik: meaning, definitions and examples
๐จ
beatnik
[ หbiหtnษชk ]
cultural movement
A beatnik refers to a member of the Beat Generation, a social and artistic movement that emerged in the 1950s in the United States. Beatniks were known for their rejection of conventional societal norms, embracing alternative lifestyles, jazz music, poetry, and a spirit of rebellion. They often critiqued materialism and promoted spiritual and artistic exploration. The culture associated with beatniks was marked by its bohemian lifestyle, distinctive fashionโsuch as berets and black turtlenecksโand engagement in the counterculture of the time.
Synonyms
bohemian, counterculturist, hipster.
Examples of usage
- The beatnik wrote poetry in coffeehouses.
- Her beatnik style included bold patterns and loose clothing.
- Many beatniks gathered in Greenwich Village during the 1960s.
- The film depicted the lives of idealistic beatniks searching for meaning.
Translations
Translations of the word "beatnik" in other languages:
๐ต๐น beatnik
๐ฎ๐ณ เคฌเฅเคเคจเคฟเค
๐ฉ๐ช Beatnik
๐ฎ๐ฉ beatnik
๐บ๐ฆ ะฑััะฝัะบ
๐ต๐ฑ beatnik
๐ฏ๐ต ใใผใใใฏ
๐ซ๐ท beatnik
๐ช๐ธ beatnik
๐น๐ท beatnik
๐ฐ๐ท ๋นํธ๋
๐ธ๐ฆ ุจูุชููู
๐จ๐ฟ beatnik
๐ธ๐ฐ beatnik
๐จ๐ณ ๆฏ็นๅฐผๅ
๐ธ๐ฎ beatnik
๐ฎ๐ธ beatnik
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฑะธัะฝะธะบ
๐ฌ๐ช แแแขแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ beatnik
๐ฒ๐ฝ beatnik
Etymology
The term 'beatnik' originated in the 1950s, coined by the San Francisco Chronicle columnist Herb Caen as a playful reference to the 'Beat Generation' writers and artists, like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. The suffix '-nik', borrowed from the Yiddish language, typically indicates a person associated with a particular movement or characteristic, as seen in the word 'Sputnik'. It was initially used somewhat derisively, but it quickly became embraced by those identifying with the beatnik lifestyle. The beatniks were characterized by their artistic expression, disdain for the establishment, and a commitment to exploring the deeper meanings of existence, often influenced by Eastern philosophies and existential thought. Over the years, the term has evolved, but it still captures the essence of those who live on the fringes of society, seeking authenticity and freedom of expression.