Tackiest: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• Originating from the word 'tacky', which started in the 19th century, it originally described something sticky or adhesive.
• The word evolved in the 20th century to describe items lacking taste or style, particularly in design and fashion.
• In the 1930s, 'tacky' also began to describe something gaudy or overly elaborate, further emphasizing its negative connotation.

Cultural Impact

• During the 1980s, 'tacky' became synonymous with certain fashion styles that featured bold colors, shiny fabrics, and excessive accessories.
• The term is often used in discussions about pop culture, such as reality TV shows, where 'tacky' is a common critique of contestants' choices.
• In advertising and marketing, something deemed tacky can often backfire by coming off as insincere or desperate for attention.

Aesthetics

• In design, 'tacky' can apply to decor that mixes too many competing styles, clashing colors, or outdated themes.
• Contemporary art sometimes embraces tacky aesthetics deliberately, challenging traditional ideas of taste and refinement.
• Fashion critics frequently use 'tacky' to describe over-the-top trends that lack subtlety or sophistication.

Psychology

• The perception of something as tacky often relates to social norms and collective aesthetics, influencing how people view others' choices.
• Studying taste can reveal insights into social class and cultural identity, showing how 'tackiness' can sometimes be a marker of a group's values.
• Research suggests that people often find comfort in familiar, 'tacky' items from their past, indicating nostalgia can play a role in what we consider stylish or not.

Literature

• Tacky imagery appears in literature to highlight characters who fail to grasp social cues or have eccentric tastes.
• Certain novels and poems use 'tacky' descriptions to create satire, poking fun at societal standards of beauty and sophistication.
• Contemporary fiction often portrays tacky choices as a means of expressing individuality and challenging traditional aesthetic values.

With rank #42,919, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.

• ...
• 42916 blondest
• 42917 goriest
• 42918 glamourized
• 42919 tackiest
• 42920 futzing
• 42921 haemorrhaged
• 42922 patchier
• ...