Uncannier: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the root 'canny,' which originally meant clever or skilled, but took on a more eerie meaning over time.
• The prefix 'un-' indicates negation, turning 'canny' into its opposite, suggesting something that is not just clever but has an unsettling quality.

Psychology

• The term is often used to describe feelings of discomfort or eeriness that arise when something appears familiar yet strange, a phenomenon known as 'the uncanny valley.'
• Research shows that the feeling of the uncanny can trigger strong emotional responses, and it's often used in horror storytelling to build suspense.

Literature

• The concept of the uncanny has been explored in literature, most famously in Sigmund Freud's essay 'The Uncanny,' where he discusses how familiar things can provoke fear.
• Many horror writers use the idea of the uncanny to create tension, making everyday things feel threatening.

Pop Culture

• In films and media, themes of the uncanny are explored in works like 'The Shining,' where the familiar setting of a hotel transforms into a source of horror.
• Characters that embody this feeling often include doppelgängers or haunted dolls, creating a sense of discomfort in the audience.

Art

• Artists like Salvador Dalí have used the idea of the uncanny in surreal paintings to provoke thought and discomfort, blending reality with dream-like qualities.
• The uncanny has also influenced modern art movements, where familiar objects are presented in unusual contexts to challenge viewers’ perceptions.

With rank #43,693, 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.

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