Dadaisms

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A movement in art and literature challenging accepted norms through absurdity and irrationality; it emphasizes spontaneity and the value of nonsensical ideas; its influence is seen in later avant-garde trends and postmodernism
2. An artistic and literary phenomenon that questions traditional aesthetics via chaotic techniques and often provocative subjects; it embraces the unexpected and values creativity beyond rationality; its legacy continues in modern art forms
3. An approach that seeks to disrupt conventional art forms through nonsensical expression and unconventional themes; it prioritizes freedom of expression and often incorporates elements of chance; its impact is evident in contemporary artistic practices

Etymology: "Dadaisms" is simply the plural of "dadaism," so the story belongs to the movement's name. The noun "dada" is French, a child's word for a hobby-horse, and the French added the suffix "-isme," giving "dadaïsme," which English borrowed as "dadaism." The coinage reflects the movement's playful, deliberately nonsensical spirit: a word that sounds like a baby's first syllables was chosen for an art that rejected logic and the seriousness of prewar culture. The plural form "dadaisms" refers to separate instances or strands of this tendency, such as its visual, literary, and performance expressions. Because the English word is borrowed directly from French, it keeps the French spelling's key feature, the "-ism" ending that marks a doctrine or movement.