Hipster

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈhɪp.stə/

Definitions

1. A person who actively seeks out unique cultural trends, often favoring independent music and retro fashion over mainstream styles
2. An individual who defines their identity through a distinctive artistic and lifestyle choices, often marked by a fondness for vintage and alternative scenes
3. A person characterized by a deep appreciation for alternative culture, usually embracing non-mainstream art, fashion, and music in their lifestyle choices

Etymology: The most surprising thing about "hipster" is that its first sense had nothing to do with fashion. In the 1920s in the United States, a hipster was simply someone who carried something on their hip, such as a flask or a weapon tucked into a belt. The root is "hip," the part of the body, and "-ster," a suffix that forms agent nouns from verbs or nouns, as in "trickster" or "gangster." The sense that now dominates appeared in the 1940s, when "hipster" became a variant of "hepster," a follower of the latest fashions, trends, and styles. "Hep" and "hip" were slang for being aware of or up to date with what was current, so the word came to describe someone who was in the know. The jump from a physical object worn at the waist to a person who keeps up with the newest things is a short but striking one.

Synonyms: trendsetter, bohemian

Antonyms: conformist, traditionalist