Definition

Noun: 1. A United States youth subculture of the 1950s: The term "beatniks" refers specifically to members of a social and artistic movement characterized by their rejection of mainstream societal norms, conventional careers, and material possessions. They were associated with communal living, experimentation with psychedelic drugs, anarchist political views, and an affinity for modern jazz forms like bebop.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The coffee shop was a popular gathering place for beatniks and poets.
  • In the late 1950s, beatniks became a visible symbol of youthful rebellion.
  • The fashion of the beatniks often included black turtlenecks, berets, and sunglasses.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The term "beatnik" was popularized by San Francisco newspaper columnist Herb Caen in 1958, blending "Beat" (from the "Beat Generation") with the Russian suffix "-nik" (as in "Sputnik"), often implying a somewhat stereotyped or caricatured version of the more serious Beat artists and writers.
• Cultural Impact: While the subculture was relatively small, "beatniks" had a significant influence on the broader countercultural movements of the 1960s, including the hippies.

Variants and Related Words

• Beat (adj/n): The root term, originally meaning "weary" or "down-and-out," but also connoting "beatific." It describes the sensibility and non-conformist attitude of the Beat Generation.
• Beat Generation (n): The broader literary and cultural movement from which the "beatnik" stereotype emerged, including iconic figures like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg.

Synonyms

• Bohemians: Individuals, often artists or writers, who live unconventional lives.
• Nonconformists: People who do not follow generally accepted beliefs, customs, or practices.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• The Beat Generation: This is the primary phrase associated with "beatniks." While "beatniks" often refers to the more stereotypical followers, "The Beat Generation" refers to the core artists and the movement's intellectual foundations.
  • Jack Kerouac is considered a founding father of the Beat Generation.

Noun

1. a United States youth subculture of the 1950s; rejected possessions or regular work or traditional dress; for communal living and psychedelic drugs and anarchism; favored modern forms of jazz (e.g., bebop)