HIGHBROWISM Meaning and
Definition
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Highbrowism is a term used to describe a cultural or intellectual elitism, often associated with individuals or groups who look down upon or dismiss popular or mainstream culture as being intellectually inferior, shallow, or lacking in value. Highbrowism is characterized by the belief that certain forms of art, literature, music, or other intellectual pursuits are of superior quality and should be reserved for a select group of people with refined tastes and education.
This concept has roots in the idea of high culture, which refers to art and intellectual works that are considered to be of particularly high intellectual or aesthetic value, typically associated with the upper classes or the educated elite. Those who engage in highbrowism often exhibit a snobbish or condescending attitude towards popular forms of entertainment or art that are enjoyed by the masses, labeling them as lowbrow or simplistic.
Highbrowism can manifest itself in various ways, such as disregarding popular literature in favor of classic or obscure works, dismissing mainstream music in favor of avant-garde or experimental genres, or rejecting mainstream film in favor of art-house or foreign productions. However, it is important to note that highbrowism is a subjective concept and can vary in intensity and scope depending on individual perspectives and cultural contexts.
Critics argue that highbrowism can foster a sense of exclusivity and perpetuate cultural divisions, undermining the accessibility and diversity of cultural expression.
Common Misspellings for HIGHBROWISM
- gighbrowism
- bighbrowism
- nighbrowism
- jighbrowism
- uighbrowism
- yighbrowism
- hughbrowism
- hjghbrowism
- hkghbrowism
- hoghbrowism
- h9ghbrowism
- h8ghbrowism
- hifhbrowism
- hivhbrowism
- hibhbrowism
- hihhbrowism
- hiyhbrowism
- hithbrowism
- higgbrowism
- higbbrowism
Etymology of HIGHBROWISM
The word "highbrowism" is derived from the combination of two separate words: "highbrow" and the suffix "-ism".1. Highbrow: The term "highbrow" emerged in the late 19th century as a contrast to the word "lowbrow", which referred to individuals with lower intellectual or cultural interests. "Highbrow" originally described someone with a particularly high level of intellectual or cultural sophistication, often associated with the upper class or the educated elite.2. -ism: The suffix "-ism" is used to form nouns denoting a particular doctrine, system, or practice. It can also indicate a state or condition related to the root word. In this case, "-ism" is added to "highbrow" to create the noun "highbrowism", which refers to the state or characteristic of being highbrow, or the practice of emphasizing intellectual or cultural pursuits.
