Can someone please explain to me what the heck does EMO mean? Why are people labelled that way?

Answer 1

As an adjective, emo can describe a style of fashion or music; or a general state of unhappiness or melancholy (as in "to feel emo"). Emo is also used as a noun, often pejoratively, to identify a member of the "emo scene" or someone viewed as fitting the "emo" stereotype.
For more than a decade, the term emo was used almost exclusively to describe the genre of music that spawned from the 1980s DC scene and the bands inspired by it. However, during the late 1990s, as emo music began to emerge into popular consciousness, the term began to be used as a broader reference than its prior music denotation.

The origin of the word emo itself is unclear. In a 1985 interview by Rites of Spring in Flipside, members of the band noted that some of their fans in DC were starting to call them "emo", arguably because of the state of emotion that the band displayed during their shows. In later years, the word emo was viewed as a contraction of "emotional hardcore" or "emocore", which was the popular designation of the music genre.

A younger contingent argues that emo is a contraction for "emotive hardcore". However, no primary source demonstrates the use of that term prior to the mid-1990s. Meanwhile, numerous sources cite the use of "emotional hardcore", dating back to the mid-to-late 1980s.

In recent years, as its use has come to define more than just the music, the word emo has often been viewed as short for "emotional".


2000s
Bands like Dashboard Confessional began to popularize a more dramatic and personal style of "emo", which used lyrics that had a far greater appeal amongst teenagers experiencing life and love for the first time. As the lyrical content shifted, and as the genre began to enter the mainstream, the term "emo" started to be used more often to describe what was perceived by those outside the scene as the overwrought melodrama of the music. The perception was that melodrama was feigned, an effort to display depression or dysfunction where it did not actually exist. Popular comments such as "don't be so emo" and "cheer up, emo kid" expressed the belief among detractors that fans of emo music took themselves too seriously.

As major labels began categorising more diverse bands under the "emo" label, varying styles of music and dress began to be conflated as well. The style of bands like My Chemical Romance and Panic! At the Disco, including their use of makeup (particularly black eyeliner) and longish hair (often covering one eye or the face) began to be associated with emo.

There are two popular forms of dress that are considered emo. The first is essentially derived from the 1990s "indie emo" scene, and has connections to indie rock, grunge, and punk rock. It includes more vintage and thrift store clothing, typically for a well-worn look. Some of the clothing leans toward khaki colors. T-shirts are typically of smaller sizes, and with various prints, often images from the 1980s punk culture. Bags and backpacks often have pins and patches of various bands.

The other popular style of dress focuses on darker colors. Commonly seen styles include straight, dark colored hair, either black, red, multi-colored (brown and black, red and purple, etc.) which covers one eye, males wearing pants tailored for females, lip, eyebrow, and labret piercings, and dark make-up on males and females (most notably black eyeliner, although red and pink eyeshadow is becoming increasingly popular). A common accessory for both males and females is glasses with a dark coloured (usually black), thick rim, a style sometimes even worn by persons who do not require corrective eye-wear. Wristbands in various colors are also popular.

Converse All-Star style shoes are common amongst both styles of dress, as are Vans and other skate shoe brands.

While "emo" is often used to describe the dress and attitudes of fans of emo music, "emo" as a musical genre and "emo" as a slang term are largely separate. "Emo" as a musical genre long pre-dated the use of "emo" as a slang term. At the same time, most current bands are labeled "emo" unwillingly, largely because they share some of the fashion trends and attitude associated with "emo" as a slang term.

There is also a common stereotype that associates "emo" with self-harm, most notably cutting wrists, partly due to song lyrics associated with "emo" bands, which often speak of acts of self-destruction. However, apart from the anecdotal, there is no significant evidence of any correlation between emo and self-harm.

Answer 2

Emo was a musical genre and underground subculture that started in the 1980s. Emo is short for emotional and is used to describe a type of music. The word is now used in the mainstream to describe kids who listen to a new breed of emo music and an attitude/style which is different from the original meaning of the 1980s and 90s. Wikipedia actually has a really good definition with the history but it may be hard to understand if you were never involved with any type of subculture. Today, it is no longer a subculture and it's more of an everyday, mainstream teenage thing. It's now more of a blend of punk, rock, goth and anything else kids are into.

Answer 3

I do trust you approximately how folks will not say that traditional steel isn't truly steel. I imply, that's the form of track folks such as you lived with again while you have been there age. What else might it's known as? Also to reply your query. I do not label any form of rock any special style. Yes, I understand what the change is among Alternative Rock, Hard Rock, Progressive Rock, Heavy Metal, and so on. However, why does it topic approximately what form of track you concentrate to? You must be happy with the track you concentrate to. I discover that although that many "emos" gave the impression to be obsessive about this labeling method. They are continually consistently complaining and ranting approximately why they hate labels. Now why is that this? Maybe given that they see the phrase "emo" as a terrible time period in the direction of rock track. It might make experience, given that they consistently hate folks calling themselves that. However, the phrase "emo" is not only a label. It is a truly form of rock track. That is why it's heard far and wide. So I do not know why they're complaining such a lot. If I needed to wager on who began this labeling method, I might say that all of the "emo" track fans started this labelling difficulty. If they would not ***** such a lot approximately their favourite track being hated by way of different rock lovers then I do not feel folks might make a massive deal approximately what folks must be paying attention to at the moment.

Answer 4

It started as a music genre short for 'emotional,' and now it's supposed to be a subculture of people with a bunch of black hair dye and make up who listen to emo music and cut themselves. Then there are people who argue that it's just music. Why don't they argue that just because someone listens to some kind of music it doesn't mean they are suicidal instead? Nobody cares what something that isn't even a real word means. The end.

Answer 5

My teenage daughter considers herself EMO. When I asked what it means, she said that its not something you can define, its a way of life. We got a pretty good chuckle out of that one. Anyway - she identifies people who are EMO as listening to a particular style of music (as mentioned in other answers) as well as dress, mannerisms, and makeup. So for example if we see a boy who has on nail polish and eye liner, she says he is definitely EMO. I apologize I don't have a better definition for you. I have actually been wondering if the term originated from the comedian Emo Phillips who used to wear a lot of makeup and talk about how horrible his life is. I think her definition of EMO music are the bands "My Chemical Romance" and "From First To Last"

Answer 6

Emo people are classified as sad, depressed cutters. They listen to emo bands like simple plan that are whining bands about how bad their lives suck. They have longer dark hair usually in their eyes.
I've met some cool emo people in my day. They're very creative people.
But, as with most "groups" not everyone is exactly the same.

Answer 7

emo orginally was a style of music, emotive hardcore.

but that was in the late 80's and has since died.

now emo is 'emotional', a mix between sissy, goth, skater, punk.

they are usually marked by being depressed over things that really arent that depressing (i broke up w/ my girl, now im gonna cry a lot and cut myself) but i dont think ppl are really like that.

so emo means someone who is similar to that sterotype. they also listen to punk and 'emo' music(not the original emo, the new not really emo music) and go to mosh pits.

Answer 8

EMO is short for emotional. People usually are labeled that if there are really punk (black hair, makeup, etc.). It is a term that people refer to someone who looks like they cut themselves or listen to really depressing music.

Answer 9

EMO means emotional. People label other people that possibly because they listen to different music. =]

Answer 10

Emo is short for emotional.
It started as a genre of music, and people adapted to their lives.
I guess, they're emotional...and sad? It's a bit cliche, and more of a fad than a real social group.

Answer 11

Everyone hit the nail on the head, but to sum it up, emos are generally *****/retarted!