How would you define the word emo?

Question

My dad wants to know exactly what emo means.

Answer 1

Have your Dad read this from the urban dictionary.



http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=emo&page=6

Answer 2

Ha. I'd like to know what "emo" means. Sure, it's short for emotional, but that doesn't really define it, now does it.
The word certainly derives from "emotional," but describes (music, culture?) that's beyond just "emotional." So the word is idiomatic.
How about this definition from wikipedia. Do you agree with it?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emo_%28slang%29
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 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, for example, began to be associated with emo.
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 attitudes 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 3

I am unable to define the word, but glad someone else did: Perdenos gave a good answer. Emo would have only meant emotional to me had I not read that. . interesting. Now must find out what they are wearing - maybe my kids are emo and I don't know it.

Answer 4

Emotionally conflicted

Answer 5

emotional

Answer 6

emotional