What is the real meaning of the label *emo*?

Question

Everyone thinks they are *Emo* now adays.... or they think it is soo cool. I'm not saying that I'm against Emo's or anything....but it's the people that give bad names to *Emo*'s that I'm against... and idk...but please!... give me the true definition of Emo.

Answer 1

Emo is a somewhat ambiguous, controversial slang term, most frequently used to describe a fashion or subculture which is usually defined to have roots in punk fashion and subculture as well as some attributes of gothic fashion and subculture.t is loosely defined, and its meaning varies by region, but most definitions share a number of similarities.

Emo was not always used as slang referring to a subculture. The term was born in the 1980s to describe a genre of music stemming from the hardcore punk music scene in Washington, D.C. Early bands labeled emo

The word has more recently been used to describe a subculture as a slang term, but still describes a music genre as well. The term emo as a music genre has become broader and broader with time, and now is loosely understood to mean "rock music with emotionally-based lyrics or effect." Bands included in the genre range from Bright Eyes to The Get Up Kids to Sunny Day Real Estate. The term is so loosely defined because its definition is still the subject of debate.Emo now often refers to a person's fashion, personality, or both, as well as the music genre.
Emo fashion is usually defined to have roots in punk fashion as well as gothic fashion. By almost all definitions, emo clothing is characterized by tight jeans on males and females alike, long bangs often brushed to one side of the face, dyed black hair, tight t-shirts (often bearing the names of emo bands), studded belts, belt buckles, Chuck Taylor All-Stars or other black shoes (often old and beaten up), and thick, black-rimmed glasses

example
Typical male "emo hair": Long bangs brushed over one eye with short hair in the back

Caricature of stereotypical emo fashion
Personality
When referring to a person's personality and attitude, most definitions of emo hold that an "emo person" is candid about their emotions, sensitive, shy, introverted, broken-hearted, glum, and often quiet.


Self-harm and emo
Some definitions of emo hold that a typical "emo person" is likely to inflict self-injury, most often by means of cutting, burning, or otherwise mutilating themself.This part of the definition of the term is highly controversial, and it is frequently a point of debate.


Grammar
As a slang word, "emo" is not defined by standard English dictionaries, and thus, its grammatical usage is not either. In popular usage, it can be used as either a noun or adjective.


Examples of usage
Adjective ; All of my friends are emo.
Adjective ; I feel emo today.
Noun: Sally is such an emo.


References in popular culture
The popular VOIP client Skype comes standard with an "emo" emoticon which has black hair and long bangs

Answer 2

Years ago it was just a name for a type of alt rock music that was more emotional than most. Now it is just a label for kids who enjoy being sad and the guys dress and act gay and wear makeup while the girls fawn all over them and usually fat and have bad hair. They all like to think they're unique and original while really they're just being incredibly trendy. They listen to bad music like my chemical romance and fallout boy. Check out myspace for some good examples of emo.

Answer 3

I was under the impression it was short for "emotional" and that it related to music - i.e. bands and singers singing about their emotions. I listen to some of the bands considered emo. I don't really get the label - doesn't every singer/band sing about emotions?

It seems to also be a fashion look that consists of wearing black clothes and eyeliner. Seems to me that is the same as the gothic look.

Answer 4

True definition of emo? A genre of music.
But for the 'emo' you're talking about it's a kid who dresses in tight band tshirts, tight girl jeans (guys)
And also, sometimes, I guess they could be classified as depressed, or emotional, hence the name emo.
But it's really not a label and anyone who labels themself as 'emo' is retarded.

Answer 5

how u tell an emo is a emo they were bright clothes,bright eye shawdow,cut themselves,where tight pants,thats i think all i can tell u cause i have a friend that is emo and she is all of that i put some ppl just say there emo cause they know they cant be and want to stand out

Answer 6

Look it up on Wikipedia (spelling?); it's actually a pretty deep concept, for those, and ONLY those who've "been emo" before the whole fad started. Those are the only true emo kids, and the only ones I respect for it.

Answer 7

The true definition of emo- emotional
So all it is, is a bunch of people who have lots of problems and like to cry alot.
(i am an emo so i am not trying to insult anyone!)

Answer 8

Ok first emo sucks.

ys it does stand for emotional and its from music that often deals with loss of love or pain. The term emo come s from music that is about lossing a loved one or being hurt and often is sad music. Emo kids are assocaited with being cutters and the kid who goes and sits in the coner and cries. where im from emo is not cool ts one step above nerd

Answer 9

emo = emotional

Answer 10

emo stands for emotional i think lol o well