Mainstream meaning (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Mainstream:

Mainstream is an anglicism that means dominant trend or fashion. The literary translation of the term mainstream is " popular stream ."

The term mainstream in English is made up of 2 expressions: " main " which means " main " and " stream" which expresses " current or flow ". The expression mainstream was first used to designate the main part of a river, the English poet Milton used the referred term in his book "Paradise" to describe the most important river in the Garden of Eden which was divided into 4 important parts.

In reference to the above, the meaning that is currently given to the term mainstream came many years later. In 1831, the British historian and essayist Thomas Carlyle used this term in an article that was published in the newspaper "Quartertly Review", a newspaper that combined literary styles and politics, always referring to the mainstream.

Currently, the term mainstream is used to designate music, art, fashion, literature that have great means for their commercialization, reaching a large group of people and achieving international success. There are several examples of music, art or fashion that are part of the mainstream term such as: pop music, one of the most popular and successful musical genres in the world because its songs that address topics with which the public can feel identified, well be in love, life, among others. In reference to fashion, it is what is used today and is worn by people who are capable of influencing others.

However, mainstream culture has been studied by various authors such as the French writer, journalist and researcher Frédéric Martel through his book "On World War of Cultures", the social media and the internet support this culture achieving its growth in the population.

Mainstream and underground

The opposite of the term mainstream is underground . The term underground means " underground ", it is a culture characterized by not following commercial patterns and, being outside the main culture, that is, mainstream . The underground expression is related to music, art, literature, films, fashion that are not available to a large number of people and, therefore, is not internationally recognized. Certain musics are considered as underground : punk rock, gothic, metal, among others.

Mainstream hipster

The Hipster is a subculture that is connected to the underground culture, ie, is far from the common style, adapted and appreciated by many people. Therefore, a hipster mainstream is a hispter person who maintains a strong connection with the term mainstream , for example: a hipster person who listens to pop music, that is, mainstream , can be considered a follower of the mainstream with a hipster appearance.