When debating the true meaning of a word, one’s first move is usually to look it up in the dictionary. Contrary to popular belief, however, those who write the dictionary don’t define words from a place of all-knowing authority; instead, any lexicographer will tell you their job is to reflect “general usage”—to represent the contexts in which the majority of everyday speakers use a word at the time of its entry, even if that usage is controversial or problematic. So in reality, we all write the dictionary. And as language is constantly changing, a word’s “true” meaning doesn’t really exist. https://www.byrdie.com/history-word-pretty--5a7dee2ed8798
The Flipside
Real personal stories that challenge what "beauty" even means.
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Ever since Claire’s and Limited Too loomed large in many a late-’90s preteen vision board, wearable sparkle—usually in the form of body glitter, glitter makeup, and glitter body spray—has been a source of personal euphoria for many millennials. Glitter makeup, for me at least, was the stuff of fantasy and boundary-crossing—it was a way of straddling the line between prepubescent and full-blown teenager.
You wouldn’t know that stretch marks even existed looking at the images around us—they’ve been carefully photoshopped out of almost every picture we see. Of course, the reality is that an estimated 80% of people have stretch marks as a result of growth, hormonal fluctuations, or weight gain or loss.
This past Sunday, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South Africa was crowned Miss Universe 2017. Did you see the show? Do you even care?
“What are we doing today?” my hairdresser asked, as she did many times before over the last two years. “I don't know,” I replied, like always. “Surprise me.” http://www.byrdie.com/natural-hair-beauty-essay
Before I began ninth grade, my family moved. I'd spent the first 14 years of my life in the same house, same neighborhood, and, from first through eighth grade, same school.
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