A Cultural History of the Word ‘Weird,’ From ‘Macbeth’ to Tim Walz

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A Cultural History of the Word ‘Weird,’ From ‘Macbeth’ to Tim Walz

As a linguistics enthusiast who has spent countless hours delving into the intricacies of language evolution and meaning shifts, I find the story of “weird” absolutely fascinating. Growing up in the 70s, I remember hearing this term used quite differently than it is today. In my youth, “weird” was often synonymous with strange, alienating, or even frightening.

Has one word ever decided an election?

It’s looking like we might soon discover something. The word at issue here is “unusual,” a term that a kindergartner could grasp, and it’s turning out to be very helpful for Kamala Harris in her effort to beat Donald Trump in the election coming up in November.

The term has experienced a significant surge in usage since 1980, as indicated by a chart from Google’s Ngram Viewer, up until the year 2022. However, based on trends, we can expect this line to climb even higher once it hits the year 2024.

The whole scenario unfolded when Minnesota Governor Tim Walz made a seemingly offhand remark in a speech, which has since spread rapidly, similar to a viral infection. The term “weird” has shown an uncanny ability to stick and be effective, potentially influencing Harris’ choice of Walz as her vice presidential candidate. During their first joint appearance at a rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Walz reiterated the label: “They are definitely creepy, and yes, incredibly weird,” referring to Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance.

According to Michael Adams, an English professor at Indiana University Bloomington who focuses on the study of words and their meanings, it’s intriguing to observe how a word adapts and changes with the flow of time.

The term originates from the Middle Ages, where it was initially used as “wyrd,” an Old English noun meaning “the destined event.” Later, in the context of Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth,” written approximately in 1606, it transformed into an adjective, referring to the three witches or ‘weird sisters.’

As a gamer, I’d put it like this: “When it comes to the eerie and the otherworldly, these beings are the real deal – they can predict your destiny! So, next time you encounter such strange entities, don’t dismiss them lightly. They’re all about the supernatural.”

Initially, the term “weird” took off as an adjective, gaining widespread usage. The more common it became, however, the less precise its definition seemed to be. As Adams points out, adjectives help us describe things and people, and we humans have a knack for using such words in various contexts to judge others subtly. Therefore, a versatile word like “weird” can be applied in numerous situations to offer nuanced evaluations of people’s behavior.

Through time, the term “weird” shifted its meaning from being associated with the supernatural, to describing things as odd, eccentric, unusual, or surprising.

By the 1920s, “The Call of Cthulhu” by H.P. Lovecraft, initially published in the fantasy and horror fiction magazine “Weird Tales”, started to seep into mainstream culture. In 1953, EC Comics introduced the first issue of the comics series titled “Weird Science”, which was released alongside its companion publication, “Weird Fantasy”.

Initially, portraying the mysterious and strange as “weird” made it appealing, particularly for young male comic book readers. Later, the title “Weird Science” was used in a 1985 film directed by John Hughes, featuring Anthony Michael Hall, Robert Downey Jr., and Kelly LeBrock as characters who create their ideal woman with a computer. In this context, “weird” was redefined to mean cool, humorous, and sexy.

By the late 1950s, the word “weirdo” shifted back to being a noun. According to Adams, this was because it had become an intense way of describing someone. He added that neither Governor Walz nor Vice President Harris have publicly called Trump a “weirdo,” but when it started carrying such negative connotations like dislike, unease or disrespect for another person, it really took on that meaning as a term.

In the 1960s, the expressions “to get weird” or “to get weirded out” started being used. These terms share a resemblance with their counterparts “to get freaked” and “to get freaked out.”

As a gamer, when I encounter something like that, it feels troubling to me. It makes me uncomfortable and detached. For those who grew up during that era, the connotations of ‘weird’ are quite negative, indeed. Harris and Walz were born in 1964, which perfectly positions them for this usage.

However, an intriguing development unfolded in the 1970s, and it was “Weird Al” Yankovic, known for hits like “Like a Surgeon” and “Eat It,” who initiated it. In 1977, while he was a second-year architecture student at California Polytechnic State University, his peers affectionately (or not so affectionately) dubbed him “Weird Al,” reflecting his unique quirks.

When he landed a gig as a university radio disc jockey, Weird Al Yankovic turned the derogatory nickname into a key aspect of his public identity. (Upon request for comment, Yankovic’s manager noted that the comedian prefers to keep a distance from this topic.)

As “Weird Al” gained prominence on pop music charts, the perception of the term “weird” transformed significantly, moving from an unpleasant or negative connotation to a charming and endearing one. Around the same time, the phrase “weird and wonderful” also rose in popularity, reaching its height in 1993.

Adams suggests that if he were part of the Trump campaign, he’d embrace the slogan “Weird and Wonderful” because it uses ‘weird’ in a positive way. In journalism from the 1970s onwards, this phrase can be found. If he was with the Trump team, he would argue, “Of course he’s weird! He’s weird and wonderful!” This would present a different kind of ‘weirdness’ than what Democrats are using to portray former President Trump.

As we moved into the new millennium, the term transformed once more, becoming something so inspiring it was worth championing. The phrase “Keep Austin Weird” was initially coined by Red Wassenich in 2000. Wassenich, a local writer, is said to have made this call on a local radio station KOOP and proposed the challenge, along with a donation. He subsequently started putting the slogan on bumper stickers and created the website keepaustinweird.com.

Wassenich’s term gained immense popularity, similar to the word “weird.” This catchy phrase eventually became the rallying cry for the Austin Independent Business Alliance, advocating for local businesses. It can be found on T-shirts, caps, and mugs. Since then, it has been embraced by Portland (in 2003), Louisville (in 2005), and Indianapolis (in 2013).

“Adams shares that his 12-year-old daughter owns an exceptional sweatshirt with the phrase ‘Everyone is unique.’ He explains that this slogan carries the idea: ‘If you’re different, you’re captivating, as you genuinely embody yourself.’ This indeed echoes its initial sentiment, reminding us of the acceptance and admiration for being true to oneself.”

In simpler terms, a straightforward 60-year-old candidate for vice president from Minnesota managed to restore the uncomfortable and exclusionary meanings of ‘weird’.

“Governor Waltz’s age might make him view this peculiarity as something unusual because it deviates from our traditional notions of what is normal, according to Adams,” translates to: “Adams suggests that Governor Waltz, due to his advanced years, may find this oddity strange since it doesn’t align with our typical expectations about how things should be.”

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2024-08-08 00:26