culture

The pervasive societal tendency, especially following the Me Too movement, to "cancel" (permanently reject, spurn, disregard, or dismiss) a celebrity or other public figure who has committed or been accused of criminal, offensive, or otherwise troublesome actions, especially sexual misconduct or bigoted statements. The term is often used to be critical of such a tendency. In our current cancel culture, some celebrities are being destroyed for relatively benign mistakes that they would have previously been able to apologize for and learn from. I think we can all appreciate how cancel culture has successfully taken power away from prominent people who are, in fact, criminals.

A person, either real or mythical, who embodies or is seen as the foundation of the cultural values or achievements of a society, group of people, or period of time. Karl Marx became both a villain to those opposed to Communist ideology and a culture hero for those who embraced the ideals of Socialism. Mythical figures such as Cúchulainn and historical figures like Brian Boru have long been held as culture heroes in Ireland.

A sudden feeling of confusion or surprise when confronted by an unfamiliar situation or cultural environment. It is often a huge culture shock for American women traveling to the Middle East when they are expected to wear head scarves and be accompanied by a man at all times.

Someone who has an avid interest in the arts. Helen is quite the culture vulture. She attends the theater at least once a month.

A society whose widespread views and actions (such as victim blaming and dismissive attitudes toward sexual trauma) have the effect of normalizing rape. A rape culture ignores and thus perpetuates the devastating physical and psychological effects of rape.

someone whom one considers to be excessively interested in the (classical) arts. She won't go to a funny film. She's a real culture vulture. They watch only highbrow television. They're culture vultures.

A state of confusion and anxiety experienced by someone upon encountering an alien environment. For example, It's not just jet lag-it's the culture shock of being in a new country. This term was first used by social scientists to describe, for example, the experience of a person moving from the country to a big city. It is now used more loosely, as in the example. [Late 1930s]

An individual with a consuming or excessive interest in the arts. For example, A relentless culture vulture, she dragged her children to every museum in town. This slangy term may have been originated by Ogden Nash, who wrote: "There is a vulture Who circles above The carcass of culture" ( Free Wheeling, 1931). [1940s]