Camp (2024)

Not to be confused with Campcore, an aesthetic about camping, the activity taking place in nature.


Camp is a style and sensibility that seeks to express irony and subversion of mainstream society through deliberately assuming a gaudy aesthetic. As described by Susan Sontag, the academic who codified the term, its characteristics are: "artifice, frivolity, naïve middle-class pretentiousness, and shocking excess".[1] It is utilized in multiple mediums including film, fashion, theatre, music, and even modes of speech.

The aesthetic concept is popular within the gay community because of gay men being perceived by mainstream society as less masculine and worthy of ostracization. Camp becomes a way for them to exaggerate the effeminate and taboo parts of themselves as a rebellion against what society perceives a man should be, and the culture's behavior and camp inform each other. For example, drag shows, the gay "accent," and cult films popular within the LGBT community such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show are examples of camp.

Defined by Merriam Webster: "Absurdly exaggerated, artificial, or affected in a usually humorous way." This Definition gives the "Campy" aesthetic an incredibly wide reach, while still fitting within the genre. While many things can and do fall within this definition, there are some that are deeply associated with "camp".

Contents

  • 1 Common Types of Camp
    • 1.1 Horror
    • 1.2 Old Film
    • 1.3 20s media/Aesthetics
    • 1.4 80s media/Aesthetics
    • 1.5 Drag[2]
    • 1.6 Theatre
    • 1.7 Parody
  • 2 High Camp[3]
    • 2.1 Examples
  • 3 Low Camp
    • 3.1 Examples
  • 4 Visuals
  • 5 Media
    • 5.1 Movies
    • 5.2 Musicals
    • 5.3 Television
    • 5.4 Music
    • 5.5 Other
  • 6 Notable Figures/Artists
  • 7 Gallery
  • 8 Resources

Common Types of Camp

Horror

The "Campy Horror" genre is incredibly popular, with countless pieces of media that fall within it.

Old Film

Older film such as Film Noir, 50's movies, and other such media have a campy aesthetic when viewed today.

20s media/Aesthetics

The Flapper Aesthetic, Great Gatsby, and Art Deco all very often fall into the genre of camp when portrayed in media.

80s media/Aesthetics

Much of 80s media is loaded with camp, and was part of the culture then as well as the current appreciation of it now.

Drag[2]

Drag is commonly associated with camp, and has been adopted by the community.

Theatre

Camp is Very common within theatre.

Parody

Camp is a very effective tool in parody media, and is used by artists such as Mel Brookes, Steve Martin, and

High Camp[3]

Intentional Camp.

Examples
  • Rocky Horror Picture Show
  • SpaceBalls
  • RuPaul's Drag Race

Low Camp

Unintentional Camp. While not meant to be camp, it still hits all the boxes.

Examples
  • The Room
  • Nyan Neko Sugar Girls
  • Sonichu

Visuals

There are no "official visuals" of camp, as the word itself needs to be used in the context of who is performing camp. For example, Marilyn Monroe's white dress flaring up in the subway grates is not camp itself, but when another person mimics her actions in a highly exaggerated parody, it will be considered camp. This is especially true if the person doing the Monroe parody is doing so in a way to mock the white male gaze.

It is also difficult to classify visuals because camp is unlimited, and highly dependent on the individual's unique perspective.

  • Drag shows
  • Exaggerated movements such as batting eyelashes, dancing, etc.
  • "Tacky" materials such as sequins, plastic, and rhinestones

Media

Movies

  • Rocky Horror Picture Show
  • Showgirls
  • Serial Mom
  • Barbarella
  • Flash Gordon
  • The Evil Dead
  • Attack of the Killer Tomatoes
  • Addams Family
  • Death Becomes Her
  • What We Do In The Shadows
  • Naked Gun
  • Dracula: Dead and Loving It
  • Elvira
  • Young Frankenstein
  • Ghost
  • Shaun of the Dead
  • The Blob
  • Sharknado
  • Snakes on a Plane
  • Clue
  • Murder by Death
  • Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
  • Chucky
  • Bride of Frankenstein
  • Camp Rock
  • High School Musical
  • Monty Python

Musicals

  • Rocky Horror Picture Show
  • Little Shop of Horrors
  • Cats
  • Chicago
  • Jesus Christ Superstar
  • The Wiz
  • Into the Woods

Television

  • RuPaul's Drag Race
  • What We Do In The Shadows
  • Jojo's Bizarre Adventure
  • American Horror Story
  • Kids in the Hall

Music

  • Love Shack - The B52's
  • Witch Doctor -The Chipmunks
  • Muskrat Love - Captain & Tennille
  • Beverly Hills - Weezer
  • Fashion - David Bowie
  • Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
  • Trash - Alice Cooper
  • Hot Dog - Led Zeppelin
  • Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds - Elton John
  • We Didn't Start the Fire - Billy Joel

Other

  • Vaudeville
  • Tiffany Lamps
  • Camp Fashion

Notable Figures/Artists

  • Lady Gaga
  • Mel Brooks
  • RuPaul
  • Katy Perry
  • Marilyn Monroe
  • Doris Day
  • Tim Curry
  • Jack Black
  • Steve Martin
  • Jeremy Scott (fashion designer)
  • Madonna
  • John Waters

Gallery

Resources

Camp (2024)

FAQs

What does camp mean slang? ›

If you describe someone's behavior, performance, or style of dress as camp, you mean that it is exaggerated and amusing, often in a way that is thought to be typical of some male hom*osexuals. [informal]

What does camp mean for a girl? ›

What is camp in fashion? Camp is “something that provides sophisticated, knowing amusem*nt, as by virtue of it being artlessly mannered or stylized, self-consciously artificial and extravagant, or teasingly ingenuous and sentimental.” Its adjective form is campy.

What is the Viking word for camp? ›

From Old Norse kampr.

What does camp mean LGBT? ›

The first English definition of the term, which appeared in a 1909 edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, conformed to popular, contemporary notions of camp: “ostentatious, exaggerated, affected, theatrical; effeminate or hom*osexual; pertaining to, characteristic of, hom*osexuals…” If not synonymous with ...

What does camp mean in drugs? ›

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) was the original “second messenger” to be discovered. Its formation is promoted by adenylyl cyclase activation after ligation of G protein–coupled receptors by ligands including hormones, autocoids, prostaglandins, and pharmacologic agents.

What does camp mean in social work? ›

What is Social Work Camp? Social work camps intend to make students better understand community life, people's needs and problems. It prepares students to formulate a plan of action for resolving community issues.

What does camp mean in slang movies? ›

In retrospect, many classic movies are now viewed as camp although not intended at the time. In essence, camp is an aesthetic style and sensibility that admires bad taste and ironic value. Camp questions art and beauty; it's theatrical, effeminate, witty and knowing. It's a smile, a nudge and a wink.

What is camp aesthetic? ›

Camp is a style and sensibility that seeks to express irony and subversion of mainstream society through deliberately assuming a gaudy aesthetic. As described by Susan Sontag, the academic who codified the term, its characteristics are: "artifice, frivolity, naïve middle-class pretentiousness, and shocking excess".

What does camp mean in fashion? ›

At its core, free of context, camp stands in for an exaggerated, kitschy amalgamation that's simultaneously ironic, over the top, and intentionally tacky. From here, though, a creator may opt to make something campy.

What does camp mean in the Bible? ›

A temporary settlement for nomadic and military people. In the Old Testament English translators usually use “camp” or “encampment” to translate Hebrew machaneh . A machaneh is a temporary settlement of travelers or warriors. Before the settlement in the Promised Land, Israel was a group of tribes on the move.

What does camp mean in Gen Z? ›

Camp – A word used to describe something as ironically trendy. TFW – Stands for “That Feeling When“. For example, TFW you get off of work early. Woke – Being politically aware.

What does camp mean in slag? ›

gives this as the closest meaning, "Having deliberately artificial, vulgar, banal, or affectedly humorous qualities or style: played up the silliness of their roles for camp effect." - not quite meaning "effeminate". It also says of this definition, "origin unknown".

What does camp boy mean? ›

DEFINITIONS2. a man who is camp behaves in a way that does not follow traditional ideas about male behaviour, especially in order to attract attention. Synonyms and related words. Describing or relating to men and boys. male.

What was camp original meaning? ›

camp (n.) 1520s, "place where an army lodges temporarily," from French camp, in this sense from Italian campo, from Latin campus "open field, level space," especially "open space for military exercise" (see campus).

Why is it called camp? ›

Camp in this sense has been suggested to have possibly derived from the French term se camper, meaning "to pose in an exaggerated fashion". Later, it evolved into a general description of the aesthetic choices and behavior of working-class gay men.

What does camp mean in the army? ›

camp, in military service, an area for temporary or semipermanent sheltering of troops. In most usage the word camp signifies an installation more elaborate and durable than a bivouac but less so than a fort or billet.

What does cAMP mean in slang reddit? ›

tutetibiimperes • 1 yr. ago. Additional comment actions. It's used sometimes too broadly, but in general it means overly exaggerated, very extra, extremely theatrical in an overdone way, but crucially also self-aware about it.

What makes something campy? ›

: in the style of camp : absurdly exaggerated, artificial, or affected in a usually humorous way. campy horror movies. campy humor. Witnessing their synchronized routine, he almost expects them to break into some campy chorus line from one of the seedier nightclubs.

What does cAMP mean in drag? ›

“Campy” drag is a traditional type of drag (the opposite of a female/male impersonator, who attempts to look as womanly/manly as possible) where everything is exaggerated and over the top. When people hear “camp queen”, they think of comedy queens like Nina West, Bianca Del Rio, and Bob the Drag Queen.

What is and isn t camp? ›

Definitions of the term vary by generation, but everyone seems to agree that if isn't fun, it isn't camp. Camp is teasing, impractical and fun-loving. Camp is catchy, a little obnoxious and flirts with (but refuses to be depressed by) tackiness.

What does camp horror mean? ›

A "campy" horror movie is a type of horror movie that is characterized by its over-the-top or exaggerated elements, such as cheesy special effects, hammy acting, and a general sense of absurdity or kitsch.

How much does it cost to go to the Met Gala? ›

How much does it cost to attend the Met Gala? Just because you receive an invitation does not mean you don't have to pay to get in. Tickets are more than $52,000 (US$32,000). Many celebrities who attend don't pay for their own ticket.

Is campy a bad thing? ›

campy Add to list Share. Use the adjective campy to describe something that has a ridiculous, wacky appeal. Some movies are so exaggeratedly bad that they've got a campy kind of charm. Anything you describe as "so bad it's good" is probably campy.

What is campy urban dictionary? ›

From the Urban Dictionary: “Camp” n. or “Campy” adj. refers to intentionally exaggerated thematic or genre elements, especially in television and motion picture mediums. “Camp” style willfully over-emphasizes certain elements of the genre or theme, creating an almost self-satirical milieu.

What does camp mean pop culture? ›

On social media, the term "camp" can refer to a particular aesthetic or style characterized by being deliberately exaggerated, theatrical, ironic, and often kitschy/over-the-top.

What is the 2023 Met Gala theme? ›

Met Gala 2023 looks: See photos of the red carpet arrivals

While past themes like "camp" and "punk" have given attendees broad creative leeway, this year's theme honors not a concept, but a person: "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" is intended to honor the late designer, who died in 2019 at age 85.

What does camp looking mean? ›

If you describe someone's behaviour, performance, or style of dress as camp, you mean that it is exaggerated and amusing.

Does camp mean flamboyant? ›

Though in modern usage “camp” is often used as synonymous to “kitschy” or “flamboyant.”

What defines a camp shirt? ›

: a usually short-sleeved shirt having a notched collar and often patch pockets.

What is high camp style? ›

Definition of 'high camp'

1. effeminate; affected in mannerisms, dress, etc. 2. consciously artificial, exaggerated, vulgar, or mannered; self-parodying, esp when in dubious taste.

When did the word camp start? ›

The first usage of the term Camp in reference to aestheticism was in 1909, when it became part of “hom*osexual slang” (Merriam Webster), though perhaps camp sensibilities can be traced back to the lavishness of 18th century France (Sontag, 1964).

What type of word is camp? ›

camp (noun) camp (verb) camping (noun) camp bed (noun)

What kind of name is camp? ›

Camp is an English surname taken from Latin roots. The name is found in Great Britain and in other places throughout the world settled by the English. According to the 2000 census there are fewer than 1300 Camps in the UK.

What does camp mean in America? ›

Meaning of camp in Essential American English Dictionary

an area where people stay in tents for a short time, usually on vacation: We set up camp near a stream.

What is boot camp slang for? ›

Etymology. From boot in the US military slang sense of “new recruit” + camp.

What does camp mean in drag race? ›

Campy. A type of traditional, over-the-top drag. Campy queens usually don't intend to be a female impersonator, they're traditional, original, & over-the-top.

What does camp mean in slang reddit? ›

tutetibiimperes • 1 yr. ago. Additional comment actions. It's used sometimes too broadly, but in general it means overly exaggerated, very extra, extremely theatrical in an overdone way, but crucially also self-aware about it.

What does camp mean in style? ›

Camp is an aesthetic style and sensibility that regards something as appealing because of its bad taste and ironic value.

Is Campy a bad thing? ›

campy Add to list Share. Use the adjective campy to describe something that has a ridiculous, wacky appeal. Some movies are so exaggeratedly bad that they've got a campy kind of charm. Anything you describe as "so bad it's good" is probably campy.

What is boot in American slang? ›

Slang. a dismissal; discharge: They gave him the boot for coming in late.

What is boot camp like for girls? ›

For women, the BCT experience is almost identical to that of men, with only a few differences. For the most part, BCT for women is not about having a different, gender-specific experience so much as sharing the human experience of being torn down and built back up into a soldier.

Is boot camp still a thing? ›

The first adult boot camp program started in Georgia in 1983. Today, more than 70 boot camp programs are operating in more than 30 States.

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