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Where does the word "avant-garde" come from? It comes from French avant-garde, and was adopted directly into English (1910s).
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Where does the word "avant-garde" come from? It comes from French avant-garde, and was adopted directly into English (1910s).
Avant-garde’s story begins in French: avant-garde meant “the vanguard of an army.” Literally advance guard, the vanguard troops leading an army. It reached English by 1910s as avant-garde. Adopted for artists and ideas pushing boldly ahead of convention. Today, avant-garde means new and experimental ideas or methods, especially in the arts.
- Stage 1 · French · medieval avant-garde "the vanguard of an army", literally advance guard, the vanguard troops leading an army.
- Stage 2 · English · 1910s avant-garde "new and unconventional ideas, especially in the arts", adopted for artists and ideas pushing boldly ahead of convention.