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EyeSeeYou Posted 14 years ago
Vocabulary

Straigth Edge

Straight Edge refers to a group of people who refrain from using alcohol, drugs and tobacco.

My question has more to do with the analysis of the word, though. "Straight" is an adjective; "edge" a noun. But why have edge here? How can an edge be possibly straight? Or bent, for that matter? It makes no sense to me. Or am I missing something here?

Thx.
  

Top answer

w=straightedge&ls=a So the name of the group is wordplay. I don't see that 'straightedge' has anything more to do with such a group, but it is indeed a group that is trying to 'go straight' (get off of drugs and alcohol) and the organization functions at the 'edge' of their change from being users to being abstainers. 'Edge' also means 'competitive advantage', so that may be further wordplay in the name.

— Mister Micawber

  • w=straightedge&ls=a So the name of the group is wordplay.
  • I don't see that 'straightedge' has anything more to do with such a group, but it is indeed a group that is trying to 'go straight' (get off of drugs and alcohol) and the organization functions at the 'edge' of their change from being users to being abstainers.
  • 'Edge' also means 'competitive advantage', so that may be further wordplay in the name.
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1 Answers
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First, 'straightedge' has a meaning: http://www.onelook.com/?w=straightedge&ls=a

So the name of the group is wordplay. I don't see that 'straightedge' has anything more to do with such a group, but it is indeed a group that is trying to 'go
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