CAMP: A sensibility that revels in artifice, stylization, theatricalization, irony, playfulness, and exaggeration rather than content, as Susan Sontag famously defined the term in her short essay, "Notes on 'Camp.'" According to Sontag, "Camp sensibility is disengaged, depoliticized—or at least apolitical"; however, some postmodernists, feminists, and queer theorists have explored the ways that camp (for example, the drag show) can trouble the belief that gender is "natural" or inherent, and can therefore work against heteronormativity. As Sontag argues, "Not all homosexuals have Camp taste. But homosexuals, by and large, constitute the vanguard—and the most articulate audience—of Camp." By exaggerating sexual characteristics and personality mannerisms, such queer-inflected camp could be said to contend that all behavior is really performative. Camp is also tied to postmodernism. As Sontag puts it, "Camp sees everything in quotation marks. It's not a lamp, but a 'lamp; not a woman, but a 'woman.'" In this way, the term resembles Linda Hutcheon's very similar understanding of parody, which Hutcheon offers as one of the major characteristics of postmodern art. (See the Hutcheon module on parody.) Camp's relationship to kitsch is a close one; camp could be said to be a self-conscious kitsch. As Sontag writes, "Many examples of Camp are things which, from a 'serious' point of view, are either bad art or kitsch," though she also acknowledges that "some art which can be approached as Camp... merits the most serious admiration and study." Sontag also distinguishes between "pure camp," which amounts to a kitsch that takes itself so seriously that we can now see it as hilarious (in other words, the camp sensibility is on the side of the audience not the author of the work), and "Camp which knows itself to be camp" and is, therefore, already making fun of itself. (Click here for Sontag's article.)
FAQs
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 homosexuals.
What is the true meaning of camp? ›
noun. a place where an army or other group of persons or an individual is lodged in a tent or tents or other temporary means of shelter. such tents or shelters collectively: The regiment transported its camp in trucks.
What is the other meaning of camp? ›
a. : a place usually away from urban areas where tents or simple buildings (such as cabins) are erected for shelter or for temporary residence (as for laborers, prisoners, or vacationers) migrant labor camp. b. : a group of tents, cabins, or huts.
What makes something campy? ›
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.
What is camp in Gen Z slang? ›
18. Camp. Something that is ironically trendy. One might consider Crocs to be of the camp aesthetic.
What is the queer definition of 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 it mean when someone says your camp? ›
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 camp an abbreviation for? ›
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate is a small, hydrophilic molecule commonly known as cyclic AMP or cAMP, which is an important intracellular second messenger molecule regulated in many physiological processes.
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 is a camp Oxford dictionary? ›
Quick Reference. Standing out from the background, or theatrical posturing. Camp taste is concerned with affectation, artificiality, playfulness, and theatricality, and historically is therefore associated with vogues for Chinoiserie, Gothick, and the exotic.
Examples from Collins dictionaries
We'll make camp on that hill ahead. We camped near the beach. For six months they camped out in a caravan in a meadow at the back of the house. While the 'yes' camp remains in the lead, the jump in numbers of undecideds will cause alarm.
What is the definition of the name camp? ›
English: from Middle English kempe 'warrior'; see Kemp . The spelling Camp may be due to the influence of Old English camp 'battle' and campian 'to fight' or of Old French campion 'warrior champion'. French: mainly southern form of Champ . Similar surnames: Kamp, Camps, Campi, Champ, Cap, Campo, Damp, Ramp, Camm, Cain.
What does it mean if something is camp? ›
What does camp mean as slang? Today, camp is used as slang to describe something over-the-top – eccentric, ridiculous, unexpected, striking, out-of-the-ordinary.
What things are considered camp? ›
CAMP: A sensibility that revels in artifice, stylization, theatricalization, irony, playfulness, and exaggeration rather than content, as Susan Sontag famously defined the term in her short essay, "Notes on 'Camp.
What does it mean if someone calls you campy? ›
: in the style of camp : absurdly exaggerated, artificial, or affected in a usually humorous way.
