1

Bohemians

Image: Kinga Howard

Bohemianism, an original subculture that ended up lending its name as an adjective often used to describe other subcultures, is a social and cultural movement that embraces a way of life away from society's conventional norms and expectations . The term comes from the French bohème , and it was used to describe mid-19th-century non-traditional lifestyles, especially those of artists, writers, journalists, musicians, and actors.

Today, the term is used to describe anyone who shows disdain for money, dresses in hippie fashion (more on this later), and appreciates everything art-related.

2

Greasers

Image: Alberto Bigoni

Think John Travolta in _Grease_—yes, Grease . Think Biff Tannen in the 1950s segment of Back to the Future . Greasers emerged in the 1950s and early 1960s from predominantly working-class and lower-class teenagers and young adults in the United States and Canada.

An interest in cars, motorcycles, leather jackets, jeans, and rock music was the common theme among greasers. According to some sources, the subculture’s name was applied to its members partly because of their characteristic greased-back hair.

3

Beatniks

Image: Clem Onojeghuo

The first subculture on this list to adopt the adjective "bohemian," beatniks were a mid-20th-century social movement that embraced an anti-materialistic lifestyle, rejecting consumerism and expressing themselves through art, spirituality, drugs, and sexuality.

The term "beat" was first used by Jack Kerouac in 1948 to describe his group of friends and fellow writers, including Allen Ginsberg, William S. Burroughs, and Neal Cassady. Kerouac said that "beat" had multiple meanings, such as "beaten down," "beatific," "beat up," and "beat out." Beatniks are often stereotyped as wearing black clothing, and speaking in hip slang that incorporates words like "cool," "dig," "groovy," and "square."

4

Hippies

Image: Trevar Skillicorn-Chilver

One of the most famous countercultures of all time, hippies are deeply associated with the 1960s. The term "hippie" originally came from "hipster" (more on this later) and was used to describe the aforementioned Beatniks, who were "hip" to all things sophisticated and fashionable. In fact, early hippies adopted much of the language and values of the Beat Generation.

The festivals of Human Be-In (1967), Monterey (1967), and Woodstock (1969) popularized hippie culture, with its fashion and values influencing culture, popular music, television, film, literature, and the arts. Since the 1960s, mainstream society has assimilated many aspects of Hippie culture.

5

Mods

Image: Michael Schofield

The Mods were a group of stylish, London-based young men and women in the late 1950s, named for their preference for modern jazz. This subculture was known for its distinctive fashion, including tailor-made suits, as well as its love for music and scooters.

By the mid-1960s, their musical tastes had shifted toward rock and blues, with bands like The Who and Small Faces gaining popularity among Mods. Mod fashion was a defining element of the "Swinging London" era, and during this time, the subculture spread to other countries, becoming emblematic of the larger youth culture of the period.

6

Punks

Image: Viktor Forgacs

Another popular subculture, thanks in no small part to its striking visual component, is the punk movement, which encompasses music, fashion, ideologies, dance, film, and visual arts, among other forms of expression. Its strong anti-establishment views, stances on individual freedom, and DIY ethic make punks easy to identify.

Punk fashion includes T-shirts, leather jackets, boots, distinctive hairstyles such as brightly colored hair and spiked mohawks, as well as cosmetics, tattoos, jewelry, and even body modification.

7

Yuppies

Image: Nick Fewings

Anyone who has seen the movies Wall Street (the one with Charlie Sheen and Michael Douglas) or American Psycho knows what a yuppie is. The term stands for "young urban professional" and was coined in the early 1980s as a way to describe young professionals living in a city.

Those labeled as yuppies generally dislike the association, because this characterization often suggests a very materialistic approach to life in general and a cutthroat attitude towards the workplace environment.

8

Skaters

Image: Parker Gibbons

An offshoot of the punk subculture, skater culture rose to prominence in the 1980s when a massive drought in California left numerous empty pools, which skaters used to practice their sport. The rise of magazines like Thrasher and stars like Tony Hawk helped the movement transition from an underground scene to a mainstream sport.

Its aesthetics centered around the preferred type of clothes for skateboarding: baggy and sturdy pants, sneakers, and oversized shirts. Its music was shared by the punk and hardcore movements.

9

Straight Edge

Image: Evgeniy Smersh

Going deeper down the rabbit hole, we encounter the Straight Edge subculture, an offshoot of both skater and hardcore punk cultures. Its followers reject the excesses of the punk scene by abstaining from alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs . Many also refrain from casual sex, follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, and avoid caffeine or prescription drugs. The name "Straight Edge" was inspired by the 1981 song "Straight Edge" by the hardcore punk band Minor Threat.

Overall, Straight Edge culture promotes a lifestyle of self-discipline, health, and community, and it continues to evolve while maintaining its roots in the hardcore punk scene.

10

Hipsters

Image: John Fornander

The final entry on the list is dedicated to the most modern subculture in it: the hipsters. Mostly associated with perceived upper-middle-class white young adults who gentrify urban areas , hipster culture has been critiqued for lacking authenticity and focusing on consumption.

As mentioned earlier, members of this subculture typically do not self-identify as hipsters, as the term’s connotations are often unflattering. It is no coincidence that the term evokes the previously mentioned Beatniks, as that subculture can be seen as an early precursor to hipster culture.

1

California

All across the Americas, we can find places named after fictional and mythical locations, a result of the arrival of European explorers on the unknown continents. In 1533, Hernán Cortés arrived in what is now Baja California, Mexico. Mistakenly believing that the peninsula was an island, coupled with the arid landscape and the rumor of abundant gold, he named it after an island from the book Las Sergas de Esplandián (The Adventures of Esplandián).

This novel, written by Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo in 1510, features the island of California , governed by the queen Calafia (a play on the Arab calipha , a title given to leaders and rulers). The fictional California is rich in gold and is described as a terrestrial paradise near the Indies, so, despite not being an island, the real California was aptly named.

2

Louisiana

Before being the name of a state, Louisiana designated all the French territories west of the Mississippi River , covering either the whole or part of 15 current U.S. states, including Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Missouri, among others. Originally named La Louisiane (‘the land of Louis’), the name was given to the Mississippi basin by the French explorer René-Robert Cavelier in 1682.

Who was Louis? Sixteen kings of France had the name Louis, but this territory was named after Louis XIV, also known as "The Sun King" . During his 72-year-long reign, still the longest of any monarch in history, France greatly expanded its colonial territories, among which was Louisiana. After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the anglicized name remained, but only for a much smaller portion of land, which gained statehood in 1812.

3

Florida

One of the European strategies for naming territories was to reference the day of arrival, a practice often used by the Spanish , and evidenced by the many places named after Catholic saints. Florida is an example of this custom.

Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León arrived in the territory around the time of Easter while looking for the mythical fountain of youth. In Spanish, Easter is sometimes called La Pascua florida (‘the flowery Easter’) because it usually falls in spring, which led Ponce de León to name the territory La Florida .

4

Maine

There is more than one theory for the origin of Maine, and there is no certain answer. While many claim that ‘Maine’ is derived from ‘main land’, there is another widely supported theory that makes a connection with a French province, and that is backed up by the enormous influence of Acadian French people in the state of Maine .

According to this theory, the Maine territory was named after a French province of the same name —nowadays the region of Sarthe and Mayenne— in turn named after the ancient Cenomani Gaulish tribe.

5

Vermont

Although the Vermont territory was initially explored by the French, it might come as a surprise to know that its French name was given by an English-speaking American . In 1777, the territory declared independence from Britain and constituted a new republic. At first called ‘New Connecticut’, it adopted the name ‘Vermont’ by suggestion of physician and scholar Thomas Young.

Young came up with the name, meaning ‘green mountains’, inspired by a local militia known as ‘the Green Mountain Boys’. However, be it ignorance or poetry, the translation was made into a correct but archaic French. While Vermont does mean ‘green mountain’, the most accurate translation would have been montagne verte .

6

Colorado

Originally, Colorado referred to the Colorado River, named by the Spanish during the 16th century. The area under that name was acquired by the U.S. in the Louisiana Purchase and through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo , with the Territory of Colorado officially established in 1861 and named after the river.

Why was the river named this way? In Spanish, colorado means ‘red colored’ or ‘ruddy colored’. During the spring thaw, the melted mountain snow would mix with reddish-brown silt , giving the river a red hue.

7

Montana

This one is another case of a name chosen by English speakers. The word ‘Montana’ is an anglicized version of the Spanish montaña, ‘mountain’. But while there certainly are mountains in Montana, part of the territory consists of plains. Why name it so, then?

The Spanish had named the western mountainous region Montaña del Norte (Northern Mountain). When the Montana Territory was created in 1864, the name was suggested as a tribute to the Rocky Mountains . Some complaints arose in defense of the plains, and the alternative name ‘Jefferson’ was proposed, but Montana won in the end.

8

Nevada

The majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range is one of the natural wonders of the Western United States, so it makes sense that a territory would be named in its honor. Named Sierra Nevada or ‘snowy peak’ by the Spanish, the first record of the name dates back to 1776 , and was most likely inspired by a Spanish range of the same name.

In 1861, the Territory of Nevada was officially established, and most sources agree that it was named after the mountain range. However, the main part of the Sierra Nevada range belongs to California, with only the Carson Range being in the Nevada territory.

9

Arizona

The origin of ‘Arizona’ is disputed, with theories pointing towards it being the Spanish version of a Native American name. However, other theories disagree, claiming that it is a Basque name, haritz ona , meaning ‘good oak, given by Spanish settlers who came from the Basque region.

There is a final theory which, although heavily disputed, is supported by popular stories. This theory claims that the original name was Árida zona (‘arid zone’) , a description of the desert climate.

10

Oregon

No one really knows what ‘Oregon’ means, but everyone has a theory. Although there are stories that link it to Native American names or spelling errors, the first record of the name is from a 1598 Spanish chronicle, which refers to the territory as ‘_Orejón_’ (‘big-eared’) . Whose ears were being described is unclear.

An alternate theory links the name to French instead of Spanish, based on a 1765 petition by a British explorer that calls the area ‘ Ouragon’, a possible corruption of the French ouragan , ‘hurricane ’, in reference to the turbulent waters of the Columbia River.

1

Michael Myers from Halloween

Image: norbert velescu

Who better to start this Halloween list than the main villain from Halloween ? John Carpenter’s iconic horror film not only marks the debut role of beloved actress Jamie Lee Curtis, but it also introduced the world to the terrifying Michael Myers , a murderous mental patient with a thirst for blood.

One of Michael’s most terrifying traits is his blank and unfeeling expression, provided by his chilling rubber mask. Interestingly enough, the mask itself probably wouldn’t be as scary on its own; it is a mask of Star Trek actor William Shatner , only painted white and with some traits changed in order to make it scarier.

2

Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street

Image: Enrique Guzmán Egas

The 1984 film A Nightmare on Elm Street is considered by many to be the quintessential slasher horror film of the ’80s, and with good reason: Wes Craven had the genius idea to turn our slumber into one of the scariest environments ever. If, for whatever reason, you feel inclined to thank the character responsible for turning our dreams into nightmares, then you can send your regards to Freddy Krueger.

Freddy’s look is definitely unforgettable: Who can overlook that stripped sweater, black fedora, and, perhaps more menacing, that sinister-looking bladed glove? This killer’s menacing image certainly sent shivers down our spines and made most of us dread going to bed.

3

Jason Vorhees from Friday the 13th

Image: Justin Campbell

Michael Myers is not the only masked menace to make it onto this list! Jason Vorhees made his first appearance in the 1980 slasher Friday the 13th , which depicted a group of campers meeting their end at Jason’s hands in the fictional Camp Crystal Lake. This towering, murderous revenant hunts teenagers at night, armed with his trusted machete and his now-iconic hockey mask.

Jason has appeared in many different films, including an entire franchise reboot in 2009. Not only that, a 2003 film pitted him against another king of the slasher genre, Freddy Krueger. Without spoiling the ending, we can honestly say that both of these horror giants prove their mettle.

4

The Thing from The Thing

Image: Robert Haverly

Don’t let this slightly vague name fool you: The Thing is one of the scariest horror characters in history. John Carpenter’s 1982 masterpiece introduced the world to this mysterious alien creature, able to shapeshift into any object imaginable.

What’s probably most terrifying about this shadowy being is that we never truly see its true form; therefore, this alien can be as terrifying as our imaginations allow it to be. However, don’t let this statement imply that we are discrediting Carpenter’s groundbreaking visual effects, as anyone who has seen any of his amazing creations can testify.

5

The Fly from The Fly

Image: Pedro Miguel Aires

Who knew that a little housefly could be so terrifying? While the original 1958 film is incredibly advanced for its time, David Cronenberg’s 1986 rendition of The Fly left an indelible mark on an entire generation with its uncanny special effects and chilling story.

In this film, Jeff Goldblum plays Seth Brundle, an eccentric scientist whose DNA gets fused with that of a fly after an experiment goes wrong. The resulting hybrid monster’s appearance is truly a remarkable tribute to the talent of this film’s makeup department, which earned them a well-deserved Academy Award.

6

Rachel McNeil from The Exorcist

Image: Kelly Sikkema

Many consider The Exorcist to be the best horror film ever made, and with good reason: not only is it bone-chilling, but it is also a wonderfully crafted film that has led it to be selected by the U.S. National Film Registry for preservation.

A big part of what made this film so incredibly terrifying was the contrast between the sweet and innocent 12-year-old Regan McNeil (wonderfully portrayed by Linda Blair) and the dark demon that possesses her. Legendary Swedish actor Max von Sydow also shines in this film, playing the titular exorcist, Father Lankester Merrin.

7

Chucky from Child’s Play

Image: Erik Mclean

This is a toy you don’t want to see lying around your house! Directed by Tom Holland, the 1988 slasher film Child’s Play features Chucky , a seemingly harmless doll possessed by the soul of a serial killer. While this might not seem particularly menacing, Academy-nominated actor Brad Dourif’s portrayal of this plastic killer truly terrified an entire generation.

The first movie was such a success that it spawned an entire franchise that’s still relevant today, with a TV series premiering in 2021. However, most fans agree that no film will ever surpass the original Child’s Play , an undisputed gem of the slasher genre.

8

The Ghostface Killer from Scream

Image: Nik

Speaking of the slasher genre, we would be remiss if we didn’t include Wes Craven’s iconic 1996 film Scream . This movie is not only terrifying, but it is also a true love letter to the entire genre: In fact, one of the first deaths in the film occurs after a character gets a question about horror trivia wrong.

A huge part of what made Scream so frightening is its antagonist. The Ghostface Killer’s main strength is that he is not a supernatural creature by any definition of the word. Not only that, this mysterious character’s presence adds a layer of intrigue to the film, as the reveal of his true identity becomes a definitive turning point in this masterpiece.

9

Pennywise from It

Image: Nong

Much like the monster from The Thing , the audience never witnesses the true form of this chilling Eldritch monster. However, the main antagonist of Stephen King’s classic novel It often dons the disguise of Pennywise, a scary clown hell-bent on terrifying the town of Derry, Maine.

To date, Pennywise has been portrayed on the big screen on two separate occasions: first by Tim Curry in the 1990 miniseries and later by Swedish actor Bill Skarsgård in the 2017 film adaptation and its 2019 sequel. In both cases, these actors were able to bring a fascinating layer of horror to a colorful figure usually associated with making people smile.

10

The Shark from Jaws

Image: Marcelo Cidrack

Granted, calling Steven Spielberg’s Jaws a horror film is probably not entirely accurate. However, we can comfortably state that the shark antagonist of this 1975 thriller truly terrified moviegoers around the world.

It is pretty hard to state the impact that this shark had, suffice to say, people at the time were incredibly scared to go back into the water due to this movie. Fun fact: Did you know that the shark has a name? Well, a nickname at least: it was called "Bruce" by the film crew, after the name of Spielberg’s lawyer.