The words 'straight edge' come from the title of a song penned by Ian Mackaye of the hardcore band Minor Threat. This song as well as others by Minor Threat including 'Out of Step' warned of the pitfuls of consuming alcohol, drugs and partaking in promisciuos sex. The phrase 'straight edge' was applied to people who followed this philosophy.

The key components of straight edge are:
1. No alcohol
2. No drugs
3. No promiscuous sex

If you follow these 'rules' then you will be in control of your body and mind.

Some people who're straightedge also beleive they must be vegetarian but more often than not vegan because either they are against animal cruelty or they do not want to poison their bodies with dead flesh.

Straight ege grew in popularity throughout the 1980s. There are two main off shoots of straight edge. Firstly hardline, where the values of straight edge are taken to the extreme. People who're hardline will be vegan and may be animal rights activists as well as anti-abortionists. The second main group to split off from straight edge is 'Krishnacore', where people who're straight edge extend their personal philosophy by becoming followers of Hare krishna.

The main symbol of straight edge is the 'x'. this symbol was adopted becasue at all dayer hardcore shows those to young to drink would be marked with an 'x' on their hand. Those who chose not to drink adopted this symbol

The word straight edge can be shortened to sXe, or represented by xxx.

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