goth

Commonly, it refers to one of three things: music, lifestyle, and fashion, though it is not seen as proper to designate one's self as goth based purely on their manner of dress, and most goths do not publicly proclaim themselves as such anyway. The gothic subculture tends to have a poor reputation because so many of the people who choose to label themselves as such know nothing about the culture, and involve themselves in juvenille or melodramatic behavior that they feel "is goth".

Musically, it refers to an alternate form of rock that first developed in the late 70's as a post-punk form of music. This early, guitar driven form of goth is commonly called "death rock". The guitars often serve as an ambient rather than melodic instrument, drumming tends to be dance oriented and the vocals are often somewhat haunting or distant. Lyrics deal heavily with introspection, nilhilism and the occult, though most assume it deals strictly with satanism. Many gothic bands mix industrial elements into their music, leading some to believe that all industrial music is gothic. Common bands associatdd with the term include The Cure, Bahaus, 45 Grave, Sisters of Mercy, Joy Division, etc.

Lifestyle-wise, there doesn't appear to be a lifestyle that all gothics follow, though some seem to share similar characteristics, which can include an interest in occultist themes, poetry, religion, introspection, gothic literature (which was written some time during the Victorian Era), folklore, etc. Most gothics are known for regularly attending dance clubs that play gothic and industrial music, and some are also known for their interest in the S&M culture.

Fashion-wise, there tends to be a lot of accessories, and the most common of which are victorian/medieval inspired (velvet and lace, pirate shirts, corsets, etc.), bondage inspired (slave bracelets, chokers, large boots, fishnet and mesh clothing, clothing made out of PVC, leather, rubber, latex or vinyl), or punk inspired (bondage pants, leather jackets, spiked or studded jewelry). Gothics have a tenendency to wear mostly black, though sometimes white or red, and have their hair dyed, usually purple or jet black (the hair is also stylized in a certain fashion, usually mushroomed out like Robert Smith of The Cutre, dreadlocked, or black with bangs like Emily (the mascot for a line of products of the same name), or other similar, outlandish designs. There is also a tendency for theatrical-style make-up (white foundation with black emphasis around the eyes and sometimes mouth). Goth fashion is sometimes mistaken for the on-stage presence of black metal groups.

Many think that bands such as Marilyn Manson and Nine Inch Nails are goth rock bands, but they're really just commercialized industrial music.

by Goatlord December 26, 2003

Mall Goth

One of the most digusting types of people that exist on this world. Their hair looks like it began dreading, and is dyed in various mix-matching colors.

They were eyeliner that is thincker than a racoon's black fur around their eyes. ERRRM, thats not attractive, sorry to break it to you.

Usually found around Hot Topic, they try things on, and wait for it to open every morning so they can talk about how harcore they are, and make fun of stores such as Abercrombie and Hollister California.

They associate themselves as being major fans of bands such as:
-Slipknot
-H.I.M
-or Insane Clown Posse (ICP)

Technically, they are a bunch of posers who come to their realization when they hit the age of 16. They look back to see how stupid they looked trying to actually look "HardCore"

Mall Goth Sarah: -Laughing- Abercrombie is go gay!!

Mall Goth Tim: I know! Lets hurry and ger to Hot Topic before it closes!

Current time, 2:00pm.
Hot Topic closes at 9:00pm

You do that Mall Goth Tim and Sarah..

:|

by OldSalamander March 10, 2007

gothified

When someone or something has been made gothy, and therefore awesome.

Hey, your new black lace curtains and Rozz Williams poster have caused your room to be gothified.

Or.

Hey, even though usually she dresses in jeans and trashy tops, I totally gothified my sister with a black velvet skirt and a nice corset.

by ophelia drowned September 12, 2005

Goth-in-a-box

A generic Goth looking kid who may or may not know anything about the gothic culture, who typically is seen at hot-topic.

Hot Topic is also sometimes called "Goth in a box"

Ana "Hey look at that black lipstick and white face paint on that girl..."
Steph "Yeah shes such a Goth-in-a-box!"

by PictsyStephie June 30, 2008

gothic hippie

A gothic hippie is precisely what the name implies. The exact combination of goth and hippie can vary widely based on the individual. In general, A gothic hippie is someone who believes in peace and love, embraces and strives to be one with nature and a higher energy (often-times through the practice of Paganism or some other New Age activity). These people generally also have a facination with history, praticularly the Middle Ages and the Victorian era. They tend to have a dark and cynical sense of humor and take very little seriously except for major issues (peace, love, social rights, ect...).

Stylistically A gothic hippy can look like either a goth or a hippy or some combination in between (think tie-dyed t-shirt with black fishnet underneath it and long dark hair)

Someone who listens to gothic music (especially more ethereal stuff), is into meditation and the pagan worship of nature and feels that people are stupid because they take things too seriously that aren't really worth it.
The highest goal of a gothic hippie is to trancend this world of materialism and pop-culture filth and achieve a higher form of enlightenment and inner peace.

by Janus XVII May 26, 2005

Goth Poser

Someone who is too much of a loser to be a loser so he has to pretend hto be a loser. Acutally spelt Goth Poseur

"I weaar all black and worship Satan! Fear me because I listen to Marilyn Manson and that makes me hardcore. I'm going to sit in a dark corner and cry about how bad my life is even though my daddy is rich because I'm hardcore."

by Real Gangsta in da House August 4, 2005

goth poseur

A goth Poseur is a person who just dresses up as a goth, just for the attention. When they go out, they spend ages covering themselves in white makeup and eyeliner, and when they're lazing around inside, listening to Gwen Stefani, they wear a pink tracksuit.
They dont understand about goths,or that it is a lifestyle. They just want the stares. And you dont understand goths either if you think that all of them worship satan, cut themselves, and cry endlessly.
Poseur goths do it for the stares. Proper goths do it because thats just how they want to live and dress, and dont give a shit about what anyone else thinks.

Goth poseur : I'm looking for a DAAAARK picture to put up in my DAAAAARK bedroom, because my life is DAAAARKNESS!!!!

Goth: Hey..you were in here yesterday, buying some fake Burberry crap, right?

by Shanura December 12, 2008