An old tradition of burning of any objects that are regarded as sinful or immoral, as if a bonfire fueled by the condemned objects would erase the social problems associated with them.
The most infamous of such bonfires took place on February 7, 1497. The extremist Catholic priest Girolamo Savonarola organized a great public burning in Florence, a burning of what he saw as the frivolities of the Medici reign, and in particular that of Lorenzo de' Medici, whom Savonarola blamed for decadence and immorality (which the zealous priest defined as any art that did not portray Jesus or anything Biblical; nudity and paganism in contemporary art irked his one-track mindset).
While prostitutes were beaten and gay men were burned alive on his orders, Savonarola's campaign centered on the burning of books, paintings, sculptures, cosmetics, wigs, fancy clothing, mirrors, jewelry, masks, playing cards, scripts of secular songs, musical instruments, anything that Savonarola deemed extravagant.
A "bonfire of the vanities" can be as a metaphor to refer to the censorship or ban on "controversial" materials.
The most infamous of such bonfires took place on February 7, 1497. The extremist Catholic priest Girolamo Savonarola organized a great public burning in Florence, a burning of what he saw as the frivolities of the Medici reign, and in particular that of Lorenzo de' Medici, whom Savonarola blamed for decadence and immorality (which the zealous priest defined as any art that did not portray Jesus or anything Biblical; nudity and paganism in contemporary art irked his one-track mindset).
While prostitutes were beaten and gay men were burned alive on his orders, Savonarola's campaign centered on the burning of books, paintings, sculptures, cosmetics, wigs, fancy clothing, mirrors, jewelry, masks, playing cards, scripts of secular songs, musical instruments, anything that Savonarola deemed extravagant.
A "bonfire of the vanities" can be as a metaphor to refer to the censorship or ban on "controversial" materials.
The Bonfire of the Vanities was the result of a moral panic provoked by an extremist monk who was horrified by the nudity and pagan/secular images that were appearing in art as well as the perceived extravagance of the Medici, the family who ruled Florence and who was leading this artistic Renaissance and who Savonarola blamed for the economic and social problems that were beginning to plague the city. Any art or literature that he deemed "immoral" had to go.
Eventually, Savonarola's campaign turned against him and he was executed, but his example of censorship is one to be remembered as that matter is discussed.
Eventually, Savonarola's campaign turned against him and he was executed, but his example of censorship is one to be remembered as that matter is discussed.
by Lorelili August 1, 2011
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The act of self-declaration via twitter or facebook of what you are currently "doing" (BESIDES typing into facebook or twitter - which is what you are ACTUALLY DOING!) in an attempt to publicly validate your social status and to make it look like you are not a loner or a loser that needs virtual validation to give yourself a sense of self-worth. (As my friend put it, posting that you are doing laundry is not a "status update" - it's a cry for help!)
See also: cyber-affirmation
The act of self-declaration via twitter or facebook of what you are currently "doing" (BESIDES typing into facebook or twitter - which is what you are ACTUALLY DOING!) in an attempt to publicly validate your social status and to make it look like you are not a loner or a loser that needs virtual validation to give yourself a sense of self-worth. (As my friend put it, posting that you are doing laundry is not a "status update" - it's a cry for help!)
See also: cyber-affirmation
Dan is totally into cyber-vanity. He updates his facebook status ten times a day. As if we really want to read a play-by-play of his laundry chore.
by gtbarry May 5, 2009
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by Moneyapple/CurrencyPear March 13, 2011
Get the Vanity Hero mug.The best of the best of douche bags. Not your ordinary douche bag. One that douchbaggery comes to so naturally and you can tell from their actions they've been at it a most generous amount of time.
Sarah: "that guy is such a douche bag!!!"
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MacKenzie: "oh no Sarah, he's special, he's what's known as a vintage douche bag." It takes years and years of douchbaggery to achieve this stage but he's got it nailed down."
by Say whit? February 16, 2015
Get the vintage douche bag mug.-Someone who loves all things vintage.
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-Someone who decorates their house floor to ceiling with old lace doilies and antique photos.
-Someone who is on a first name basis with every flea market owner within 100 miles.
-Someone who wears vintage styles and doesn't care what others think.
-Someone who likes to mix rust with diamonds and tattered pearls with new crystal.
-Someone possibly obsessed with Marie Antoinette.
by abbinme March 3, 2010
Get the Vintage Queen mug.Vinil means god-like . It is used in middle east and south Asia. Most commonly in india. Vinil can be used as a name. Usually vinil means someone who is blessed in all the fields. When you say that a person is vinil it means he/she is smart and good looking and have sharp features. It can also mean alpha male or bossy.
by Jakepaul12 August 24, 2017
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