A type of subculture that mixes the clothing styles of past generations (such as the Victorian era) with modern conveniences, creating inventions that look as if they could have been created generations ago. For instance, a gameboy would be powered by steam and contain clockwork parts rather than silicon and electrical wiring. This "mad-scientist" culture is based on works by such authors as Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. Related to the Punk subculture by the "Do-It-Yourself" attitude, though many steampunks will buy ready made materials and customize them. The entire subculture is based on mostly on aesthetics, though functionality is highly prized as well.
Person 1: "I love those goggles! They're so steampunk; where did you get them?"
Person 2: "I got the goggles at the hardware store and used the cogs from this old clock I had sitting around. The brass-coloured paint was sitting in the garage too."
Person 1: "Well, what was your inspiration?"
Person 2: "I was reading The Time Machine and watching Suckerpunch. I don't really know which it's supposed to be; I just thought it would look cool."
Person 2: "I got the goggles at the hardware store and used the cogs from this old clock I had sitting around. The brass-coloured paint was sitting in the garage too."
Person 1: "Well, what was your inspiration?"
Person 2: "I was reading The Time Machine and watching Suckerpunch. I don't really know which it's supposed to be; I just thought it would look cool."
by Emily Marten November 07, 2011
A delayed afterbirth of all the lame subcultures spawned in the 1990's, because everything has to evolve into a trend and everyone needs to feel they can wholeheartedly ascribe to something.
"I was kicked from the Steampunk kickball team because my metallic accoutrements were more silver-colored than bronze."
by Herr Terror March 25, 2013
Subgenre of "punk" fashion using style combinations from Victorian era England and the Industrial Revolution. Different from grunge, hobo, cyberpunk, hippie, or dirty punk.
Brendon Urie in The Ballad Of Mona Lisa music video is looking like the pinnacle of Steampunk.
(go check the song out)
(go check the song out)
by ♣Fabulous_Killjoy♥ May 11, 2021
(credited directly from Glenn Hetrick from Face Off 8x13)
The combination of two tlements:
Victorian or Edwardian fashion sense
Antediluvian technology
Another explanation (can't remember source, but also from Face Off) is:
High technology with a much slower energy source
The combination of two tlements:
Victorian or Edwardian fashion sense
Antediluvian technology
Another explanation (can't remember source, but also from Face Off) is:
High technology with a much slower energy source
by killermist May 06, 2015
A group of 40 something virgins that seriously need to get over themselves - They ponce around with cogs, plastic guns and "rocket powered" roller skates, desperately craving the tiniest morsel of attention from anybody who will even catch them in the corner of their (non-mechanical) eye. It would be SLIGHTLY impressive (but still ridiculously pointless) if their clockwork gadgets ACTUALLY did something. But, alas, all they are managing to achieve is a BAD rip-off of the bad guys from the 'Wild Wild West' movie...on behalf of Kenneth Branagh: "CRINGE". Why don't they put their pretentious, role play, egocentric (and obviously jobless) days into doing something constructive? If they are going to continue to manufacture corrigated cardboard machine outfits, at least, MAKE SURE THEY FUNCTION!!! Wearing monacles, top-hats, badly tailored suits, penny whistles sprayed silver, pocket watches and faux rocket-packs - labelling themselves as "STEAM PUNKS" DOES NOT MAKE THEM INDIVIDUAL (Although the steam and punks are yet to be seen, unless badly accessorised Victorian Geography teacher encapsulates that description?) They have established themselves as the latest brigade of complete and utter self-indulgent tools to disgrace the music scene and need to get a grip.
Person 1: "Oh my God! They think they're out of that Will Smith movie...what utter states!!!"
Person 2: "Oh! 'Wild Wild West'?"
Person 1: "Yup!"
Person 2: "What a bunch of tits."
Person 1: "I know! When do you think they last saw a fanny?"
Person 2: "When their mothers spawned them onto this poor planet about 40 years ago!"
Person 1: "Virgin losers! I hate Steampunks!"
Person 2 (shouting at Steampunks): "GET OVER YOURSELVES!!!"
Person 2: "Oh! 'Wild Wild West'?"
Person 1: "Yup!"
Person 2: "What a bunch of tits."
Person 1: "I know! When do you think they last saw a fanny?"
Person 2: "When their mothers spawned them onto this poor planet about 40 years ago!"
Person 1: "Virgin losers! I hate Steampunks!"
Person 2 (shouting at Steampunks): "GET OVER YOURSELVES!!!"
by Dan, Tink & Graham October 25, 2009
by ph3n0m August 30, 2019
Steampunk is a subgenre of speculative fiction, usually set in an anachronistic Victorian or quasi-Victorian alternate history setting. It could be described by the slogan "What the past would look like if the future had happened sooner." It includes fiction with science fiction, fantasy or horror themes.
Medieval Steampunk: Speculative fiction set during the Middle Ages.
Victorian Steampunk: A modern Science Fiction work (post-1930s) that is set in the early parts of the industrial revolution.
Western Steampunk: Science fiction set in the American Old West.
Industrial/Modern Steampunk: Science fiction taking place in the late industrial age, early modern age; i.e. World War 1, World War 2
Medieval Steampunk: Speculative fiction set during the Middle Ages.
Victorian Steampunk: A modern Science Fiction work (post-1930s) that is set in the early parts of the industrial revolution.
Western Steampunk: Science fiction set in the American Old West.
Industrial/Modern Steampunk: Science fiction taking place in the late industrial age, early modern age; i.e. World War 1, World War 2
Examples of steampunk:
Wild Wild West
Final Fantasy 7
Van Helsing
The Time Machine
Hellboy
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
Wild Wild West
Final Fantasy 7
Van Helsing
The Time Machine
Hellboy
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
by Kankuro December 15, 2004