On the fringe of society
Meaning
To be at the outer edge or periphery of conventional society, often implying a marginalized, unconventional, or less accepted existence.
Origin
The word 'fringe' originally described the decorative, often elaborate, border of a piece of cloth, separate yet attached to the main fabric. By the 17th century, its meaning broadened metaphorically to denote the outer edge or periphery of anything, from a forest to a field, or even the limits of knowledge. As societies became more complex and stratified in the 19th century, the evocative image of a 'fringe' seamlessly extended to human communities. It became a succinct way to describe individuals or groups existing at the outer limits of conventional norms—distinct, often less central, and sometimes marginalized—painting a vivid picture of life lived on the very edge of the social fabric.
Examples
- After losing his job and home, he found himself living on the fringe of society, struggling to reconnect with stable life.
- Artists and philosophers often choose to live on the fringe of society, seeking alternative perspectives and freedoms away from mainstream pressures.