A person, especially from the 1960s counterculture, who rejected mainstream society and embraced peace, alternative lifestyles, and free expression.
From 'hip', meaning aware or knowledgeable (from African American slang), plus '-y' suffix. Originally called 'hippies' in the 1960s. Related to 'hepcat' from the 1940s-50s jazz scene.
Hippies literally named themselves after the slang word 'hip' meaning cool and aware—they were 'hip people'! The movement was so huge that the word bounced from jazz slang into global culture within a decade.
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