Classic
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A classic is an outstanding example of a particular style; something of
"Classic" should not be confused with classical, which refers specifically to certain cultural styles, especially in music and architecture: styles generally taking inspiration from the Classical tradition, hence classicism.
The Classics
The classics are the literature of ancient Greece and Rome, known as classical antiquity, and once the principal subject studied in the humanities. Classics (without the definite article) can refer to the study of philosophy, literature, history and the arts of the ancient world, as in "reading classics at Cambridge". From that usage came the more general concept of 'classic'.[1]
The Chinese classics occupy a similar position in Chinese culture, and various other cultures have their own classics.
Cultural classics
Books, films and music particularly may become a classic but a painting would more likely be called a masterpiece. A classic is often something old that is still popular.
The first known use of "classic" in this sense – a work so excellent that it is on the level of the "classics" (Greek and Latin authors) – is by the 18th-century scholar Rev. John Bowle. He applied the term to Don Quixote, of which Bowle prepared an innovative edition, such as he judged that a classic work needed.[2]
Some other examples would be the 1876 novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, the 1941 film Citizen Kane, and the 1956 song "Blue Suede Shoes" by Elvis Presley. Lists of classics are long and wide-ranging,[citation needed] and would vary depending on personal opinion. Classic rock is a popular radio format, playing a repertoire of old but familiar recordings.
A contemporary work may be hailed as an instant classic, but the criteria for classic status tends to include the test of time. The term "classic" is in fact often generalized to refer to any work of a certain age, regardless of whether it is any good.
Science and technology
A well known and reliable procedure, such as a demonstration of well-established scientific principle, may be described as classic: e.g. the Cartesian diver experiment.
Consumer artifacts
Manufacturers frequently describe their products as classic, to distinguish the original from a new variety, or to imply qualities in the product – although the
A classic can be something old that remains prized or valuable (but not an antique). Classic cars, for example, are recognised by various collectors' organisations such as the Classic Car Club of America, who regulate the qualifying attributes that constitute classic status.
Sport
Classic style is a technique in cross-country skiing
Many sporting events take the name classic:
- Horse races, e.g. British Classic Races
- Snooker tournaments e.g. the Wuxi Classic
- College Basketball e.g. the Charleston Classic
- Major League Baseball All-Star Game e.g. the Midsummer Classic
- World Baseball Classic
- National Hockey League, the Winter Classic.
- Cycling, the Classic cycle races
In Spanish-speaking countries, the term Clásico refers to a match between two football teams known as traditional rivals, e.g. El Clásico in Spain.
See also
- Classic book
- Classical Hollywood cinema
- Classic stage (of American civilisations pre-Columbus)
- Design classic
- Classicism
- Chinese classics
- Protection of Classics
- Western canon
References
- ^ a b Definition of classic at dictionary.com.
- ^ Bowle, John (2001). "A letter to the Reverend Dr. Percy : concerning a new and classical edition of Historia del valeroso cavallero Don Quixote de la Mancha" (PDF). Cervantes (Journal of the Cervantes Society of America). 21 (1). London: 95–146.
First edition 1777.
- Imagine Media. March 1996. p. 31.