Vulgaire

Vulgaire is an adjective used in Dutch and French to describe things or people perceived as crude, coarse, or lacking refinement. In both languages, it is often disparaging when applied to language, behavior, or aesthetics, though it can appear in neutral discussions of everyday speech or popular culture.

Origin: from Latin vulgaris "of the common people," through Old French into Dutch and modern French. The shift from "common" to "crude" or "low-brow" occurs in several European languages, including English.

Dutch usage: In Dutch, vulgaire typically refers to speech or behavior that is obscene, tasteless, or low-brow. It can cover profanity, gaudy fashion, or coarse humor, and is commonly contrasted with more refined or elegant descriptors in journalism, criticism, and everyday discourse.

French usage: In French, vulgaire marks a lack of refinement in language and manners. It is used for "langage vulgaire" (crude language) and "art vulgaire" (low-brow art). The noun "vulgarité" denotes the quality or phenomenon of being vulgar, while "vulgarisation" refers to popularization, which can be neutral or pejorative depending on context.

Context and debate: In aesthetics and sociology, vulgaire is discussed in relation to mass culture, democratization of taste, and tensions between refinement and accessibility. The term’s value and connotation depend on speaker and purpose, making its use sensitive and context-dependent.