fringe

Fringe is a term with several related meanings. It can refer to a decorative trim along the edge of fabric or clothing, often made of loose threads or tassels. It is also used to describe the outer margin or border of something, such as the fringe of a city or the fringe of a field.

In everyday language, fringe can describe a row of hanging strands in hair, commonly called bangs in American English. Decorative fringe may appear on curtains, shawls, and other textiles, serving both ornamental and functional purposes.

In arts and culture, fringe refers to activities and performances outside the mainstream, including experimental theatre, music, and comedy. Fringe festivals showcase such works, with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe being among the most prominent and influential examples, spawning numerous smaller fringe events around the world.

The term is also used in a broader sense to describe ideas or movements at the edge of mainstream thinking, sometimes labeled fringe science. This usage denotes topics that are speculative or controversial within established scientific communities.

Fringe is also the title of a popular American science fiction television series. Created by J. J. Abrams, Jeff Pinkner, and Akiva Goldsman, it aired on Fox from 2008 to 2013. The show centers on the Fringe Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation as agents investigate unexplained phenomena linked to a parallel universe and a mysterious pattern known as the “Observers.” The series ran for five seasons, developing a dedicated following and receiving multiple award nominations.