Antedating of "Postmodern"

[Fred Shapiro]

On Tue, 3 Apr 2007, James Harbeck wrote:

> Wow! Is there context to make it clear what in particular the author
> is referring to with post-modern? Is there any consistency with its
> later application? Can we trace any clear connection, or is it an
> independent neologism?

The nature of this term (a term constructed from basic elements) is such
that it was undoubtedly independently invented many times and applied
inconsistently.  In fact, I wrote an article in _American Speech_ a few
years ago about the history of _post-modern_ that makes clear the multiple
independent inventions.

Fred Shapiro


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