To be on the fringe
Meaning
To be at the edge of a group, activity, or idea, often suggesting a lack of full integration or acceptance within the mainstream.
Origin
The word 'fringe' itself comes from the Latin fimbria, meaning 'border' or 'edge', and originally referred to the decorative border of loose threads or tassels found on clothing, rugs, or tapestries. This ornate trim, while part of the item, was distinct—it was literally at the edge, not the main fabric. By the 19th century, this literal sense began to be used figuratively to describe anything or anyone at the periphery of a group, activity, or idea. To be 'on the fringe' meant to be separate from the mainstream, existing at the outer edge of what was considered conventional or accepted, much like the decorative tassels adorning the edge of a shawl rather than its central weave.
Examples
- Her unconventional artistic style often left her on the fringe of the established art scene, though she eventually gained critical recognition.
- The political candidate's radical views kept him on the fringe of mainstream public opinion, making it hard to attract broad support.