CultureSeptember 4, 2026

everydayness

EV-ree-day-nes

Definition

The quality of being mundane, ordinary, or routine, often used to describe a state of life characterized by monotony, predictability, or a lack of deep existential significance.

Etymology

Derived from the Middle English 'every day' (each day), combined with the suffix '-ness' used to form nouns expressing a state or quality. It entered modern usage as a philosophical term to capture the feeling of humdrum, repetitive existence.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe the dull, repetitive nature of ordinary life, suggesting that people seek out disaster and tragedy because they are desperate to escape this feeling of hollow, everyday routine.

Making sense of the surreal storm of the support for Lindsay Clancy

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Catholic World Report

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