CultureAugust 15, 2026

offcuts

OF-kuts

Definition

Pieces or remnants of material left over after a larger piece has been cut or shaped for a specific project.

Etymology

A compound of 'off' and 'cut,' first appearing in the mid-19th century to describe waste material from manufacturing processes like tailoring or woodworking.

In the news

In the article, the artist Gabrielle Shelton describes using 'offcuts' from her metal sculptures as primary materials for new pieces, highlighting a resourceful approach to art-making in an expensive city.

How five New York City artists turned studio scraps into gallery art — and afford to keep creating

Read the full article ↗

Business Insider

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