Glamour
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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The original meaning of the word "glamour" was the act of casting a spell over someone, particularly to change how things appeared to them.<ref>"Glamour" in Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, Hobgoblins, Brownies, Boogies, and Other Supernatural Creatures p.191. ISBN 0-394-73467-X</ref> The primary modern meaning of the word relates to fascination, charisma, beauty, or sexual attraction. People, or their lifestyles, can be described as glamorous. Although most words which end in -our in British English are spelt with -or in American English, "glamour" is an exception with the "u" usually being retained. This may be due to its original being Scottish rather than French or Latin. The alternative spelling "glamor" is sometimes used in American English, but not as frequently. (see American and British English spelling differences).
In fiction
In Christopher Priest's 1984 fantasy novel, The Glamour, the innate ability to turn oneself invisible is to possess the glamour.
In his book It, Stephen King uses the word "glamour" in reference to the creature known as "It" or "Pennywise", saying that it means a creature able either truly to change its shape and/or physical appearance at will, or to be seen as different things by different people.
In Laurel K. Hamilton's Merry Gentry series, glamour is a type of magic used by the fey, and something that the main character Merideth Gentry herself can use quite adeptly, even more so than most pure-blooded sidhe.
In the supernatural television drama Charmed the glamour is a power that enables the wielder to turn into another's physical appareance.
See also
- Glamour photography
- Glam rock
- Glamour (magazine)
- "The Glamorous Life", a song written by Prince, and recorded by Sheila E.
- Glamorous, a 2005 album by Denise Ho.
- "Glamorous", a song by Fergie.
- "The Price of Glamour" a short story by Steve Berman involving the need of Victorian fairies for a powdered substance, glamour, to hide their existence and survive.
[1] [May 2007]
