Cool (aesthetic)

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Coolness, or being cool, is the aesthetic quality of something (such as attitude, behavior, appearance, or style) being compatible with currently admirable social norms of society or a group of people. Because of the varied and changing interpretation of what is considered cool, as well as its subjective nature, the word has no single meaning. For most, coolness is associated with exemplifying composure and self-control. When used in conversation, it is often as an expression of admiration or approval, and can be used when referencing both people and items of interest. As an aesthetic quality, cool was first used in African-American Vernacular English by jazz musicians in the 1940s, and from there spread into General American English. Although commonly regarded as slang, cool is widely used among disparate social groups and has endured in usage for generations.

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