Good vibrations

 

Vibrant is a hooray word. It seems to be code for something, but what? It literally means "Pulsing or throbbing with energy. Exhibiting or characterized by rapid, rhythmic movement back and forth or to and fro; vibrating... Relatively high on the scale of brightness: a vibrant hue."

 

People use it to mean:

 

working class foreign exotic ethnic black thriving vital erotic exciting young good

 

“The Italians didn't take to this film as it did not film Italy in a vibrant manner, preferring to evocate the alienation and melancholia of its Russian lead.” IMDB film review

 

“France’s vibrant corporations are profiting from globalization...”

 

“Painting will not die out completely while we need it as an antidote to more infuriating but more vibrant art.” Stuart Jeffries Guardian June 26, 2002

 

“Richard Attenborough stars in this vibrant and entertaining social drama about a strikebreaker who is shunned by his fellow workers.” Guardian July 2, 2002

 

“Then I found myself excavating this grave, and for the first time some of the vibrancy of the original ritual began to get through to me.” New Scientist September 27, 2002

 

“He believes poker’s new players have brought a more vibrant spirit to the casinos.”

 

“To be sure, lots of babies who leave the intensive-care unit grow up to be healthy, vibrant adults.”

 

"because of [Tooting's] vibrant, ethnically diverse feel..." Times Nov 16 07

 

“Dalston has always been avibrant place, thanks to its Afro-Caribbean and Turkish communities” Guardian 27 April 09