Bohemianism is the practice of an
unconventional lifestyle, often in the company of like-minded people and with few permanent ties. It involves musical, artistic, literary, or spiritual pursuits. In this context, bohemians may be
wanderers,
adventurers, or
vagabonds.
This use of the word in the English language was imported from French in the mid-19th century and was used to describe the non-traditional lifestyles of artists, writers, journalists, musicians, and actors in major European cities.
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Bohemians were associated with unorthodox or
anti-establishment political or social viewpoints, which often were expressed through
free love,
frugality, and—in some cases—
simple living,
vandwelling or
voluntary poverty. A more economically privileged, wealthy, or even aristocratic bohemian circle is sometimes referred to as
haute bohème[2] (literally "high Bohemia").
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