Afreak is a person who isphysically deformed or transformed due to an extraordinary medical condition orbody modification. This definition was first attested with this meaning in the 1880s as a shorter form of the phrase "freak of nature", itself a broader term meaning "whimsy orcaprice of nature", attributed at least as far back as 1847.[1] The term's original neutralconnotation became entirely negative during the 20th century; therefore,freak with its literal meaning of "abnormally developed individual" is viewed purely as apejorative today.[2][3] However, the term is also recently used playfully to refer to an enthusiast or obsessive person, as in afitness freak orcontrol freak.
Freak saw usage asjargon by promoters and performers offreak shows, though its use in this sense has decreased along with the popularity of freak shows.[4] One well-known example of this word was in reference toJoseph Merrick, the "Elephant Man."[5] As a jargon, side-show freaks were classified into two groups: natural freaks and self-made freaks.[6] A natural freak would usually have been born with agenetic abnormality, while a self-made freak was a person who was altered artificially (with methods such assurgical implants).
The term has a variety of much more recent meanings. An example is something strikingly unusual about one'sappearance or behavior. This usage originated from "freak scene" during the 1960s and 1970s, most famously promoted by the albumFreak Out! made by therock bandThe Mothers of Invention.
A recent usage offreak is as a synonym forenthusiast, such as ahealth freak[7]; or referring to obsessive behavior, such ascontrol freak.[8]
Freak is used in science to describe plants and animals with a geneticmutation.[9][10]