Connoisseurs Peak Bagging List

[johnw]

When you say 'classics' what defines a classic?

This might help everyone decide

From http://oxforddictionaries.com

classic

Pronunciation:/ˈklasɪk/

adjective

1 judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind:

a classic novel
a classic car

(of a garment or design) of a simple, elegant style not greatly subject to changes in fashion:

this classic navy blazer

2 very typical of its kind:

Hamlet is the classic example of a tragedy
I had all the classic symptoms of flu

noun

1 a work of art of recognized and established value:

his books have become classics
a garment of a simple, elegant, and long-lasting style.

a thing which is memorable and a very good example of its kind:

he’s hoping that tomorrow’s game will be a classic.

2 (Classics) a subject at school or university which involves the study of ancient Greek and Latin literature, philosophy, and history:

an honours degree in Classics (the classics)
the works of ancient Greek and Latin writers and philosophers.
(dated) a scholar of ancient Greek and Latin.

3 (Classic) a major sports tournament or competition, especially in golf or tennis:

the Australian Classic (in the UK) each of the five main flat races of the horse-racing season.

Origin:
early 17th century: from French classique or Latin classicus 'belonging to a class or division', later 'of the highest class', from classis (see class)

Usage
Note that classic means‘ typical, excellent as an example, timeless,’ as in John Ford directed many classic Westerns; , and classical means‘ relating to Greek or Roman antiquity’ (the museum was built in the classical style). Great art is considered classic, not classical, unless it is created in the forms of antiquity. Classical music is the exception to this rule, being formal music adhering to certain stylistic principles of the late 18th century.

Traditionally, classic means either ‘outstanding’, as in a classic novel, or ‘very typical and representative of its kind’, as in a classic little black dress, a classic example. Classical generally means‘ relating to Greek or Roman antiquity’ or ‘relating to serious or conventional music’: the museum was built in the classical style; he plays jazz as well as classical violin. Often classical is mistakenly used when classic is more appropriate: a classical example would be one taken from Greek or Latin whereas a classic example is the most typical example of its kind.