bakersfield
bakersfield Lexical Profile
• noun
American A major city located in the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County, California, noted as a significant regional hub for agriculture and energy production.
American A prominent subgenre of country music developed in the mid-20th century, characterized by a rough, twangy, honky-tonk sound featuring electric instruments and twin fiddles.
"The legendary artist was instrumental in defining the gritty edge of Bakersfield, distinguishing it from the polished pop of the Nashville sound."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often used attributively in the context of country music to refer to the 'Bakersfield sound,' a raw, electric, honky-tonk style that emerged as a reaction against the highly produced Nashville sound.
Word Origin & Etymology
Named after Colonel Thomas Baker, an early settler in the region whose field, known as 'Baker's Field,' became a popular rest stop for travelers traversing California in the mid-19th century.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.