Meaning of “Different Strokes for Different Folks”
The phrase ‘Different strokes for different folks’ means that the people have different tastes, preferences and behavior. It indicates that the life has no specific guidelines that one should follow. Meaning thereby, it is not necessary that the things which may help one person are helpful for other persons. This phrase is often used in the context of promoting tolerance and understanding. It tells the people to accept and appreciate the characteristics of others.
For example, the sentence “I enjoy cooking elaborate meals every night, but I understand that some people prefer takeout—different strokes for different folks” is an indication of acceptance the fact that while one may find it worthwhile to prepare a complex meal every day, others may not have the time or the inclination to do so.
The phrase is commonly used in cases when there is a stark distinction between the two options or attitudes. It is a gentle reminder that variation is an essential part of existence. Whether talking about interests, jobs, ways of living, or beliefs, this particular phrase unfolds the fact that people have different preferences.
Origin of “Different Strokes for Different Folks”
The origin of the phrase “Different Strokes for Different Folks” is attributed to 1960s, a time of peculiar social transformation and emergence of new culture in America.
The phrase is widely believed to have been originated by the American soul singer and songwriter Sly Stone, who used it in 1968 in the song ‘Everyday People’, recorded with his band Sly and the Family Stone.
In “Everyday People,” Stone sings:
“I am no better and neither are you, we are the same whatever we do. You love me, you hate me, you know me and then, you can’t figure out the bag I’m in. I am everyday people, yeah, yeah.”
“Different strokes for different folks, and so on and so on and scooby-dooby-doo.”
This song became the anthem of the Civil Rights Movement, as people joined their voices in singing ‘We Shall Overcome’, calling for equality and integration with fulfillment of civil rights for all.
The lyrics on the song ‘different strokes for different folks’ tell everyone this truth and wants people to accept people’s differences without attempting to condemn them.
The term was quickly adopted and became one of the keywords of the mainstream culture of protest and rebellion. It was taken up by different people and organizations that wanted to fight for the rights of the minorities.
The phrase has become popular in subcultures around the English speaking world, which carries the message of being tolerant to individuals’ differences.
Examples of “Different Strokes for Different Folks” in Literature
“Different strokes for different folks” has made its way into literature, where it has been used by authors to emphasize themes of individuality, tolerance and the complexity of human nature.
The phrase has appeared in various novels, essays, and poems, often serving as a reminder that diversity is a fundamental aspect of life. Below are some notable examples of the phrase “different strokes for different folks” being used in literature, along with an explanation of the context in which it appears.
Example#1
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by in Maya Angelou
This phrase has also been quoted by authors in their prose works to portray uniqueness, acceptance and the multi-faceted nature of people. Following are the literary usage of phrase “different strokes for different folks” along with the context in which it was applied:
In one passage, Angelou reflects on the diversity of human experiences:
“We all have our ways of coping with the world, and it’s those ways that define us. Some find solace in religion, others in art, and some in nothing at all. Different strokes for different folks, I suppose. What works for one doesn’t always work for another, and that’s the beauty and tragedy of life.”
In this autobiographical narrative, the phrase, “different strokes for different folks” literally bears the meaning of how individuals’ experiences and attitudes are conditioned by their personal situations.
Here, the author employs the phrase in an attempt to understand the many ways people deal with the hardships of life. The use of this particular expression calls for tolerance and acceptance, a message prevailing throughout the book as Angelou emphasizes the need for people to embrace the differences.
Example#2
“The Color Purple” by Alice Walker
The author uses the phrase “different strokes for different folks” in the novel to indicate the differences in the characters’ ways of living, loving, and learning. It is an early twentieth century narration of a black woman, Celie Johnson who is oppressed all her life but eventually triumphs and comes into her own.
In a conversation between Celie and her friend Shug, Shug says:
“You got to understand, Celie, that people got their own way of doing things. You and me, we different, and that’s alright. Different strokes for different folks, you know? What works for me ain’t necessarily gonna work for you, and that’s fine.”
In this dialogue, Shug uses the phrase to comfort Celie by telling her that it’s all right if they are different in their thinking and approach to the world.
The expression amplifies the idea of the novel and reduces prejudice and embrace of oneself and individuals in the community. Walker’s use of the phrase ‘different strokes for different folks’ demonstrates the self-discovery concept dominant in the novel.
Example#3
“Beloved” by Toni Morrison
In Beloved, Morrison effectively advocates the representation of the post-slavery African American experience by invoking the Creole expression “different strokes for different folks” …The novel won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988. It is most famous for its themes of meditations on memory, guilt and redemption.
In a reflective moment, the character Sethe contemplates the choices made by those around her:
“What makes a person whole ain’t the same for everyone. Some find peace in forgetting, others in remembering. Different strokes for different folks, I reckon. Ain’t no one way to heal, no one way to live.”
The use of the phrase “different strokes for different folks” indicates the ways in which the characters of the novel attempt to find solace and overcome suffering.
This phrase emphasizes that everyone has his own way in treatment, healing, and acceptance of his/her own life’s experiences. This statement is aligned with other themes in the novel such as survival and the nature of life and human existence.
Examples of “Different Strokes for Different Folks” in Contemporary Literature
The phrase is still found being used in today’s context in different forms, though the intended message of the subject focuses on creativity, diversity, and people’s choice. Even in recent novels, essays, and poetry, the idiom is used to encapsulate the theme that there are no fixed rules about how to live one’s life.
Example#1
“The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” by Junot Díaz
The protagonist shows internal conflict and struggle in attempt to conform to the societal norms throughout the novel. At one point, a character reflects on the different ways people pursue happiness:
“Oscar, he’s got his own way of seeing the world, and that’s cool. Different strokes for different folks, you know? Not everyone needs to fit into the same mold to be happy.”
Here, the phrase is used to support the main character, and all her actions and thoughts, as well as to emphasize the importance of the novel’s main message of the importance of individuality.
Example#2
“Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng
‘Different strokes for different folks’ has been used in the novel to describe the vast difference between the two lead characters Elena Richardson and Mia Warren’s attitudes towards life and especially motherhood. The novel deals with the issues, such as privilege, identity and rebellion between the norms of a suburb community.
In one scene, Elena reflects on Mia’s unconventional lifestyle:
“Mia was so different from anyone Elena had ever known—unstructured, free-spirited, almost reckless. Yet, in her own way, she seemed content. Different strokes for different folks, Elena mused. What worked for Mia wouldn’t work for her, but perhaps that was the point.”
Here, the phrase captures the primary dichotomy of the novel, the opposition between orderly, conventional life associated with Elena and fluid, artistic life symbolized by Mia.
”Different strokes for different folks” demonstrates that no one is perfect, and everyone can live as they want with their children, which correlates with the overall message of the novel about the importance of tolerance and the harm of bigotry.
Cultural Impact and Popularity
As an idiom, “Different strokes for different folks” remains popular in popular culture mainly because of its rhyming scheme as well as optimistic message of acceptance. Since its first appearance, it was used in different situations, in TV programs, in advertisement, and up to now it is popular among young people and elders.
1- Television and Media
The phrase has become entrenched in popular culture. It has been used in many television shows and movies, where the uniqueness of characters or situations are emphasized.
It is noteworthy that the phrase became especially popular after the American television series i.e. ‘Diff’rent Strokes (1978–1986)’, which unfolds the story of two African American brothers from Harlem who were adopted by a white man, a successful businessman.
The title of the show is a pun on the idiom to draw the viewers’ attention to the series’ topics like race, family and mixed heritage.
The phrase has also been used in other television dramas and movies to indicate the diverse and broad representation of people’s experience.
For example, in sitcom Friends, Phoebe frequently employs the phrase to justify her behavior and opinions, which further establishes her as the show’s eccentric, carefree soul.
2- Advertising and Marketing
The phrase ‘different strokes for different folks’ has been used in the context of advertisement and marketing where consumers are looking for customized products and services. Firms have adopted this tag line to stress that their products are made according to the needs and preferences of the customers.
For example, an advertisement for a customizable smartphone might use the tagline:
“Different strokes for different folks—create a phone that’s uniquely you.”
In this excerpt, the phrase has been utilized to convey the theme of flexibility of the product as well as giving the consumers chances to make decisions that may correspond to their preferences. Due to its connection with personalization and liberty, the idiom is reliable for marketing various products that can target people with differences.
See also: The More The Merrier
3- Music and Pop Culture
The phrase “different strokes for different folks” has been used in music and pop culture especially to support and encourage the themes of diversity, acceptance and tolerance.
The phrase has also been repeated in other songs sung by different artists who support causes like equality as seen in the Sly and the Family Stone song “Everyday People.”
For example, the highly regarded hip-hop team A Tribe Called Quest made use of the phrase in its 1990 song titled “Award Tour” to indicate the significance of honoring diverse civilizations and worldviews.
The group sang an idiom in their song resonates to their stake of encouraging people to appreciate music and respect each other.
Example Sentences of “Different Strokes for Different Folks”
- I know you love opera, but different strokes for different folks – I just can’t get into it no matter how hard I try!
- When it comes to parenting, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach – it’s different strokes for different folks.
- Don’t judge her unusual fashion sense too harshly – it’s just different strokes for different folks.
- I don’t understand why black licorice is so popular, but hey, different strokes for different folks.
- If early morning workouts give you energy, go for it! But different strokes for different folks – I’m a night owl gym rat.
- We may have different political ideologies, but live and let live I say – different strokes for different folks.
- Some people love the hustle and bustle of city life, while others prefer the countryside. Different strokes for different folks!
- I’ll take a comedy over a horror movie any day, but different strokes for different folks according to my friend.
- If you really think that haircut looks good on you, I say different strokes for different folks!
- While I hated algebra in school, my sister loved it. Like they say, different strokes for different folks when it comes to learning.
See also: Doff Your Hat
