subliteraturen.
/ˈsʌbˌlɪt(ə)rᵻtʃə/, U.S. /ˈsəbˌlɪdər(ə)tʃər/, /ˈsəbˌlɪdərəˌtʃʊ(ə)r/, /ˈsəbˌlɪtrəˌtʃʊ(ə)r/, /ˈsəbˌlɪdərəˌt(j)ʊ(ə)r/ Novels and other printed matter having popular appeal and considered to be of no lasting artistic merit; a type of this.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > [noun] > specific types of literature > inferior
bum fodder1654
slosh1894
subliterature1906
bumf1917
pulp1928
1906 20th Cent. Q. Nov. 111 The vigorous sub-literature produced by Miss Marie Corelli and her kind provoke some inevitable thoughts.
1954 Times 12 July 9/5 These books form an extensive area of ‘sub-literature’ publishing directed largely at the popular circulating library market.
1968 ETC. June 219 The dirty joke—one of the noblest forms of subliterature that exists.
1971 Jrnl. Mod. Lit. 1 690 The usefulness to cultural backgrounds of sub-literatures and minor genres is traditionally assumed.
2006 T. Andrae C. Barks & Disney Comic Bk. i. 8 While film, jazz, and video have been elevated to the level of art, comics have traditionally been considered subliterature.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1906