# When did the expression "low-key" start being used? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 6, 2023, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-expression-low-key-start-being-used/977780 "2023-01-06T10:57:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-expression-low-key-start-being-used/977780/41 "2023-01-08T04:49:35Z")
Not true. I hear it used in the manner described in the OP all the time. I understand how it’s currently used. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-expression-low-key-start-being-used/977780/42 "2023-01-08T05:22:02Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > of which there are many sub-types (amelioration, pejoration, narrowing, broadening, etc.) It’s a combination of generalization and specialization that I’m thinking of. The usage defocuses to include more meanings, but then refocuses in on something different than the original. I.e., A → A+B/A+C/A+D → A+B → B. I suppose this alternating pattern is probably common and allows meaning to travel great distances. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-expression-low-key-start-being-used/977780/43 "2023-01-08T13:45:03Z")
Here are two fun examples (just read the few paragraphs of text): > **[The changing meanings of 'nice' and 'silly'](https://www.michiganradio.org/arts-culture/2013-10-27/the-changing-meanings-of-nice-and-silly?_amp=true)** > > Sometimes saying something or someone is nice is not a compliment.On this week’s edition of That’s What They Say, host Rina Miller and University of… ---
**Author:** ![Dissonance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Dissonance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dissonance)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-expression-low-key-start-being-used/977780/44 "2023-01-08T20:08:27Z")
At the risk of having the question of “what in the hell is a vtuber?” raised, here’s an example of the modern usage of ‘lowkey’ in the wild; Enna uses it three times in under three minutes in this clip. Enna is a Canadian vtuber of Philippine descent in the vtuber group Nijisanji; she is probably in her 20s. [Enna meets a Hot but Nerdy Watch Salesman with her Mom - Nijisanji EN - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBu86fX032U) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2023, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-expression-low-key-start-being-used/977780/45 "2023-01-09T14:30:38Z")
Good example. ---
**Author:** ![Datedman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Datedman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Datedman)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-expression-low-key-start-being-used/977780/46 "2026-01-17T06:03:26Z")
FWIW, I’ve been professional musician for over 50 years playing jazz, latin, pop, rock, orchestral music etc and I have never heard anyone use the term low-key in relation to music. In fact I’m pretty sure no one ever has because it doesn’t make any sense. There’s 12 keys, you can go up or down to get to any key and it doesn’t make any difference. I suspect people who think the origin comes from there are just wildly guessing 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2026, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-expression-low-key-start-being-used/977780/47 "2026-01-17T16:01:14Z")
I’ve never thought the term had anything to do with music. I’ve used it with photography since I remember taking photos, and as part of an expression since forever (I’m 50, so my “forever” may be less than yours.) However, the speculation is that it does have something to do with music and sound: > **[Low-key - Etymology, Origin & Meaning](https://www.etymonline.com/word/low-key)** > > by 1895, perhaps 1847, from low key in some sense relating to deep musical tone or quiet sound; see low (adj.) + key (n.1). Low key in refer [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-expression-low-key-start-being-used/977780.md?page=2)