pulp fiction

noun

1. fiction dealing with lurid or sensational subjects, often printed on rough, low-quality paper manufactured from wood pulp.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pulp fiction¹

An Americanism dating back to 1950–55

When To Use

What is pulp fiction?

Pulp fiction refers to a genre of racy, action-based stories published in cheaply printed magazines from around 1900 to the 1950s, mostly in the United States.Pulp fiction gets its name from the paper it was printed on. Magazines featuring such stories were typically published using cheap, ragged-edged paper made from wood pulp. These magazines were sometimes called pulps.Pulp fiction created a breeding ground for new and exciting genres. Though the heyday of pulp fiction magazines has passed, their eye-catching covers and dramatic, fast-paced, and simple stories have left behind a legacy that can be seen in today’s movies, TV, books, and comics featuring action heroes and over-the-top villains.