What is square?
The word square is a square – literally, a “four-side”.
If something is square it is “square shaped” or “squared” (meaning to resemble a square, not multiplied by itself).
While this literal meaning is not incorrect and can be used and will be understood correctly in the right context, it’s not the normal use of square.
It can also be used as an adjective to describe something or someone as inflexible, strict or somewhat set in their ways.
Why do I need to know square?
We’ve previously written about the word long haired (“long-haired”) which, like square, has both literal and figurative meanings, and the figurative meanings are opposites in some senses, which can make them easier to remember.
While long haired means a concept that is very abstract, philosophical, or unrealistic, square is much easier to, erm, put in a box with a label on.
If a person is set in their ways and doesn’t like to change their methods, they might be described as square. A set of rules which can often be impractical but always strictly applied are also square.
Something very simple and without any nuance is also square, making it easier to understand. It is this use that is closest to being an opposite of long haired, in my experience.
Examples
He is a very square man, so don’t ask him if he wants to buy Heinz instead of Beauvais ketchup.
He’s very set in his ways, so don’t ask him to buy Heinz Ketchup instead of Beauvais.
The rules are very square. If you walk on the grass, you will be fined. There are no exceptions.
The rules are very clear. If you walk on the grass, you will receive a fine. There are no exceptions.
In the eighties, cars looked much more square than they do today.
Cars had a far more square-shaped appearance in the 1980s than they do now.