#144 / "on fleek" [Definition Provided]

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One of the reasons to read Rodham, a novel by Curtis Sittenfeld, is to become exposed to the expression, "on fleek." At least, that was one of my takeaways. Maybe you already know that expression, but if you don't, you can stand by for the definition.

Another reason to hunt down the book, and read it, might be to learn something about failed presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton. Even though the book is fiction, Sittenfeld makes clear, in her "Acknowledgements," that she did a lot of historical research before she sat down to start telling her tale, and the first part of the book, particularly, does seem to be a close-to-accurate account of Hillary's early life and connection to Bill Clinton. I thought that Sittenfeld's description of Hillary (albeit a reimagined Hillary) was actually pretty much on fleek [stand by for the definition].

Let me make one disclaimer, though. There is a lot of sex in the first part of the book - or at least references to sex - and I can't vouch for the accuracy of what's reported (and I doubt that Sittenfeld can either).

If you are interested in politics (and particularly at the "presidential" level), Rodham provides what I think are probably very accurate descriptions of how presidential campaigns are run. In the book - it's fiction, remember, not biography - Hillary never does marry Bill, and Bill never does become president. George H.W. Bush becomes president, though. And Barack Obama does, too. And so does Jerry Brown, and so does John McCain. 

What about Hillary Rodham? Well, she also becomes president, beating out Bill Clinton for the Democratic Party nomination in 2016. Now you know the plot trajectory. The attraction of the story (if you end up being attracted to it) is the fact that it does seem to tell a story that "might" have come true, knowing what we all know about the "real" (non-fictional) Hillary and Bill. 

Then, there's that expression, "on fleek." It plays a part in the novel, and I initially assumed that this expression was just "made up," as things found in novels often are. Not at all. It's a real expression!

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Definition: "on fleek"

Merriam Webster

perfectly done : exactly right : EXCELLENT

On fleek or not, fleek is a word worth knowing.
Update: This word was added to the dictionary in October 2021

Born in a Vine video on June 21, 2014, the term "fleek" is a busy word. It was originally (and still is most commonly) applied to perfectly-groomed eyebrows, but the word has been used to describe everything from hash browns to skateboards.

Fleek does usually appear in the phrase "on fleek." Like the phrase "on point," it's used to mean basically "perfectly done" or "exactly right."

Urban Dictionary
1. adj. hella; on point
2 adj. very good
1. My eyebrows are on fleek
2. James' personality is on fleek
eyebrow fleek great

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While I have appreciated the opportunity to learn the meaning of "on fleek," which I never would have done without reading Rodham, I do not intend to make this expression a part of my normal conversation. I pretty much agree with the following commentary - which I found in Urban Dictionary when I went hunting for the definition of "on fleek."

on fleek

A word used by those intent on decimating the English language, and further depleting the ever dwindling repository of individuals capable of intellectual conversation. 

For anyone who uses the term 'on fleek' I've added links to the big words to help you out.

I have a terrible vocabulary because I am a high school dropout. I have difficulty expressing myself with actual words, so I compensate for my inadequacies by using made up words and hope that no one questions it. In the likely event that someone DOES question it, I will react as if they are laughably out of touch. My portrayal of an uneducated social media whore is on fleek.

by Darrylbster January 26, 2016

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Image Credit:

https://www.amazon.com/Rodham/dp/0593230523