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Straight Edge (sXe, xXx, or "Edge") refers to a lifestyle, a personal commitment, a philosophy, and a subculture that is closely associated with hardcore punk music. Straight edgers abstain from recreational drugs, including tobacco and alcohol. Some followers of the straight-edge philosophy also abstain from promiscuous sex, the regular use of painkillers, and the intake of caffeine. Some also practice vegetarianism or veganism. Originally inspired by the hardcore punk community that came together at punk/HC shows such as that of the bands Minor Threat and The Teen Idles, straight edge has spread around the world, but is most popular in more economically developed nations. Although straight edgers do not necessarily identify with a particular world view on social or political issues, straight edge is sometimes associated with the precepts of anarchism and atheism. THE X IN THE HANDS:::: At punk rock shows, it became common practice to mark an X on the hands of under-aged concert goers to ensure that the bouncers would recognize a minor attempting to drink alcohol. This association with not drinking has led an "X" on the hand to become a symbol for straight-edge philosophies. Some people interpret this as a symbol of Ian MacKaye's "don't smoke, don't drink, don't fuck" ethos. Many adopters of the "straight edge" lifestyle voluntarily marked their hands in the same way to show their commitment to alcohol abstinence. Also widespread is the tattooing of the X symbol on other parts of the body or wearing it on clothing, pins, et cetera. Three Xs (XXX) have their origin in artwork created by Minor Threat's drummer, Jeff Nelson, in which he replaced the three stars in the band's hometown Washington D.C. flag with Xs. The X is considered both a mark of negation and a mark of identity. Attaching the X to one's name or band name is common practice for straight edgers. For example, 'John Doe' would become 'johnXdoe', or 'xjohnx'. "Straight edge" is sometimes abbreviated sXe(es-ex-ee) following much the same logic by which hardcore is sometimes abbreviated "hXc".

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