What Does "Cutting Edge" Mean?

I think one reason some people are slower at taking advantage of cutting edge ideas is because it involves change.

Many people are uncomfortable with change and slow to accept it. Usually something that is cutting edge means a change in the way something is done.

I think this is one reason why you see so many young people get on board with these ideas. They are not as 'set in their ways', and many of them actually look forward to changes and new ways of doing things.

I always look forward to cutting edge technology and wish that I could afford a lot of the new products that come out every year.

I am usually a little slow at embracing cutting edge products and services. I made an exception to this when they came out with cutting edge laser treatments for your eyes.

Ever since I can remember I had worn glasses or contacts, and was very excited at the thought of being able to have great vision without them.

I used my income tax money to have laser eye treatment done on my eyes. I could tell a difference as soon as I left the office. It was amazing to me that I could see clearly without needing corrective lenses.

This is one time when I was glad that I didn't wait so long to take advantage of a cutting edge procedure.

@animegal - If you are looking for cutting edge media I would suggest taking a look at viral marketing online and things like YouTube, as a news medium. For myself, I love cutting edge promotions because you never really know what is being sold until you have gotten pretty involved in the marketing.

One of the most fun viral marketing campaigns that I can remember was for the movie Cloverfield. The amount of effort that went in to making the fake websites and buzz about illegal deep-sea drilling really caught people's attention. There is just so much cutting edge media out there, you just need to think outside the box a bit.

Can anyone give me some examples of some cutting edge media?

My friends and I are working on a project and want to discuss some of the recent trends in media. We've already worked in social networking and things like blogs, but we're getting kind of stuck for material now.

Our teacher is really big on us finding the newest cutting edge media, which is requiring far more investigative research than we were counting on. I am hoping that we can find something really unique online and wrap up our presentation quickly. I would hate to have this work drag on, as we were counting on getting it done early so we could focus on other projects.

I run a small business and we are always looking for cutting edge solutions to our work related problems. We recently started to promote telecommuting for our workers, as it not only saves them on commuting costs but it cuts done our expenses as well. It is really nice not to have to pay for a larger office space anymore or even simple things like more printer ink.

We've also found that now that we are offering cutting edge supply options for our workers that productivity has gone up. With all of our staff armed with the latest laptops, tablets, and phones, we never have to worry about losing someone when they are in the middle of an important task.

I use the idioms "cutting-edge" and "state of the art" pretty often. They're similar in meaning because state of the art is also used for new and most up to date things. But state of the art is a little different because it also means that this advancement is unique and different from all others in that field.

For the most part though, I think they can be interchangeable.

@burcinc-- There is a similar idiom: "bleeding-edge" that is usually used to talk about a new technology that is risky and a little dangerous. I agree with you that "cutting-edge" is definitely positive and desirable. Something not so desirable or dependable can be said to be on the "bleeding-edge."

The origin of various idioms are really interesting. I wonder what the exact circumstance was that lead to the birth of this one.

I think it might have been taken almost literally from a knife. A knife has several edges, but only one edge is sharp and effective in cutting things. Similarly, if we were talking about a film producer that usually is the first one out of many producers to film a previously never filmed subject or story, he would be like the cutting edge of the knife. He would be said to make cutting-edge movies.

When I think of it this way, it makes a lot of sense.

I think it's also important to point out that "cutting edge" has a favorable and positive meaning. It does refer to new and innovative things, but it's used when those advancements are exciting and positive. I've never heard this idiom used for things which are negative or undesirable despite being new.

I don't think anyone would refer to a new nuclear weapon in the hands of an unfriendly government as "cutting edge." Because cutting edge also implies that it is liked and desired by people. That's why it's important for technology companies which produce gadgets to be known for their "cutting edge products." It's because people want these products and they can't wait for the next best one to be produced and released.

The same goes for any firm really, whether it's cutting edge marketing or media, it implies you're one of the best in that market. Firms that have cutting edge products and services are leaders in that sector.