얼마전에 한국에서 '엣지있게'라는 말이 유행했다고 하더군요. 어떤 뜻인지는 잘 모르겠지만, 영어의 edge라는 말의 용법을 한 번 알아보고픈 생각이 들었습니다.
먼저 사전의 정의를 알아보죠.
1. The outside limit of an object, area, or surface; a place or part farthest away from the center of something: 가장자리 * - a willow tree at the water's edge * - these measures are merely tinkering at the edges of a wider issue
2. An area next to a steep drop: 절벽 * - the cliff edge
3. The point or state immediately before something unpleasant or momentous occurs: 나쁜 일이 생기기 직전 * - the economy was teetering on the edge of recession
4. The sharpened side of the blade of a cutting implement or weapon: 칼날 * - a knife with a razor-sharp edge
5. The line along which two surfaces of a solid meet: 모서리, 각
6. A sharp, threatening, or bitter tone of voice, usually indicating the speaker's annoyance or tension: (목소리에 서려있는) 날 * - she was still smiling, but there was an edge to her voice
7. An intense, sharp, or striking quality: 특질, 풍미 * - a flamenco singer brings a primitive edge to the music
8. A quality or factor that gives superiority over close rivals or competitors: 유리한 점, 강점 * - the veal had the edge on flavor
숙어 1. have the edge on/over: to have an advantage over ~보다 유리하다, 강하다 He had the edge over his opponent. 2. on edge: uneasy; nervous 긴장한 She was on edge when waiting for her exam results. 3. on the edge 흥분한 - In a precarious position. - In a state of keen excitement, as from danger or risk: "the excitement of combat, of living on the edge" (Nelson DeMille).
사전적인 의미를 훑어보니까.. 우리 나라에서 유행하는 표현의 뜻은 "an intense, sharp, or striking quality" 에 가깝지 않을까 싶네요. 8번의 뜻도 좀 있는 것 같고요.