I kick myself for not remembering where I saw this word. But this I do remember: when I saw it, I had to research it. And boy I was impressed! I love words that cannot be defined in a single sentence. Einzelgänger is one of those words. It represents all that is so beautifully complex about language. It applies to many people, in more ways than one, and every person will have their own unique take on it, what it means, and how it affects them.
Meaning: a loner, a solitary individual, a non-conformist; someone who does things their own way, who avoids the help of others, who follows their own thinking (though see below for a deeper meaning and discussion)
Origin: From the German einzelgänger, a close translation of which is “he who goes alone”.
Discussion
Being a loner is a deeply personal trait. Einzelgänger carries the meaning of walking this world as an individual, separate from the influences or demands of everyone and everything else. Solitary people are often misunderstood. Some call them introverts. Others believe they are upset with society or people in general. Still others think they are acting against societal “norms”, that they refuse to conform to what society believes is right. All of these are both correct and incorrect to some degree, for an einzelgänger is not easily understood. Some just want to retreat from the world and live safely in their bubble. More deeply, some reject the world and all it stand for. And at the deepest end, some actively choose to live a non-conformist life.
Since humans are social beings, loners are not immune to scrutiny. People watch and notice them, and they form their own opinions about what they do and why they act this way. All of these perceptions stem from each individual’s perception of life, friendship, and social needs. But when one person’s view of social needs conflicts with another’s, who is right? Does the outgoing person have a right to demand that the loner spend more time with society? I am reminded of a thoughtful comment (though I am not sure who to attribute it to): Why do people ask me why I am so quiet? I don’t ask them why they are so loud. It’s rude.
The fact is, some people function better with less social interaction. A multitude of tired, depressed souls have experienced the greatest physical and emotional relief over the last year as social interaction has declined due to the pandemic. Conversely, many have suffered due to loneliness and other effects of social isolation. But for the loners of the world—the ones who do not feel the need to interact with people every minute or hour or the day—quiet time away from people to recharge, to reflect, to command their life is fertile soil in which they can thrive. And nobody should stop them from growing.