What makes avant-garde avant-garde?

[Malignd]

<<What is it that makes avant-garde writing
avant-garde?>>

I think the term is meaningless, a perhaps once-useful
term that no longer has currency except in historic
terms; e.g., in speaking of what was once considered
avant-garde.

As a general, non-specific term for what might be new
and different it seems now precious, even ludicrous.  
It certainly doesn't describe any specific movement or
trend I know of.
  

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