The term "Beatnik" refers to a member of the Beat Generation, a literary and cultural movement that emerged in the 1950s in the United States. Beatniks were known for their rejection of conventional society, embracing alternative lifestyles, and exploring themes of spirituality, sexuality, and personal freedom. They often expressed their ideas through poetry, literature, and art, with notable figures including Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. Beatniks were characterized by their distinctive fashion, which included berets, turtlenecks, and goatees. They frequented coffeehouses and jazz clubs, where they would gather to share their work and ideas. The movement had a lasting impact on American culture, influencing later countercultural movements and the rise of hippie culture in the 1960s.