<P> Straight edge (sometimes abbreviated sXe or signified by XXX or X) is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco and other recreational drugs, in reaction to the excesses of punk subculture . For some, this extends to refraining from engaging in promiscuous sex, following a vegetarian or vegan diet or not using caffeine or prescription drugs . The term straight edge was adopted from the 1981 song "Straight Edge" by the hardcore punk band Minor Threat . </P> <P> Straight edge emerged amid the early - 1980s hardcore punk scene . Since then, a wide variety of beliefs and ideas have been associated with some members of the movement, including vegetarianism and animal rights . Ross Haenfler writes that as of the late 1990s, approximately three out of four straight edge participants were vegetarian or vegan . While the commonly expressed aspects of the straight edge subculture have been abstinence from alcohol, nicotine, and illegal drugs, there have been considerable variations on how far to take the interpretations of "abstaining from intoxicants" or "living drug - free". Disagreements often arise as to the primary reasons for living straight edge . Straight edge politics are primarily left - wing and revolutionary but there have been conservative offshoots . </P>

Where did the term straight edge come from