What would you call the opposite of a "bandwagon jumper?"

Question

I'm looking for a word or phrase to succinctly describe someone who prefers to follow unpopular causes.

Hi, welcome to ELU! Can you add a bit more information, especially what words you have considered and why you've rejected them? Questions here are meant to be as well-developed as possible. Cheers! — Conrado, Jan 09 '23 at 02:00
Do not post suggestions as comments. Answers go in the answer box. — tchrist, Jan 09 '23 at 04:05

score 10 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 09 '23 at 06:08

10

You could perhaps use the word contrarian:

contrarian, noun: a person who takes a contrary position or attitude (Merriam-Webster)

More specifically:

contrarian, noun: someone such as a writer or politician who likes to disagree with other people and express opinions that are unpopular (Cambridge)

There is also the word 'maverick,' which has many definitions that sort of touch on your description, although whether it fits your purposes exactly I'm not sure.

answered Jan 09 '23 at 06:08

Heartspring

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Thanks! I was looking for just this: something with a mildly negative connotation, like "bandwagon jumper." – paulkernfeld Jan 09 '23 at 19:06

score 5 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 09 '23 at 14:05

Consider counterculturalist, hipster, or bohemian. From Wiktionary:

counterculture
1. Any culture whose values and lifestyles are opposed to those of the established mainstream culture, especially to western culture.
counterculturalist
1. One who engages in counterculture.
hipster
1. A member of Bohemian counterculture.
bohemian
1. someone known for flouting social conventions, especially someone involved in the arts.

user405662 · Answer 3 · 2023-01-09T12:45:23.860

4

Maverick is one possibility.

Per Merriam-Webster, the word means

an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party

edited Jan 09 '23 at 12:45

answered Jan 09 '23 at 07:08

user405662

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Hmm... I think a "maverick" is more someone who does their own thing regardless of the group, rather than because they're actively avoiding following the group – ScottishTapWater Jan 09 '23 at 14:29

Peter · Answer 4 · 2023-01-09T07:44:51.003

1

"Devil's advocate" may carry part of the meaning you intend to convey.

One who argues against a cause or position, not as a committed opponent but simply for the sake of argument or to determine the validity of the cause or position.

edited Jan 09 '23 at 07:44

answered Jan 09 '23 at 07:18

Peter

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score 0 · Answer 5 · answered Jan 09 '23 at 14:28

If you simply mean someone who does not rush to follow the latest trends (as opposed to one who actively seeks out something else), then perhaps:

…all of which refer to one who is unwilling to change, set in their ways, old-fashioned, unprogressive, and/or resistant to change.

What would you call the opposite of a "bandwagon jumper?"

5 Answers5