Post 12: The Fandom Dictionary

AYO GG Project of Thai Sones during Super Joint Concert
credtis: owner

   

   Once you entered the world of Fandom, there are a lot of words that one must know. The article, A Guide to Fandom Terms by FandomWanderers, these words will guide every fan. Especially if you're new to the fandom, you might misunderstand some words that fans usually use. It's like a survival to know what's going on while talking about your idols for some time.

ANON - This means anonymous. When you're online, of course, you try to be friends with your fellow fans who are the same fandom as you. You talk to them online without revealing who you are. You remain friends, but they will not know your physical appearance or anything personal about you.

AU/AR - Alternative use/reality. A fan created term which denotes work like in a canon-like way.

BNF - Big Name Fan. Someone who is mostly known in the fandom. Those who take charge in events, admins of pages or fan sites, or even those people who are in the fandom for quite a long time. Like the name itself, they are big fans.

CANON - It is what the media shows. You're a fan of the media who gives the information and updates you  look out for. You may always check out their site to see photo updates about the idols that could be added to your collection. It could also be news, anything that can be your source of information.

CON - Conventions. Gatherings, meet ups, special events where fans attend. It could be comic books, anime, cosplay, or music-related. In these kind of events, fans were able to buy merchandises, CDs, play games, have competitions, jam with bands performing on stage, and a lot more. There are multiple number of conventions held every year and many people attend to spend time together with friends, family, or if by themselves if they want to.

COSPLAY - Costume Play. Fans will wear costumes to present their favorite/selected characters. Cosplay are popular to convention events. Cosplay is no ordinary dress up, they are identified according to the character they represent. Cosplayer's identity when cosplaying is often hidden because they transform into a whole different person once they step out. In Cosplay Competitions, cosplayers will act or perform anything related to the character they represent. This includes singing, dancing, acting, fights (not real), or other gestures.

FANDOM - A group of fans who come together as fans. Some fandoms have their own names, like Beliebers, Selanators, Lovatics, Sones, Shawols, VIPs, Directioners, Swifties, and many more. Fandoms have been spreading throughout the globe and huge fandoms are known from popular idols. 

credits: taenghuan

FAN ART - Art or visuals created by fans. Usually are photos that fans made up with making a drawing or any kind of visual presentation. Something that is cartoon, chibi, or anime-like type of art created by fans.

FAN FICTION - Stories written by fans. Most fan fictions are only made up by fans. It could be either they change the story, they add a character, they can even add themselves and make a whole new story between them and the character they like! Anything is possible once they started writing.

FAN VIDS - Visual media/presentation/videos created by fans. Fans usually make these fan made videos for fun, like they gather all their idol's moments, especially for groups or bands. Another is dedications, fans makes fan vids so they can make a dedication, or special video for their idol to show their love and appreciation.

FANON - Fan created theories presenting a story which is not completely true. 

HATEDOM - If fandom is about fans, then hatedom is the opposite. From its name, hate, it is similar to antis. If fandom express their love and support, hatedom expresses their hate or dislike for that person.

HEAD CANON - It is a canon created by fans. It is entirely different from fanon. People usually mistaken it as literally real canon.

MARY SUE - A term used to describe a particular character. It is usually used in Fan Fics to describe what kind of character he/she is. Mary Sue is also a character who is important in the story; someone who has all the skills, or abilities.

NFSW - Not Safe For Work. Just by looking at its meaning, 'not safe'. Similar to what the article said, "Don't look at anything with these words in a public place."

OOC - Out Of Character. For example, if you're watching an episode and the character performs an action, you react to that character. Whatever that character have done, you react that he shouldn't have done that based on the previous actions, episodes, or his personality trait; that's what you call Out Of Character. 

PWP - Porn without Plot. The meaning says it all. 

RP - Role Play. Since most fans interact with each other inside the internet, they role play characters or real idols. They act like them, including what they do, their attitude, what would be their reactions, and other things. Role playing is acting by just typing the words and add the other necessary expressions you want or emoticons. 

RPF - Real Person Fic. This type of fan fictions are written about real life idols: singers, dancers, hosts, actors/actresses, etc. rather than fictional characters in other fan fics. But similar to fan fics, fans create their own story about them.

SHIP - From the word, "relationship", shipping is a term used if you want two persons or characters to be together. Also, some create names for their OTP (One True Pairing). For example, in a Korean show, "We Got Married" Yeongseo and Seohyun, as a couple and if you ship them, fans call them, "YeongSeo" couple.

SLASH - Homosexual Ships. According to the source, its name came from the "/" used between the character names. Since many sites are increasing related to this one, they include warnings about this slash. 

   Even though fandom has a lot of terms or words used, once the world of fandom continues, more of these might be added. This is only a set of words to guide fellow fans who are confused when they are together with other fans. But, being in the fandom only means it will be more fun and interesting once you've known all the words that most fans do/use.