Fandom Key Terms

 

Each community is a functioning culture: they have their own name and associated beliefs. Each fandom has a unique set of internal informal rules and niches, source specific keywords, points of contention and conflicts and resounding agreements. The terms of each individual fandom can get quite clique-y and specific. Below are some of the general terms associated with Fandoms.

 

 

AU (Alternative Universe)

When fanfic takes characters beyond the parametres of the canon. The fanfic creator may put them in a different space, time, and location or may introduce new aspects to the story. It also includes creating alternative endings for particular series or episodes.

 

Canon

A way of differentiating the official story line from fan fiction creations. Canon refers to the original work, and the source of the resulting fan-fiction.

 

Crossover 

Occurs when two sources are combined. For example a character may appear in another film or TV series, or a show may acknowledge the existence of a particular show or event within their fictional world.

eg: the new Man of Steel movie features Batman [Batman vs. Superman]

 

FanFic (Also known as Fan Fiction)

The term for fans’ creative work that builds on the original show. This was originally writing but can now involve videos, animations, artworks, anything.

 

Fangirling

An adverse reaction fans have in response to a mention of their obsession. Typical reactions include squealing, heart palipations, shortness of breath, uncontrollable sobbing, high-pitched noises, indesciherable syllables and excessive exclamation points in twitter and tumblr posts. *Note: This is not limited to females, but typically males don’t readily display obvious symptoms.

eg: OMG! THE SEASON FINALE OF BREAKING BAD! OMGOMGOMG! SQUEEEE! I AM FANGIRLING SO HARD RIGHT NOW! [Breaking Bad]

 

OTP (One True Pairing)

This title is given to a fan’s favourite combination of characters. They are the one relationship that the fan will defend faithfully. You can have only one OTP.

eg: Turk/JD is my OTP. [Scrubs]

 

Pairing 

Similar to ‘ship’ this term is used to describe a coupling or relationship a fan supports. They support the ‘pairing’. This typically involves combining the characters names to create the name of the ‘pairing’.

eg: “I love the Caskett pairing in season 5.” [Castle]

                

Ship (Relationship)

To ‘ship’ something means a fan wants two characters to get together, or remain together. Essentially they support the relationship between the characters.

eg: “After the Yule Ball scene I ship Ginny and Neville.” [Harry Potter]

 

Shipper 

A term used to describe a fan who supports a ‘ship’ or relationship.

eg:  “Jenny is a Jaime/Brienne shipper.” [Game of Thrones]

 

Slash

A homosexual pairing of usually 2 male characters, but can be 2 females. It derives from characters commonly shown with a slash in between their names to show their pairing.

eg: A lot of Sherlockians promote the John/Sherlock slash called Johnlock [Sherlock]