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'''Fanboy''' is a term used to describe any individual who is devoted to a single subject in an emotional or fanatical manner, or to a single point of view within that subject, often to the point where it is considered an obsession.


'''Fanboy''' or '''fanboi''' is a term used to describe a male who is utterly devoted to a single subject or [[hobby]], often to the point where it is considered an [[obsession]].  
==History==
According to the [[Merriam-Webster]] Collegiate Dictionary, the earliest known use of the term "fanboy" in an English-language publication dates to 1919.<ref name="mw">[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fanboy fanboy. (2008)]. In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved July 7, 2008.</ref>
{{?}}
In [[comic book]] culture, a 1982 reference is to the cover of the "Official Underground and Newave Comix Price Guide".  On this cover page are sketched overweight, overzealous comic book collectors wearing T-shirts that state "Fanboys of America," who are describing the extreme measures they would go to, including moving to San Francisco, to preserve their comics.


==History of fanboys and the term==
Also published in 1982, a comic strip appeared in Jim Engel and Chuck Fiala's "Fandom Confidential" comic.  In the strip, Jim and Chuck met comic artist/writer [[John Byrne]] and collapsed into "mindless paroxysms of adoration."  The John Byrne character responded that they were "a couple of fanboys in bondage" (a play on words referring to a [[List of Monty Python's Flying Circus episodes#10. E. Henry Thripshaw.27s Disease|Monty Python sketch]] in which an Elizabethan era character reads what she claims to be a new Shakespeare work called "Gay Boys in Bondage"). <ref>[http://www.byrnerobotics.com/FAQ/listing.asp?ID=7&T1=Miscellaneous+Questions#154 Byrne Robotics: FAQ<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Another early use is in a smart-alec editorial reply by "[[Ambush Bug]]" to a letter in his comic in 1985.
The term originated in [[comic book]] circles, to describe someone who immersed himself in the fictional worlds of comics and the culture of comics fandom, to the exclusion of a more mainstream social life. The term is often used in a derogatory manner by other, less serious fans of the same material. Some fans use the term to label themselves; in the songs of the fannish [[parody]] [[musician]] [[Luke Ski]], many characters proudly consider themselves ''fanboys''. The term is usually applied to people in their teens or 20s. Within this group, common subjects of reverence by fanboys are [[TV show]]s, [[film|movie]]s, [[anime]], [[car]]s, [[video game console]]s, [[video games]], [[operating system]]s, [[MMORPG]]s, and [[software]] companies.  


The stereotypical image of the fanboy is as an unkempt, socially awkward, and generally unattractive figure of a young man who appears as a loud mouthed [[pseudo-intellectual]]. A popular depiction of this stereotype is the [[Comic Book Guy]] on ''[[The Simpsons]]''. In the mid [[1990s]], the emergence of [[slacker]] culture changed this image somewhat. Movies such as [[Kevin Smith]]'s Jersey Trilogy (''[[Clerks]]'', ''[[Mallrats]]'', and ''[[Chasing Amy]]''), altered the image of the fanboy. As electronic entertainment gained popularity, the term became increasingly applied to video gamers and television addicts. As a result, a subculture emerged which readily labeled itself as fanboys. Within this group, more effort is taken to fit in with a perceived standard, resulting in a more outgoing attitude, even among those with insecurities. Those not as deeply involved in the culture often view this attitude as abrasive.
By 1990 the term was being used in [[popular music]] and [[science fiction]] circles<ref>
[http://groups.google.com/groups/search?lr=&safe=off&num=10&q=fanboy&safe=off&qt_s=Search&as_drrb=b&as_mind=1&as_minm=1&as_miny=1981&as_maxd=1&as_maxm=1&as_maxy=1990 USENET use before 1990]
</ref>{{Failed verification|date=September 2008}}, and as electronic entertainment gained popularity, the term became increasingly applied to [[computer]]s and [[video game consoles]] - with people often developing an obsessive loyalty towards one platform or brand.  


One example of this behavior is found in the [[video game industry]], where fans of any given [[video game console]] manufacturer can exhibit very high levels of devotion to their brand of choice, often at the expense of considering competing brands objectively. This attitude can lead to rudeness towards fans of competing brands or towards those who do not share their level of devotion to their console of choice. This pattern has contributed to a more negative connotation of the term.
Current subjects of such obsessive loyalty include areas of: [[TV show]]s; [[film|movie]]s; [[music]]; [[anime]]; [[comic book]]s; [[car]]s; [[furry fandom|furries]]; [[video game console]]s, [[video games]] and [[MMORPG]]s; and [[computer]] [[operating system]]s, [[computer Hardware|hardware]] and [[software]].
<ref>
[http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/11/whos-nuttier-ap.html "Who's Nuttier, Apple Fanatics or Ron Paul Enthusiasts?", Wired Magazine]
</ref>
"Fanboy" was added to the [[Merriam-Webster]] Collegiate Dictionary in 2008.<ref>[http://www.welt.de/english-news/article2186069/New_words_in_the_Merriam-Webster_dictionary_.html New words in the Merriam-Webster dictionary] [[Die Welt]] online, 7 July 2008</ref>


Fanboys are often perceived as possessing a [[sycophant]]ic devotion to the creators behind the object of their passion, but also as being likely to move their focus quickly elsewhere with just as much passion, once something else catches their attention. 
One of the original and most famous fanboy websites is [[Ain't It Cool News]].
One example of this is [[Harry Knowles]] and his associates at [[Ain't It Cool News]], whose particular focus is on [[film|movies]] in the [[action movie|action]], [[fantasy]], adventure and [[superhero]] genres.
==Fangirl==
Fanboys are also perceived as having a strong emotional attachment to the object of their devotion, often responding to negative remarks about it as though they were personal attacks.
The term fangirl, while similar, often carries slightly different connotations - often applied to any enthusiastic female fan regardless of obsessive qualities or not, and is often used with overtones of "[[teenybopper]]". Depending on context, "fangirl" may be used or perceived as a derogatory label.


==Some common types of fanboys==
==Media==
===Video game fanboys===
Popular depictions of Fanboy stereotypes include the [[Comic Book Guy]] on ''[[The Simpsons]]'' and columnist [[Larry Groznic]] from the satirical newspaper ''[[The Onion]]''.  In the songs of the fannish [[parody]] [[musician]] [[Luke Ski]], many characters proudly consider themselves ''fanboys.''
After comic books, video games may be the most fruitful environment for fanboys. These include
*[[Nintendo]] Fanboys (sometimes called a "Ninty" or "Drone", short for "Nintendrone")
*[[Sony]] Fanboys (sometimes called "Tools", short for "PSTool" which is derived from Sony's current entertainment console, the [[PS2]])
*[[Xbox]] Fanboys (sometimes called "Xbots")
*[[Sega]] Fanboys


On the [[GameSpot]] System Wars forum, as well as SystemWars.com [http://www.systemwars.com/forums/], the different schools of video game fanboys are associated with various animals. Nintendo fanboys are called "[[sheep]]" because of their perceived willingness to be herded by Nintendo. Sony fanboys are called "[[Cattle|cows]]" because of the perception they pay extra, i.e. are "milked" by Sony for optional features for their equipment of choice. Microsoft fanboys are called "[[Lemming|lemmings]]" because of the perception they follow Microsoft blindly, even if it leads to their demise. Similarly, PC fanboys are called "[[hermits]]" because they are perceived as solitary, friendless gamers who play by themselves. The majority of Sega Fanboys are now Xbox Fanboys, due to [[Dreamcast]] "death" responsabilizing Sony with their PS2.
===Comic books===
 
====Quotes====
* ''"Microsoft money is infinite. Bill Gates money is infinite. Microsoft will never loose money with Xbox".''
* ''"Sony sucks. Sony lies. PS2 sucks. Poor hardware. Rootkit sucks."''
* ''"Xbox is a complete failure see the Japan sales were people ignores Microsoft."
* ''"Zelda is the best game of all times. Never a game will will surpass Zelda."''
* ''"Why buy a console if you can't play Metal Gear Solid?"''
 
===Anime fanboys===
Anime is another fertile breeding ground for fanboys. Some notable examples are:
*[[Dragon Ball]] Fanboys (get hung up on names, especially [[romanji]])
*[[Sailor Moon]] Fanboys (very strict about [[manga]] continuity)
*[[Inuyasha]] Fangirls (generally, they're all [[female]], but display all the traits of fanboys)
 
===Software fanboys===
* [[Linux]] Fanboys - Love open source and believe that anything coming from Microsoft is inferior.
* [[Mac]] Fanboys - Are devoted to the Mac design concept and think that anything coming from Apple is amazing.
* [[Microsoft]] Fanboys - Believe in Windows' ease-of-use.
 
==In Media==
===Comic Book===
*[[Sergio Aragonés]]' ''Fanboy''
*[[Sergio Aragonés]]' ''Fanboy''
*[[Galactic Storm]]'s ''Fanboy''


===Television===
===Television===
*[[The Simpsons]]' [[Comic Book Guy]]
*''[[The Simpsons]]''' [[Comic Book Guy]] refers to himself as a fanboy.
*''[[Freakazoid!|Freakazoid]]'''s [[freakazoid!#Other characters|Fan Boy]]


===Radio/Podcasts===
===Radio/podcasts===
*[[Fanboy Radio]] - [http://fanboyradio.com]
*[[Fanboy Radio]]
*Drooling FanBoy - [http://droolingfanboy.com]


===Webcomics===
===Movies===
*[[Fanboy Almanac (webcomic)]] - [http://fanboyalmanac.com Fanboy Almanac]
* [[Fanboys (2003 film)|''Fanboys'']], a 2003 New Zealand short film
*[http://www.ngeb.net/fanboys Fanboys web comic]
* [[Fanboys (2009 film)|''Fanboys'']], a 2009 American comedy film


==See also==
==See also==
* [[addiction]]
* [[Addiction]]
* [[otaku]]
* [[Brand loyalty]]
* [[anorak (slang)|anorak]]
* [[Cyberstalking]]
* [[Editor war]]
* [[Anorak (slang)|Anorak]]
* [[Astroturfing]]
* [[Otaku]]
* [[Obsession]]
 
==References==
{{reflist}}
 
==External links==
* [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fanboy Fanboy at Merriam-Webster]
* [http://www.netjak.com/review.php/1013 Dissecting the Fanboy Mind]  - A discussion of the fanboy behavior in regard to video games.
* [http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=6463 The trial of the Fanboy] - A criticism of the fanboy concept and overusage of the term.


[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Fandom]]
[[de:Fanboy]]

Latest revision as of 08:07, 7 June 2009

Fanboy is a term used to describe any individual who is devoted to a single subject in an emotional or fanatical manner, or to a single point of view within that subject, often to the point where it is considered an obsession.

History

According to the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, the earliest known use of the term "fanboy" in an English-language publication dates to 1919.[1] ? In comic book culture, a 1982 reference is to the cover of the "Official Underground and Newave Comix Price Guide". On this cover page are sketched overweight, overzealous comic book collectors wearing T-shirts that state "Fanboys of America," who are describing the extreme measures they would go to, including moving to San Francisco, to preserve their comics.

Also published in 1982, a comic strip appeared in Jim Engel and Chuck Fiala's "Fandom Confidential" comic. In the strip, Jim and Chuck met comic artist/writer John Byrne and collapsed into "mindless paroxysms of adoration." The John Byrne character responded that they were "a couple of fanboys in bondage" (a play on words referring to a Monty Python sketch in which an Elizabethan era character reads what she claims to be a new Shakespeare work called "Gay Boys in Bondage"). [2] Another early use is in a smart-alec editorial reply by "Ambush Bug" to a letter in his comic in 1985.

By 1990 the term was being used in popular music and science fiction circles[3]Template:Failed verification, and as electronic entertainment gained popularity, the term became increasingly applied to computers and video game consoles - with people often developing an obsessive loyalty towards one platform or brand.

Current subjects of such obsessive loyalty include areas of: TV shows; movies; music; anime; comic books; cars; furries; video game consoles, video games and MMORPGs; and computer operating systems, hardware and software. [4] "Fanboy" was added to the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary in 2008.[5]

One of the original and most famous fanboy websites is Ain't It Cool News.

Fangirl

The term fangirl, while similar, often carries slightly different connotations - often applied to any enthusiastic female fan regardless of obsessive qualities or not, and is often used with overtones of "teenybopper". Depending on context, "fangirl" may be used or perceived as a derogatory label.

Media

Popular depictions of Fanboy stereotypes include the Comic Book Guy on The Simpsons and columnist Larry Groznic from the satirical newspaper The Onion. In the songs of the fannish parody musician Luke Ski, many characters proudly consider themselves fanboys.

Comic books

Television

Radio/podcasts

Movies

  • Fanboys, a 2003 New Zealand short film
  • Fanboys, a 2009 American comedy film

See also

References

  1. ↑ fanboy. (2008). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved July 7, 2008.
  2. ↑ Byrne Robotics: FAQ
  3. ↑ USENET use before 1990
  4. ↑ "Who's Nuttier, Apple Fanatics or Ron Paul Enthusiasts?", Wired Magazine
  5. ↑ New words in the Merriam-Webster dictionary Die Welt online, 7 July 2008
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