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{{Otheruses3|Fanboys}}
'''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 an individual (usually male, though the feminine version ''[[fangirl]]'' may be used for females) who is utterly devoted to a single fannish subject, or to a single point of view within that subject, often to the point where it is considered an [[obsession]]. ''Fanboys'' remain loyal to their particular obsession, disregarding any factors that differ from their point of view. They are also typically hateful to the opposing brand or competition of their obsession regardless of its merits or achievements.
==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 from a crackhead and in [[comic book]] circles, to describe someone who immersed himself in the fictional worlds of comics and the culture of comics fandom.  The term is often used in a derogatory manner by other less obsessed fans.  In the songs of the fannish [[parody]] [[musician]] [[Luke Ski]], many characters proudly consider themselves ''fanboys''.  The term is most ha ha  ha ha ha beet the t
and teen males but can be applicable to any age or sex.  Common subjects of reverence by fanboys are [[TV show]]s, [[film|movie]]s, [[music]], [[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, young man who may be perceived as a loud mouthed [[pseudo-intellectual]].  A popular depiction of this stereotype is the [[Comic Book Guy]] on ''[[The Simpsons]]''.
The earliest published uses of the word "fanboy" have been dated to 1982.  One 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," and 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" which was a play on words referring to a [[List_of_Monty_Python%27s_Flying_Circus_episodes#8._Archaeology_Today|Monty Python skit]] in which an Elizabethan era character reads what she claims to be "'Gayboys in Bondage' by William Shakespeare".[http://www.byrnerobotics.com/FAQ/listing.asp?ID=7&T1=Miscellaneous+Questions#154] Another early use is in a smart-alec editorial reply by "[[Ambush Bug]]" to a letter in his comic in [[1985]].


In talks among fans of the [[video game industry]], fanboys disproportionately praise one [[video game console]] manufacturer over its competitors. They often attempt to mitigate bad press or unpopular decisions by listing the company's achievements or turning the discussion towards popular decisions. Sometimes they go after the credibility or motivations of the purveyor of bad press. For example, a person reporting that 10% of the controllers produced by Company A are defective might be accused by fanboys as being a supporter of Company B who is simply trying to create [[fear, uncertainty, and doubt]] in Company A. Other topics of discussion are likely to involve long-winded rants about the failures of Company A's competitors, the acceptable defective rates of electronics, and even the meaning of the word "defective." Because of their actions, fanboys are often described as unrealistic, willfully ignorant, accusatory, defensive, and paranoid. One major hallmark of fanboys is to call other people fanboys in order to distract from meaningful conversation that is not going the way they would like it to.
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.  


==Subjects of obsession==
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]].
Some brands and products, which have fanboy supporters:
<ref>
*The [[graphics processing unit|graphics processing units]] produced by [[ATI Technologies|ATI]] and [[NVIDIA]].
[http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/11/whos-nuttier-ap.html "Who's Nuttier, Apple Fanatics or Ron Paul Enthusiasts?", Wired Magazine]
*The [[computer]] [[microprocessor]] companies [[Advanced Micro Devices|AMD]] and [[Intel Corporation|Intel]].
</ref>
*The various [[Automobile]] manufacturers, such as [[General Motors]] and [[Ford]].
"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>
*The [[cola]] products [[Coca-Cola|Coke]] and [[Pepsi]].
 
*The competing video game consoles [[Xbox 360]] (Xbots), [[Wii]] (Ntards) and [[Playstation 3]] (Sonybitches)
One of the original and most famous fanboy websites is [[Ain't It Cool News]].  
*The competing handheld video game consoles the [[Nintendo DS]]  and the [[PlayStation Portable]].
==Fangirl==
*The competing [[DVD]] successor formats [[Blu-ray Disc|Blu-ray]] and [[HD DVD]].
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.
*The competing computer hardware and software produced by [[Apple Computer|Apple]], [[Microsoft]], and [[Linux|GNU/Linux]]. See [[Operating system advocacy]].
*The [[science-fiction]] movie series [[Star Wars]] and [[Star Trek]].
*The comic book brands [[DC Comics]] and [[Marvel Comics]].
*The MP3 players [[iPod]] and [[Zune]]
*The Internet browsers [[Internet Explorer]], [[Mozilla Firefox|Firefox]] and [[Opera (Internet suite)|Opera]].


==Media==
==Media==
===Comic Book===
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===
*[[Sergio Aragonés]]' ''Fanboy''
*[[Sergio Aragonés]]' ''Fanboy''
*Doug Holverson's "Fanboy" (anthropomorphized rotary fan obsessed with comics, who uses his electrical plug for a hand).  Dates from the prolific minicomic wave of the 1980s.
*[[Galactic Storm]]'s ''Fanboy''


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


===Radio/Podcasts===
===Radio/podcasts===
*[[Fanboy Radio]] - [http://fanboyradio.com]
*[[Fanboy Radio]]
*Drooling FanBoy - [http://droolingfanboy.com]
*ifanboy - [http://www.ifanboy.com]
*[[The Fanboy Smackdown Podcast]] - [http://www.fanboysmackdown.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
*[http://www.fogclub.net Fanboy Otaku Gamers Club web comic]
*[http://www.fanboysonline.com Fanboys!! Beyond Geekdom!!! (webcomic)]
*[http://www.fanboys-online.com Fanboys-Online]


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Addiction]]
* [[Addiction]]
* [[Computer zealotry]]
* [[Brand loyalty]]
* [[Cyberstalking]]
* [[Editor war]]
* [[Editor war]]
* [[Anorak (slang)|Anorak]]
* [[Anorak (slang)|Anorak]]
* [[Astroturfing]]
* [[Astroturfing]]
* [[Otaku]]
* [[Otaku]]
* [[Obsession]]
==References==
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
==External links==
* [http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fanboy Urban dictionary:  fanboy]  
* [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 regards to video games.
* [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]]
[[Category:Anime and manga terminology]]
[[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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