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'''Fanboy''' 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. Fanboys  are also typically aggressive and hateful towards the opposing brand or competition of their obsession regardless of its merits or achievements.
'''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.


== Background ==
==History==
Fanboys are attributed with a sycophantic devotion to the creators and principles behind a work with which they are currently enthralled. Fanboys are noted for a very emotional attachment to their chosen subject, often taking negative remarks about it as a personal attack. They will readily engage in debates, but will fall back on emotional responses when challenged on facts. For example, a fanboy may go out of his way to point out negative and often untrue statements about their obsession's rivals. Fanboys are often hostile towards critical review of their chosen subject.  
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.


As electronic entertainment gained popularity, the term became increasingly applied to [[video game]] 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. This outgoing stance is often felt to be abrasive by those not involved in the culture as deeply.
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.


More recently, especially in the [[video game industry]], fans of a particular video game console manufacturer have begun exhibiting slavish devotion to their brand of choice. An example would be a "Microsoft Fanboy", one who holds devotion to the company Microsoft. In the video game industry, fanboy dubbing can also occur in video game titles, such as Halo. Another example would be a "Sony Fanboy," one who holds devotion to the company Sony, and only likes such games as "Metal Gear Solid."
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.  


A Prime example of the Microsoft fanboy is Sanas_Thirtu of Gfaqs, who believes Halo is the greatest game ever and hates the PS3.
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>


==History of fanboys and the term==
One of the original and most famous fanboy websites is [[Ain't It Cool News]].  
The term "fanboy" is most commonly associated with adolescent and teen males but can be applicable to any age or sex. it is often used in a derogatory manner by other, less obsessed fans. An example of an individual who fits this criteria and description would be [[sanas_thiritu]] (creator of the giant metal camel topic of the Halo 3 board, as well as many other worthwhile mentions, including immortal Forerunner Dragons and Glass armor. And don't forget that NOTHING in the future has wires exposed. He knows.)
==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.
 
The term originated in [[comic book]] circles to describe someone immersed in the fictional worlds of comics and the culture of comics fandom. Common subjects of reverence by fanboys are [[TV show]]s, [[film|movie]]s, [[music]], [[anime]], [[comic book]]s, [[Star Trek]] ("[[Trekkies]]"), [[Star Wars]], [[car]]s, [[video game console]]s, [[video games]], [[operating system]]s, [[MMORPG]]s, [[Computer Hardware|hardware]] and [[software]] companies.
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.''
 
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" (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 Sanas". [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]].
 
==Subjects of obsession==
Some current examples of brands and products which have fanboy supporters:
*The competing gaming systems [[Playstation 3]], [[Wii]], [[Xbox 360]] and [[PC]].
*The operating systems [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Mac OS X]] and [[Linux]].
*The internet web browsers [[Mozilla Firefox|Firefox]], [[Internet Explorer]] and [[Opera (internet suite)|Opera]].
*The various technology companies: [[Google]], [[Sony]], [[Apple Computer|Apple]], [[Microsoft]], [[Nintendo]].
*The computer microprocessor companies [[Advanced Micro Devices|AMD]] and [[Intel Corporation|Intel]].
*The competing [[DVD]] successor formats [[Blu-ray Disc|Blu-ray]] and [[HD DVD]].
*The competing handheld video game consoles the [[Nintendo DS]] and the [[PlayStation Portable]].
*The various [[MP3]] players, notably the [[iPod]] and the [[Zune]].


==Media==
==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.''


===People===
===Comic books===
*[[sanas_thiritu]]' ''Fanboy''
 
===Comic Book===
*[[Sergio Aragonés]]' ''Fanboy''
*[[Sergio Aragonés]]' ''Fanboy''
*[[Galactic Storm]]       ''Fanboy''
*[[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]]
*''[[King of the Hill]]'''s [[Hank Hill]] is a fanboy of [[propane]].


===Radio/Podcasts===
===Radio/podcasts===
*[[Fanboy Radio]] - [http://fanboyradio.com]
*[[Fanboy Radio]]
*[[Fanboy TV]] - [http://www.fanboy.tv]
*Drooling FanBoy - [http://droolingfanboy.com]
*ifanboy - [http://www.ifanboy.com]
*[[The Fanboy Smackdown Podcast]] - [http://www.fanboysmackdown.com]
*[[The Opie and Anthony Show]] - [http://www.opieandanthony.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 F.O.G.Club web comic]
*[http://www.fanboysonline.com Fanboys!! Beyond Geekdom!!! (webcomic)]
*[http://www.fanboys-online.com Fanboys-Online]
*[http://www.megatokyo.com M3g4Toky0]


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Addiction]]
* [[Addiction]]
* [[Brand loyalty]]
* [[Cyberstalking]]
* [[Cyberstalking]]
* [[Editor war]]
* [[Editor war]]
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* [[Astroturfing]]
* [[Astroturfing]]
* [[Otaku]]
* [[Otaku]]
* [[Obsession]]


== External links ==
==References==
* [http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fanboy Urban dictionary:  fanboy]  
{{reflist}}
* [http://www.netjak.com/review.php/1013 Dissecting the Fanboy Mind]  - A discussion of the fanboy behavior in regards to video games.
 
==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.
* [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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