Archive:Fanboy: Difference between revisions
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As electronic entertainment gained popularity, the term became increasingly applied to [[video games]] with people often developing an obsessive loyalty towards one console platform. This may be due in part to the price of the consoles limiting many to a choice of one console, with the obsession possibly stemming from defense of that decision. The term is also applied increasingly to enthusiasts of computer platforms such as [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Linux]] and [[Mac OS X]], although the term is also applied to fans of certain [[television]] programs. 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. 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. The term is most commonly associated with adolescent and teen males but can be applicable to any age or sex. | As electronic entertainment gained popularity, the term became increasingly applied to [[video games]] with people often developing an obsessive loyalty towards one console platform. This may be due in part to the price of the consoles limiting many to a choice of one console, with the obsession possibly stemming from defense of that decision. The term is also applied increasingly to enthusiasts of computer platforms such as [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Linux]] and [[Mac OS X]], although the term is also applied to fans of certain [[television]] programs. 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. 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. The term is most commonly associated with adolescent and teen males but can be applicable to any age or sex. | ||
The term fangirl, while similar, often carries slightly different connotations. The term fangirl is often applied to any enthusiastic female fan, regardless of obsessive qualities or not, and is often used with overtones of "[[teenybopper]]". Given the context, "fanboy" or "fangirl" may be used as a derogatory | The term fangirl, while similar, often carries slightly different connotations. The term fangirl is often applied to any enthusiastic female fan, regardless of obsessive qualities or not, and is often used with overtones of "[[teenybopper]]". Given the context, "fanboy" or "fangirl" may be used as a derogatory label. | ||
==History of fanboys and the term== | ==History of fanboys and the term== | ||
Revision as of 02:44, 23 July 2008
Fanboy (sometimes spelled fanboi) is a term used to describe an individual who is devoted to a single subject in a fanatical manner, 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.
Background
Stereotypical fanboys are attributed with a 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. They will readily engage in debates about their chosen subject.
As electronic entertainment gained popularity, the term became increasingly applied to video games with people often developing an obsessive loyalty towards one console platform. This may be due in part to the price of the consoles limiting many to a choice of one console, with the obsession possibly stemming from defense of that decision. The term is also applied increasingly to enthusiasts of computer platforms such as Windows, Linux and Mac OS X, although the term is also applied to fans of certain television programs. 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. 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. The term is most commonly associated with adolescent and teen males but can be applicable to any age or sex.
The term fangirl, while similar, often carries slightly different connotations. The term fangirl is often applied to any enthusiastic female fan, regardless of obsessive qualities or not, and is often used with overtones of "teenybopper". Given the context, "fanboy" or "fangirl" may be used as a derogatory label.
History of fanboys and the term
According to the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, the earliest known use of the term "fanboy" in an English-language publication dates to 1919.[1]
It is most commonly associated with adolescent and teen males[1] but can be applicable to any age or sex. Common subjects of reverence by fanboys are specific: TV shows; movies; music; anime; comic books; cars; video game consoles, video games and MMORPGs; and computer operating systems, hardware and software.
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-aleck editorial reply by "Ambush Bug" to a letter in his comic in 1985.
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.
"Fanboy" was added to the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary in 2008.[3]
Media
Comic Book
- Sergio Aragonés' Fanboy
- Galactic Storm's Fanboy
Television
- The Simpsons' Comic Book Guy refers to himself as a fanboy.
- Freakazoid's Fan Boy
Radio/Podcasts
- Fanboy Radio
- Fanboy Planet.com[1]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 fanboy. (2008). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved July 7, 2008
- ↑ Byrne Robotics: FAQ
- ↑ New words in the Merriam-Webster dictionary Die Welt online, 7 July 2008
External links
- A look at fanboys from the game industry perspective
- Fanboy at Merriam-Webster
- Dissecting the Fanboy Mind - A discussion of the fanboy behavior in regard to video games.
- The trial of the Fanboy - A criticism of the fanboy concept and overusage of the term.