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'''Fanboy''' (sometimes spelled '''fanboi''') is a term used to describe an 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''' (sometimes spelled '''fanboi''') is a term used to describe an 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. |
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The term is most commonly associated with adolescent and teenage males but can be applicable to any age or sex, and is mostly applied by others as a derogatory label. |
The term is most commonly associated with adolescent and teenage males but can be applicable to any age or sex, and is mostly applied by others as a derogatory label. |
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Revision as of 22:43, 3 August 2008
Fanboy (sometimes spelled fanboi) is a term used to describe an 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.
The term is most commonly associated with adolescent and teenage males but can be applicable to any age or sex, and is mostly applied by others as a derogatory label.
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], 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; video game consoles, video games and MMORPGs; and computer operating systems, hardware and software—and more recently politics. [4] [5]
"Fanboy" was added to the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary in 2008.[6]
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
- 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]
Movies
- Fanboys (2003 film), a New Zealand short film
- Fanboys (2008 film), an American comedy film
See also
References
- ^ fanboy. (2008). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved July 7, 2008.
- ^ Byrne Robotics: FAQ
- ^ USENET use before 1990
- ^ "Who's Nuttier, Apple Fanatics or Ron Paul Enthusiasts?", Wired Magazine
- ^ "The Fanboy Culture", Mark Cuban, blogpost
- ^ 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.