Originally Posted By oc_dean Some of these acronyms are enough to drive me crazy. I'm going to guess OP means Original Poster. And no .. it's not sarcasm ... that would be all fine and dandy .. wouldn't? Just to say this discussion is just a joke. That would be fun ... but I'm witnessing that word "fanboi" being taken beyond being used colloquially, and is now crossing the line, meant to insult others.
Originally Posted By oc_dean >>but unless it's used specifically against someone I don't see the problem.<< You don't have to name specific LPers, as I've seen more "subtle" methods to round several up, and then - bingo - drop the fanboi line on them. I can give you the perfect example. Just go to the Lassetter topic in DL:General. Follow the conversation going from post 1 to post 9. Then post 10,like magic, list not one specific LPer. But, by simply following post 1-9, it's obviously who's being implied as fanbois. So .. as any seasoned LPer can figure out, we don't need to name names. If you follow a conversation closely enough, it's not difficult to see some poster who does not agree with a group of posts will refer to them as fanbois, knowing they cannot list names. Clever? No, it's all too easy to see through that kind of ploy.
Originally Posted By oc_dean Found this to be an interesting quote on a techie website discussion board, discussing Fanboy and Fanboi: "Exactly, part of the whole point of the i spelling of fanboy is to make it more demeaning and belittling. You are comparing a word that is a slur to a word that is not a slur but can be used as one."
Originally Posted By oc_dean Fan, Fanatic, Fanboy, Fanboi, Not To Mention Gender Shifts In The History Of English by Anne Curzan: <a href="http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/...-fanboy/" target="_blank">http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/...-fanboy/</a> >> Matthew Morrison talking on breakfast television this morning (BBC) emphasized the relationship between fan and fanatic, saying that Glee's fans were fanatical. Fan is generally thought to be derived from fanatic, though some prefer the idea that it derives from English aristos wagering on their "fancies" at a boxing match. From fan, through the sci-fi fan, it was a short step to the pejorative "fanboy" and thence to the pejorative and homophobic "fanboi". This lovely article and stream of comments starts by talking about the equally lovely phrase "jumping the shark" and meanders around many issues including the difference between and relative unpleasantness of fanboy and fanboi. << In that link are a series of sublinks. One of them: <a href="http://news.ycombinator.com/it...=1404034" target="_blank">http://news.ycombinator.com/it...=1404034</a> Gets into a rather lengthy discussion. I'll just cut to the chase .. on the parts that specifically discuss - Fanboy/Fanboi >>>>>>>>>>> 20 points by KirinDave 240 days ago | link So, Protip: The word “fanboi” is as ridiculous and juvenile as ”M$”, ”demorat”, “republiscams”, or any other goofy little pun moniker. I half expected the final paragraph to close with an “All Your Base” reference after seeing the word “fanboi”. I know people don't read Hank for the cleverly barbed and expertly crafted prose... but, really? Fanboi? ----- 13 points by mikeklaas 240 days ago | link shrug, I feel the same way about "Protip" ----- 1 point by KirinDave 240 days ago | link I feel the same way about saying physical gestures like "shrug". And also about "Wow. Just Wow." But I can master my distaste for those; they're not why I mentioned it. Who knows what the line is? Maybe it's more because using gay terms as pejoratives is a nasty habit and we should stamp it out rather than try and equivocate just because they're familiar. ----- 2 points by kscaldef 240 days ago | link I don't believe the gay community has a monopoly on the use of the misspelling "boi", if that's what you're trying to suggest. It's certainly not the context in which I first saw it commonly used. ----- 1 point by KirinDave 240 days ago | link I don't think you understand what fanboi originally meant. Go read the definition and think about it. "Mac Fanboi" was originally part of the "Macs are for fags" school of insults. ----- 1 point by kscaldef 240 days ago | link No, I guess I don't. Could you provide a link to the definition you have in mind or some discussion of the etymology of the term? 2 points by frou_dh 240 days ago | link This needs to be broadcast to the entire internet population. It's incredible how widespread (and instantly reached for) the term and its conventionally spelled sibling have become. ----- 3 points by WiseWeasel 240 days ago | link The difference is that there are (seldom) times when it's socially acceptable to use the word "fanboy", but it's never OK to say "fanboi". ----- 1 point by mturmon 240 days ago | link The fanboy phenomenon is real: people, usually guys, often younger, who idolize one brand of hardware, usually because it's what they own. It's just like: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/slidesh...s/0830.." target="_blank">http://www.nytimes.com/slidesh...s/0830..</a>. So, we might as well have a word for it. ----- 4 points by rictic 240 days ago | link True, but actually calling someone a fanboy is a very reliable way to end a productive conversation and debate (or prevent one from starting). It's an indication that you're not going to listen to anything the other person is going to say because they're so heavily biased. That's why I wish people wouldn't use the word. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Originally Posted By oc_dean If there's still any confusion to the definition of these newer words Fanboy and Fanboi .... I think the online Urban Dictionary has some rather colorful descriptions over the pejorative words: FANBOI <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fanboi" target="_blank">http://www.urbandictionary.com...m=fanboi</a> and..... FANBOI <a href="http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/fanboi" target="_blank">http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/fanboi</a> and..... FANBOY <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fanboy" target="_blank">http://www.urbandictionary.com...m=fanboy</a> FANBOY: <a href="http://askville.amazon.com/origin-word-fanboy-significant-make-real-english/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=11971613" target="_blank">http://askville.amazon.com/ori...11971613</a> FANBOY - <a href="http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/05/the-origins-a-brief-history-of-fanboy/" target="_blank">http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/...-fanboy/</a> Before today, perhaps many LPers did not understand the full intent of these words. And for those who doubt DL&Dug's post ... as I have been reading heavily on "boi" and "fanboi" .. all day today .. from one online article to the next, it's true what he says. One such online poster said it's a linguistics's coincidence. Maybe? But I've read enough today, that suggests otherwise.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Dude, you got ISSUES... it's just not worth all the energy you're spending on it.
Originally Posted By oc_dean Now after all that ... there's a part of me that agrees with some aspects of what Skinner, Roadtrip, Mawnk said. If someone wants to call you a "fanboi" and you're not. So what! I get it. What I'm driving at though .... Should we just let some posters with "trollish" tendencies to just callously throw little ugly terms out to a select group, because they don't agree with his/her mantra? I think not. And when I see it, if a moderator does not say or do something first, I will say something. Unless people fit the description of a fanboy or fanboi, I think you should tell them to not label you something you are not.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip To elaborate... I think almost no one who uses the term associates it with being gay or even sees it as entirely negative. It is just kind of shorthand for someone with strongly held views that are somewhat out of the norm. I don't necessarily see anything wrong with that. If anyone wants to call me a DVC Fanboi, feel free.
Originally Posted By oc_dean >>Dude, you got ISSUES... it's just not worth all the energy you're spending on it. << Oh ... just saw this. Trippy, relax. Me issues? This was my opportunity to give the most definitive Definition to two fairly new words. There can be no confusion, now, to those who only half understood it. It's derogatory, and an insult. And should be used cautiously. That's it. ADIOS!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I guess some of us don't really see it as derogatory or an insult. You do, so I will certainly never use it in reference to you. But I think many people see it as I do... shorthand for someone with strongly held views that are somewhat out of the norm. You found some threads on the net supporting your contention. I could find at least as many supporting mine. In the end, nothing is proved one way of the other. That is why I think it isn't worth all the energy. In the end, neither you nor I will 'prove' anything to anyone.
Originally Posted By oc_dean There's enough out there Trippy to suggest it's not such a nice way to describe people. Therefore, it should be taken into consideration. I can see how Fanboy can be a more tamer, more acceptable term to describe a hardcore fan. But FanBOI ? Why wasn't 'Fanboy' enough? Why the added - Fanboi? Who made it up? And why?? I could only find fragments on the web. And why has it spread like a wildfire across thousands of websites, and there isn't even a clear definition of it? Funny how we English Speaking Citizens in the world love to use words, and we don't even know their correct meaning!! Imagine that. Fanboy has been around as early as 1919. Perhaps there's more on Fanboi on the web, and it's origins. But the most I can ascertain, Fanboi is meant to describe a Fanboy in a more vile way.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Is "fanboy" more acceptable? To tell you the truth, I'm not even sure I've ever used the term "fanboi", though I have used "fanboy" in a way not directed at any individual. I'm an old-fart and don't always pick up on the latest trends real quickly... not even sure I was aware of fanboi until recently! LOL
Originally Posted By oc_dean And they've also been described as meaning the same thing. But how does the English language have two words that are said to have the exact same meaning? Fanboy is 90 years old. Fanboi is a new invention. And in the last 20 some years ... from Star Trek to Star Wars conventions, and other comic/science/fantasy franchises around .. that didn't exist quite like they do now ...... It seems Fanboy was not quite enough to perhaps describe some fans more fanatical than Fanboys.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I think you will miss most of the posters that use this term with this thread. Most of them never seem to comment in community, therefore my hypothesis is they do not frequent community.
Originally Posted By Longhorn12 I put on my robe and tinfoil hat >Why wasn't 'Fanboy' enough? Why the added - Fanboi?< Because words change >Who made it up? And why??< Probably someone on the internet. Because they can. >I could only find fragments on the web.< The web is always right! The world is ruled by Zionist Jews! >And why has it spread like a wildfire across thousands of websites, and there isn't even a clear definition of it?< It's the Internet. There is also not a definition of teh or awesomesauce, but those are used as well. Let me repeat. IT IS THE INTERNET. >Funny how we English Speaking Citizens in the world love to use words, and we don't even know their correct meaning!!< I use physics even though I don't understand all of it. >But the most I can ascertain, Fanboi is meant to describe a Fanboy in a more vile way.< I can say that gurl is meant to describe girl in a more vile way. That doesn't mean I should. I could call you a human and make it vile. It's the person more than the word. >But how does the English language have two words that are said to have the exact same meaning?< A lot of words in many languages mean the same thing. >Fanboy is 90 years old. Fanboi is a new invention.< If you really want to break it down... on the scale of things English if not Language is a relatively new invention. I use you instead of thou I hope not to offend you. >It seems Fanboy was not quite enough to perhaps describe some fans more fanatical than Fanboys.< Context is the key to everything. Fanboi does not necessarily assume the person is any more fanatical. Questions?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Longhorn - bravo. I understand the thrust of the conversation, though people can call me fanboi if they like, there are a lot of worse things out there to be called. But Longhorn, thanks for the laugh, bravo.
Originally Posted By Labuda "I can say that gurl is meant to describe girl in a more vile way." Seriously? I just find it annoying, and figured it was lolspeak, such as is found on a cute magnet at my desk that depicts a cat in a filing cabinet drawer: Iz in yur files peeing on yur reportz! I just look at gurl the same way I look at fanboi - youthspeak, I guess.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>If you really believe that "fanboi" is as derogatory as the "N" word and the "F" word, then that's your prerogative. Personally, I think you're being too overly sensitive and need some thicker skin.<<< Agreed. It's a joke, half the time. It doesn't connote something bad, rude, or derogatory in my mind. It's just a silly internet term. I'm not a fanboi of this thread... LOL. ;-)
