New to fan communities? This glossary covers the most common terms and abbreviations you'll encounter in online fandoms. From headcanon and shipping to OCs and AUs, learn the language of fan culture.
A community of fans who share enthusiasm for a particular media franchise, creator, or topic. Fandoms form around movies, TV shows, books, games, musicians, and more. Members engage through discussions, creating content, attending events, and building lasting friendships around shared interests.
Start your own fan community →The official, established facts and events within a fictional universe as created by the original author or studio. If something is canon, it's officially part of the story. Fans often discuss and debate what counts as canon, especially across different adaptations or media.
A personal interpretation or belief about a fictional universe that isn't officially confirmed. Headcanons fill in gaps left by official content - backstories, motivations, relationships, or events that fans imagine to enrich their experience. They're individual perspectives rather than community consensus.
Share theories in your community →Stories written by fans using characters, settings, or concepts from existing media. Fanfiction ranges from short stories to novel-length works and explores scenarios the original creators didn't cover. It's one of the most popular forms of fan creative expression.
Visual artwork created by fans depicting characters, scenes, or concepts from their favorite media. Fan art includes illustrations, digital art, paintings, sculptures, and more. Many fan communities have dedicated galleries to showcase member creations.
A character created by a fan rather than the official creators. OCs might exist within an established fictional universe or be entirely original. Fans develop detailed profiles, backstories, and artwork for their original characters.
A creative scenario where characters exist in different circumstances than the original story. Common AUs include modern settings for historical characters, high school or coffee shop scenarios, or role reversals. AUs let fans explore 'what if' scenarios.
Supporting or advocating for a romantic relationship between characters, whether or not it's canon. 'Ship' comes from 'relationship.' Fans who support a particular pairing may create fan art, fanfiction, or discussions about their preferred ship.
A fan's favorite romantic pairing in a fandom - the relationship they support most strongly. While fans may enjoy multiple ships, their OTP is typically the one they feel most passionate about and create the most content for.
Creative content that combines characters or elements from two or more different fandoms. Crossovers imagine what would happen if characters from different universes met or existed in the same world.
Information that reveals important plot points, twists, or developments before someone has experienced them firsthand. Fan communities typically have spoiler policies requiring tags or warnings to protect members who haven't caught up with the latest content.
A break or pause in content releases for a show, game, book series, or other media. During hiatuses, fan communities often become more active with speculation, fan content creation, and rewatches or rereads.
In-depth analytical discussions about a fictional work, examining themes, character development, narrative choices, and deeper meanings. Meta posts go beyond surface-level discussion to explore the 'why' behind creative decisions.
The practice of dressing up as a character from media, often with elaborate costumes and props. Cosplayers attend conventions, participate in contests, and share their work online. It combines crafting skills with performance.
A gathering of fans, often featuring panels, merchandise, cosplay, celebrity guests, and community meetups. Conventions range from small local events to massive international gatherings and are key social events for fandoms.
Official or fan-made products related to a fandom, including clothing, figures, posters, accessories, and collectibles. Collecting merch is a common way fans express their enthusiasm and support their favorite creators.
An extremely devoted fan of a particular person, group, or media. Originally from the Eminem song, 'stan' has evolved to describe passionate fandom. Can be used positively (dedicated supporter) or negatively (overly obsessive).
The unwritten rules and social norms within fan communities. This includes respecting spoiler policies, crediting artists, not harassing creators or other fans, and being welcoming to newcomers. Good etiquette helps communities thrive.
Someone who reads or browses community content without actively posting or commenting. Lurking is completely normal - many fans prefer to observe before participating, or simply enjoy consuming content without creating.
Content showing the creation process, bloopers, interviews, or other material from outside the finished product. Fans often seek out BTS content to learn more about how their favorite media was made.
Now that you know the lingo, create your own fan community on FanForger. All the tools you need to bring fans together and celebrate what you love.