rich brown's definitions

gafia

Acronym standing for Getting Away From It All, used in science fiction fandom and coined in 1940 by Dick Wilson. When it was first coined, it meant a fan who was getting away from mundane persuits to engage in fan activities, but in a very short period it flip-flopped in meaning and was thereafter used to mean leaving fan activities behind to pursue real-world endeavors. See also: "gafiate".

I was gafia while attending college.

by rich brown August 8, 2004

apa

Acronym for amateur press association. In sf fandom, it is a bulletin board-like system conducted through snail mail that produces actual artifacts in the form of apazines. For each edition (called a "mailing" or "distribution"), members contribute preprinted personal informal fanzines (apazines), many of which include or consist mostly or entirely of comments on the contributions published in the previous mailing or distribution. The contributions go to an Official Collator (OC) or Official Editor (OE), who makes up mailings/distributions consisting of one copy of each zine and gives or mails them out to each of the members. To remain a member, generally one must meet minimum activity minac requirements, usually defined as a certain number of pages of original material within a given timeframe, plus (in most instances) pay dues to defray the costs of bulk postage for the mailings/distributions that are not handed out and the publication of an Official Organ (OO) which accompanies them.

"He started a new apa to discuss politics."

by rich brown August 11, 2004

bydcomz

An sf fan apa term, the letter "M" being underlined, being an acronym for "But You Didn't Comment On My Zine! (so I'm not going to comment on yours)". The parenthetical comment is implied.

"You published some interesting comments -- BYDCOMZ!"

by rich brown August 11, 2004

croggled

Surprised/dazed/brought up short.

"I was croggled when you said you suggested using corn cobs inin lieu of toilet paper."

by rich brown August 11, 2004

ezine

Electronic fanzine; a "publication" whose primary medium is electronic, generally presented over the Internet.

John hopes to publish an ezine soon.

by rich brown August 11, 2004

deadwood

In science fiction fandom, someone who joins an amateur press associaton, pays dues but does not contribute and thus receives a full year’s mailings without providing input or feedback. Alternatively, someone who remains a member of an apa by paying dues and meeting only the absolute minimum activity requirements, usually badly and at the last minute.

"Jim is deadwood in FAPA."

by rich brown August 11, 2004

crifanac

In science fiction fandom, mean CRItical FAN ACtivity. Some aspect of an activity in sf fandom deemed more important than others, i.e., meeting minimum activity requirements in an amateur press association at the last possible minute. Coined in the late 1940s by Charles Burbee and usually (but not always) used with satirical intent.

He didn't stop to eat; he was involved in crifanac.

by rich brown August 11, 2004