disty

In science fiction fandom, an issue or mailing of an amateur press association (apa); short for "distribution". Also: disty-wisty-pooums, umpkin, chicken salad sandwich. Started out being used by local apas associated with local clubs, where more copies were handed out to people in attendance than were actually mailed.

After it was collated, Ben was given a copy of the disty.

by rich brown August 12, 2004

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 08, 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

5 by

Short for "5 by 5" meaning "loud and clear." Also used to mean "I'm okay" per Faith (Eliza Dusku), the dark slayer on Buffy: The Vampire Slayer.

"I hear you five-by-five."

"I'm five-by-five with that."

by rich brown August 13, 2004

fanzine

Combination of fan and zine. Coined in 1940 by Maryland sf fan L. Russell Chauvenet to apply to the amateur publications put out by sf fans (as opposed to "prozines," the professional magazines). (Previously they had been called "fan magazines" but the new term was promptly adopted since "fan magazines" also meant professional magazines put out at the time about movie stars.) The term has since been coopted by any number of interest areas where amateur publications are involved, including but not limited to rock.

I used a mimeograph to publish my fanzine.

by rich brown August 08, 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 12, 2004

ajay

Short for amateur journalism (or "A.J."); term used by hobby printers to describe their turn-of-the-last-century hobby. Formed the first amateur press associations (or "apas" for short) -- the National, United and American, or NAPA, UAPA and AAPA for which they published "papers."

As a publishing member of NAPA, he was involved in ajay.

by rich brown August 08, 2004