Why would a person who hates Star Trek call himself a Trekkie? Is there some other meaning?
Incidentally, although the usage is said to have originated in the late '60s, I first recall it from a television promo in the mid-'70s. Revulsion amongst fans was swift and immediate, as many found the “-ie” ending to be infantilizing and dismissive, suggesting “Trekker” instead. This is the origin of the “Trekker is preferred” meme; obviously, the sentiment was neither universal nor especially long-lasting.
I’m horrified to think there was ever a sizable Raider fan base in San Diego. I haven’t lived there for a long time, but Al Davis was the Antichrist when I was growing up, and every player on the team was evil incarnate.
We are, indeed.
Back in the day, the term referred only to those folks born and raised in Key West. There is (or was) an entire esoteric culture surrounding the natives: all boys and many girls had a Conch-name used only by their peer group; and a few odd traditions not shared with outsiders. I haven’t been there in 20 years, but I understand that “Conch” has broadened to include non-natives and has lost it’s exclusivity.
A cat can have kittens in the oven, but that don’t make 'em biscuits. You have my word that I shall never refer to anyone that is not born/bred in the Keys as a Conch. No matter how many try to come down and change it. I’ve lived in Florida since I was 3 years old and when asked if I’m a Floridian, I say no.
And neither are all you damned yankees that have lived here for 3 years.
</pet peeve rant off>
News to me and I have been a huge fan of the Professor’s works since 1976. I have never heard that phrase used before, it sounds quite dumb. There was a society of Middle-Earth fans, but I can no longer recall its name.
I was extremely amused a few years ago to discover that fans of Michael Platley (remember him?) are called Flatheads.
Clay Aiken fans - a fairly similet set of people, I expect - are of course called Claymates.
The Ottawa Senators really blew this challenge, though. I’m a huge Senators fan, but I was surprised and disappointed when I discovered that the official Sens fan club is called the “Sens Army.” Aside from being boring and unoriginal, the correct term, which would have been awesome, is rather obvious when you consider the team’s logo is a Roman soldier:
When I say I hate Star Trek, I am referring to the series that aired between '67 and '69, not the franchise itself. I enjoy the majority of the movies and most of its spin-offs but am not a fan of the original series at all.
