# Sci-Fi vs. Science Fiction: Geek terminology preferences. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 31, 2002, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859 "2002-12-31T13:29:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859/21 "2002-12-31T18:53:18Z")
**Exapno** When did Forrest Ackerman die? The last I heard of him was in September when he was forced to sell off most of the contents of the Ackermansion to pay legal bills. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859/22 "2002-12-31T18:55:59Z")
There was a great discussion of this same topic (without the ignorance and snotty tone that **Slortar** is spewing) [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=66107&highlight=scifi) Fenris ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859/23 "2002-12-31T19:23:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Exapno Mapcase \* > \*\ ***slortar** , the problem with your argument is that from the day Forey coined sci-fi, it has been the professional writers in the field who have detested the term most. Are you really calling them elitists of a hobby? They’re not. They’re working professionals of a high caliber, and they have earned the right not to be demeaned. \*\* Wow, my first flame in a while. I feel honored. 🙂 First of all, I wasn’t referring to professional writers. I was talking about the “’‘true’ science fiction readers” referenced in the OP. The professional writers have earned the right to call their work whatever they want. They can call it scifi, SF, or even speculative fiction. It’s their field. If Harlan Ellison thinks that the term scifi doesn’t adequately describe the breadth of his art, he’s entitled. Honest. I’m simply saying that some people, particularly “fanboys,” spend more time nitpicking simply because they don’t want to seem too “mainstream.” Goths are particularly guilty of this, I’ve found. That’s all. Honest. Sorry if I sounded like I was trolling. Sheesh. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859/24 "2002-12-31T19:26:09Z")
Btw, I was being sarcastic. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859/25 "2002-12-31T19:40:51Z")
That’s okay, JT. 🙂 Just reread the thread and I realize I did come across as something of an ignorant asshole. Sorry, guys. Next time, I’ll try to clarify myself more instead of tossing out stinkers liking my first post. ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859/26 "2002-12-31T19:42:44Z")
“Liking” being an ancient and outmoded form of “like.” Sheesh, I can’t even apologize right. I’m a loser… ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859/27 "2002-12-31T19:45:15Z")
No, you just look liking a loser. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859/28 "2002-12-31T19:58:26Z")
JohnT, you know Star Wars is sci-fi. Stop ducking it ;). ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859/29 "2002-12-31T20:13:09Z")
Speaking of looking like a loser. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859/30 "2002-12-31T20:23:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by slortar \* > \*\*“Liking” being an ancient and outmoded form of “like.” > > Sheesh, I can’t even apologize right. I’m a loser… \*\* Not with saves like that “ancient and outmoded” bit. LOL! 🙂 Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859/31 "2002-12-31T21:15:12Z")
I enjoy science fiction books ranging from pulp to decent works of art. Most of my friends also enjoy science-fiction though most of us don’t go to conventions. What I’m getting at is that I’ve read a lot of science fiction books but I’m not heavily involved with the science fiction community. Wow, that was easier to say then all that crap I typed before. No wonder author’s have editors. Right, going right along. I don’t usually say sci-fi I say science fiction. If I did say sci-fi and someone insisted I used another term I would conclude that they were a pretentious tight-ass. Why let silly semantics get in the way of a good discussion over your favorite science fictions books, movies, or television shows? Marc ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859/32 "2002-12-31T23:11:06Z")
As that other thread that **Fenris** referenced had it, this argument has been going on for a long, long time. As usual neither side ever budges. But please note in that thread that those actually in the field stated pretty firmly that they almost never use “sci-fi,” so avoiding it is a matter of politeness if nothing else. **slortar** , apology accepted. Your statement seemed to reference the discussion of pros that immediately proceded it, so I jumped in to defend them. But there certainly can be annoying fans and elitists in every aspect of life. I blew it when I referred to Forey as “late.” He was very ill, had to move out of and sell off the Ackermansion contents, but he’s not dead yet that I’ve heard. I didn’t mean to kill him off. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859/33 "2002-12-31T23:47:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JohnT \* > **Sci-Fi (at least until the introduction of the Sci-Fi Channel) was considered to be a perjoritive phrase directed at pulp works of science fiction…stories which focused more on ray guns and space ships than on their effects upon the human condition.** The impact of ray guns on a human’s condition should be pretty obvious. ZAP, you’re dead! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859/34 "2003-01-01T00:44:37Z")
I stand corrected. I was talking to my friend about other things this evening, and I brought up the subject of the term, “Sci Fi”. It turns out his response was “I despise it.” Oh well. That’s not even the first time today I’ve been wrong. CJ ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859/35 "2003-01-01T01:39:10Z")
I don’t really care one way or the other, but I try to use “sf” because it makes me sound like more of an insider. Except for one particular mailing list I used to frequent, where I’d go out of my way to use “sci-fi” specifically because it bothered fellow list-member Mike Resnick, whom I found (at least through the electronic medium) to be a total prat. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859/36 "2003-01-01T02:45:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Achernar \* > \*\*Okay, but the first I in “fidelity” is not long either. It should be “hie fih”. \*\* Hi-fi and Sci-fi are pronounced the way they are BECAUSE IT RHYMES!!! Can we all agree to that? Please? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tomcat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Tomcat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tomcat)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859/37 "2003-01-01T13:08:20Z")
I think **slortar** hit the nail on the head with _the way it comes across_. Or what **Legomancer** said about being sad and pedantic. It is hard to distinguish between someone getting bothered by sci-fi and someone going on about womyn being the preferred spelling, unless you are an uneducated clod (or male). It harkens to the days of my liberal arts college PC arguments where free thought was shot dead in favor of shoddy sensitivity and acquiescence. You must use the secret handshake or your arguments are invalid. Your feeling of ‘sci-fi’ being ‘generally dismissive’ causes you to dismiss my statements on the subject at hand…my, how convenient. So which dismissiveness wins out? The assumed or the direct? Some have suggested to use SF, but please explain to me how I should pronounce that. Is that a long or short ‘Sfff’? I live in the Czech Republic, I’m tired of using words that have no vowels! 😉 Strc prst skrz krk! (Stick your finger through your neck!) -Tcat ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859/38 "2003-01-01T18:24:12Z")
Ess Eff. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859/39 "2003-01-02T01:31:06Z")
I do believe **Daniel Withrow** nailed it early on; at least I agree very much with what he said. [Old High Fennish] Anyone who would say “sci fi” is a 'Dane! [/Old High Fennish] Heinlein either coined or was a very early user of Speculative Fiction as an alternative term; in his usage, it covered a larger territory than hard science fiction, including the sort of fantasy he and Randall Garrett wrote, the alternate-world sort of story that is best exemplified today by Turtledove, and even explorations of non-historical settings such as Jean Auel’s books – anything which is neither contemporary-scene nor historical fiction, in essence. ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859/40 "2003-01-02T03:23:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Achernar \* > \*\*It’s always bugged me that the term is pronounced “Sie fie”. It should be pronounced “Sie fih”. \*\* SoHo must drive you crazy then. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sci-fi-vs-science-fiction-geek-terminology-preferences/145859.md?page=3)