In this thread “Warehouse 13: Any other Clartie shippers out there?”, the OP uses the word “shipper” in a new context for me.
What does it mean? Where does it come from? Why that word? WTF? Essay answers*, please.
*Last time I asked a question, I wanted an elaborate explanation, not a simple one off comment that restated the words of the question. Somebody complained that I didn’t ask for explanation, I asked “What does ___ mean?” So, this is an explicit request for an essay answer, long form, lots of explanation, not a one line statement that “Shipper means someone who ships.”
It means someone who wants the two main characters of the series to hook up. I believe it’s short for “relationshipper”, i.e. someone who wants said characters to be in a relationship. I first encountered it in relation to The X-Files, but it’s possible it predates that.
I hope this is a long enough answer for you — there’s not much more to it than that unless the etymology or first usage are up for debate.
Some 'shippers also write fan fiction in which their preferred character pairing occurs, but that’s not a requirement to be labeled with that term. Just adding that as you’ll typically see the word used in conjunction with fan fiction.
On a CSI message board I used to frequent, the predominant “ship” was Sara/Grissom. So the fans on the board were rooting heavily for a relationship between the Sara and Grissom characters on the show. There had already been some backstory and sexual tension - seems to be how a lot of “ships” start - the writers hint at the possibility or actors have great chemistry then then fans get excited if they support the pairing. Many of the fans (shippers) wrote fanfiction depicting Sara and Grissom in a relationship. Also a lot of times these ships are given cutesy names. The Grissom/Sara one is commonly called “GSR” which means “Grissom Sara Relationship” but it’s also cutesy because on the show GSR is often said because it stands for gun shot residue. On the message board the shippers would analyze episodes for evidence the writers were moving towards GSR. And unlike many ships, this one actually happened, but the fandom is still there because CSI is still on and Sara recently came back without Grissom, so there is plenty more to talk and write about.
ANd boy shipper wars can be brutal. I remember before the last two Harry Potter books came out, online communities had some rather fierce debates over whether it should be Harry-Harmione, Harry-Ginny or Ron-Hermione etc. One of the reasons I think Rowling was pretty firm on the issue in the last two books.
Can “shippers” apply to people who like a pairing of characters supported/abetted by the actual canon? E.g. did the, uh, GSR folks stop being “shippers” once the relationship between Sara and Grissom became explicit and actual on the show?
I’m positive. As TWDuke said the opposite of slash is het. Google “slash archive” and you won’t find a fandom that uses the term to mean stories about straight pairings.
It can also mean a fan who cares more about the romantic relationships the main characters have with each other rather than the over all story or plot points. I can sort of plead guilty to this as well, I got very upset when there were problems with Xena/Gabby or Willow/Tara.
The Buffy ‘Shipper Wars were bloody and brutal. Made the Thirty Years’ War look like a kiddy picnic, they did. In the end, the only thing that was settled was that the Rileytarians were heretics, and they were all burned at the stake.
Yep. Since the show is still going on there is still stuff to talk about so the fandom is still there. GSR fans had to wait like 7 years plus for some real proof. The GSR board I read has died down a lot but the characters of the ship both left the show :). But it is at least temporarily revitalized because Sara showed back up for a few episodes so shippers are getting post-GSR marriage info. The shippers I see in this fandom just REALLY love the characters. I am sure fanfic will persist for years. And some I’ve read is phenominal.