5 Common Fandom Terms and What They Mean | The Odyssey Online
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5 Common Fandom Terms and What They Mean

OTP? AU? Shipping? The online fandom can be a confusing place filled with confusing terms, but here's some clarification.

Alexandria Gartman
Oct 11, 2016
Southern Arkansas
538
5 Common Fandom Terms and What They Mean

AU? OTP? Shipping? To those who don't frequent the online world of fandoms, these terms can seem like gibberish. But have no fear! I, fan-girl extraordinaire, am here to clarify!

1. Fandom

Fandom is the community around a certain person, movie, book, comic, etc.

Example: The Harry Potter fandom will never die.

2. Shipping

Shipping is a shortened form of relationship; it is used to declare your support for a particular romantic/sexual/platonic relationship.

Example: I totally ship Harry and Ginny!

3. OTP

OTP stands for one true pairing; it usually goes along with the term shipping. Your OTP is the relationship that you love/admire/obsess over above all others.

Example: Harry and Draco are my OTP.

4. Smut

Smut is usually used when talking about fan-fiction (a story written about a fandom not written by the original author). Smut refers to sexual activity in part of or the entire story.

Example: The later chapters of that fan-fiction is pure smut.

5. AU

AU is a very popular term/idea among fan-fiction writers; meaning "alternate universe", it allows writers can take their ideas to any level they want. (Like it the picture above, the artist has mixed The Avengers and Harry Potter)

Example: Did you see the new AU about Harry Potter and Suicide Squad?

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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