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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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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.

1. Fandom

2. Shipping

3. OTP

4. Smut

5. AU

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AKA, Christmas overload.

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1. Watch an R-rated Scary Movie in a Movie Theater

2. Buy a Lottery Ticket

3. Vote in an Election

4. Participate in a Run (or a Walk, Realistically) for Charity

5. Go on a Road Trip

6. Start a Savings Account

7. Get a Credit Card

8. Sign up for Spotify Premium

9. Go to a Club

10. Start a Meditation Routine

11. Go to a Yoga Class

12. Treat Myself to a Dinner for One

13. Volunteer for a Charity

14. Participate in a Research Study

15. Bake Something (That Ends Up Being Edible)

16. Go Skydiving

17. Be Called for Jury Duty

18. Figure Out What I Want to Do With my Life

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1."But what would happen if we all tried to be like Santa and learned to give as only he can give: of ourselves, our talents, our love and our hearts? Maybe we could all learn Santa's beautiful lesson and maybe there would finally be peace on Earth and good will toward men."

"Sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see."

"If you won't use your heart, who cares if it gets broken? If you just keep it to yourself, maybe it'll be like my rollerblades. When you do decide to try it, it won't be any good. You should take a chance. Got nothing to lose."

"Remember, no man is a failure who has friends."

"Life is made up of meetings and partings. That is the way of it."

"If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find a that love actually is all around."

"Sometimes things look good on paper, but lose their luster when you see how it affects real folks. I guess a healthy bottom line doesn't mean much if to get it, you have to hurt the ones you depend on."

"'Maybe Christmas,' he thought, 'doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.'"

"Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to."

"There's room for everyone on the nice list."

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

1. Why are towels considered dirty when you get out of the shower clean?

2. Who closes the bus door once the bus driver gets off?

3. Why is there a "d" in "fridge" but not in "refrigerator"?

4. If you drop soap on the floor is the floor clean or the soap dirty?

5. Is the "S" or the "C" silent in the word "scent"?

6. Does expecting the unexpected make the unexpected the expected?

7. Would Lightning McQueen buy car insurance or life insurance?

8. Who put the alphabet in alphabetical order?

9. What color are mirrors?

10. If 2 mind readers read each other's minds whose mind are they really reading?

11. Is there a synonym for "synonym"?

12. If your shirt isn't tucked into your pants, are your pants tucked into your shirt?

13. Why is it called "quick sand" if you sink slowly in it?

14. If I try to fail, but succeed, which one did I do?

15. If Cinderella's shoe fit perfectly, why did it fall off?

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