Many of us describe ourselves as ‘fans’ of something, whether it be a book, movie, TV show, sports team, or YouTube channel. But what does it actually mean to be a fan, or a ‘true’ fan? Is there a minimum requirement? What are the origins of the term? How does one become a fan, and what are the advantages of being a fan?
Thankfully, the Zazzle team are fans of analysis, etymology enthusiasts, and devotees of deep dives. We think we’ve found an explanation as to what a fan is, and why you should become one of ours! Read on to find out more!
What Is a Fan?
Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines a fan as “an ardent admirer or enthusiast,” but the word is also a shortened form of the word ‘fanatic,’ meaning “marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion.” Fanatic, in turn, comes from the Latin word fanaticus, and the term was once used to describe individuals who had been inspired or captivated by a deity. Alternatively, the word may also derive from the word ‘fancy,’ according to the Phinsider.
Still, there’s more to being a fan than just the origin of the word. Fans are people who passionately support, admire, and celebrate a particular person, company, product, or brand. Specific ‘fandoms,’ or fan communities, even have their own nicknames: ‘Trekkies’ or ‘Trekkers’ are those obsessed with Star Trek, and Taylor Swift’s fan base consists of ‘Swifties.’ These self-assigned labels lend followers a sense of identity and community, and denote a positive, familiar relationship with the object or franchise in question.
Different Types of Fanatic
Definitions of the word ‘fan’ usually lead to discussions around the concept of the ‘true fan’: a dyed-in-the-wool advocate of the franchise. The Bleacher Report argues that “to be a true fan you need to be as passionate when your team is losing as to if [sic] your team is winning.” In other words – and when extended to music, books, and movies – a real fan will not allow their love of the artist, author, or director to be diminished by one bad album, novel, or movie.
Meanwhile, some have begun to declare themselves ‘stans’: the most fervent of admirers, who “cling to tiny details,” hoping for “subtle references or hints of new [media].” However, fan communities should be welcoming, inclusive places, without too much categorization or ‘gatekeeping.’ It’s possible to be a die-hard fan one year and maintain a casual curiosity the next, depending on your level of interest and other commitments. Fortunately, shows like The Big Bang Theory have helped to evolve the idea of ‘the fan,’ turning it from a nerdy and exclusive concept to one that has more mainstream appeal.
Benefits of Being in a Fandom
One of the main reasons people want to be part of a fandom is the ‘sense of belonging.’ Identifying with others who share a common interest allows people to become part of an “imagined collective”: a community which doesn’t necessarily need to have face-to-face relationships to exist, and which circumvents issues of race, gender, and class. With Twitch livestreams, comic conventions, cosplay, and crowdfunded projects, being a fan is almost a lifestyle, and it’s one that has never been easier to enjoy with others.
The Insight Association also cites escapism as another benefit of being a fan: it’s a way to switch off, relax, and be part of something fun and exciting. In fact, identifying with a sports team, for example, has been shown to “act as a barrier against depression and estrangement,” due to the hype and camaraderie it inspires. Furthermore, there are advantages to having fans, too. Creating ‘buzz’ around a product, and curating a network of people who engage with this product, can lead to significant publicity, profit, and even constructive feedback!
Being a Lifelong Fan
Many people are fans almost incidentally: they love an author’s works because their parents did, or they support a team because it represents their hometown. However, with the vast range of content available to us, the number of entry points to any particular fandom has increased exponentially. The Film School Rejects explain that, in the case of Star Wars, “[a] focus on expanded universes and franchises spanning multiple mediums [means that] movies aren’t the only entry point,” which, in turns, allows for a more diverse, well-rounded audience.
Thanks to the advent of the internet in the last two decades, it’s now much easier to locate, and communicate with, like-minded individuals. There are so many websites, online forums, and social media pages that now might even be the time to start organizing a post-pandemic meet-up! And when it comes to declaring your love for a particular topic, we at Zazzle should also be able to help. If you’re a university alumnus, we have officially licensed college gear that you can customize with your own personal motto. Meanwhile, whether you’re a Disney+ addict or the world’s biggest Rick and Morty buff, our Brands portal caters to fanboys and fangirls of all ages. Similarly, our ‘Great Gift Ideas for Major Fanboys and Fangirls’ article also showcases some of our favorite Zazzle merchandise.
If you’re a fan (and you’re surely a fan of something) – how do you celebrate and share your interest? Do you agree with our definitions above, and why do you like being a fan? Let us know in the comments below!
Eoin is a Content Specialist at Zazzle in Cork. He’s recently bought a house with his fiancée, and thus most of his time these days is spent trying to keep the walls from caving in and the wolves from the door. Still, he’s always open to book, game, and movie recommendations, so if you have some, let him know: he’ll add them to a very, very long list.
