English

Noun

fake fan ‎(plural fake fans or fake fen)

1. (dated, fandom slang, sometimes pejorative) Alternative form of fakefan
   • 1939 September, Wollheim, Donald, “'New Fandom' Versus True Fandom”, in MSA Bulletin, number 1, page 4:

     The culprits responsible for these mags are the former fan and most unrelenting feudist of all times, William S Sykora; the juvenile and semi-illiterate James V Taurasi and the commercially minded fake fan, Sam Moskowitz.

   • 1959, Eney, Richard "Dick" Harris, Fancyclopedia II, Fake Fan:

     Phrase coined about 1940, applied to Jack Weidenbeck, who roomed with fans and enjoyed their company but shunned all responsibility in fan doings and institutions. Generally speaking, one who hangs around fans but takes no active part in fan affairs, and may not read fantasy. Fans are, after all, at least theoretically fantasy enthusiasts; fake fans are fandom enthusiasts. They don't read prozines. (Sometimes they don't even read fanzines.) They don't remember vast numbers of insignificant details about fantasy stories and their authors illustrators and publishers. They don't collect books or proz. Fake fans do not have the haggard look that is the mark of the true fan trying to keep abreast of the latest developments in stfdom. And there are some fans who like to describe themselves as fakefans to symbolize disinterest, but their continued fanac belies them.

   • 1960 January, Miller, P. Schuyler, Astounding Science Fiction, volume 64, number 5:

     Writers, editors, artists, fans, fan-editors -- even the 'fake fans' who never read the stuff -- have a strong commonality of interests, stereotypes, gossip, and even jargon. Fanzines, talks, panels, the 'pro' play -- all are crammed with private jokes and allusions that make very little sense to the outsider.

2. (pejorative) Someone who falsely claims to be a fan.
   • 1955 January, Bloch, Robert, “I Was a Fake Fan for the F.B.I.!”, in Abstract, number 9, page 8:
   • 1998 September 26, Mike C, “Re: Is Kordell Dumber Than A Box Of Rocks?”, in rec.arts.sf.fandom, Usenet, message-ID <360D3290.404D2BE4@954access.net>:

     I just thought I would let you know that a bandwagon fan is a fake fan.

   • 2009, Barrie, Julian, Chasing Women Without Leaving Your Seat, ISBN 9781440116865, page 56:

     For example, your potential date says she is an avid football fan (becasue one of your photos had you in an NFL cap). Good observation on her part spotting the cap, but you can stop the fake fan in her tracks by sacking her attempted pass at you. During preliminary discussions, bring up the topic of football and mention perhaps (keeping in line with fishing theme) that the Miami Dolphins are your favorite team, but they just haven't been the same since quarterback David Hasselhoff retired for a television career on Baywatch.

Coordinate terms

• (not a real fan): fake geek (geekdom), fake geek girl (geekdom), glory supporter (sport), pink hat (sport)