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A social media movement and phenomenon, commonly attributed to actress Alyssa Milano, which asks that people who have experienced sexual harassment and assault (SA) use the phrase or hashtag #MeToo to help show and underscore the reach, magnitude, and significance of sexual violence. Has a website dedicated to the movement and to helping SA survivors: metoomvmt.org

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Common fanfiction sub-genre abbreviation which stands for “Alpha/Beta/Omega.” This represents a specific type of AU where the characters are subject to physical changes that make them more dominant or submissive (often sexually, but also commonly as it relates to personality and daily life.) A full definition of this topic is beyond the scope of this glossary. Sometimes called Omegaverse.

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A person who is both a fandom participant and an academic researcher. Often these people conduct participatory research in relation to fandom.

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A period of time during Advent/Christmas/Hanukkah/Yuletide which is dedicated to the production of stories centered around these celebrations.

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An image or collage of images which is meant to represent a story, a concept, a character, or a romantic/sexual relationship. Sometimes called a moodboard.

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An acronym meaning “Assigned Female at Birth”. This is an umbrella term which is generally used within the LGBTQ+ community (and beyond) to describe a person whose gender was prescribed as female upon their birth based upon their genitalia. These persons may or may not identify as female.

This sort of terminology is preferable to phrases such as: “biological male/female,” “natal male/female,” “born male/female,” “male/female bodied,” etc.

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Acronym meaning “Ask Me Anything.” Usually used during livestreams by creators denoting that they are open to any questions from viewers. Occasionally appended to an A/N on a fanfic.

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An acronym meaning “Assigned Male at Birth”. This is an umbrella term which is generally used within the LGBTQ+ community (and beyond) to describe a person whose gender was prescribed as male upon their birth based upon their genitalia. These persons may or may not identify as male.

This sort of terminology is preferable to phrases such as: “biological male/female,” “natal male/female,” “born male/female,” “male/female bodied,” etc.

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Abbreviation for Author’s Note (sometimes AN). Refers to a note written and appended to either the beginning or ending of a chapter and/or entire work of fanfic by the author. Can communicate any number of things from author beliefs to question responses to trigger warnings to links to fanart and more. Sometimes includes a disclaimer, particularly if the author was a member of fandom in the aughts.

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Acronym for ArchiveOfOurOwn.org, a massive online collection of fanfiction and original works. The parent organization of AO3 is the nonprofit Organization for Transformative Works (OTW).

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Acronym for alternate universe, a tale used in fanfics to inform the reader that many of the aspects of the original work have been changed, up to and including core elements of canon, or even the very rules of the world that the characters inhabit.

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An early reader of a writer’s work who also serves as a sounding board for ideas, discussing plot and characterization, and generally acting as cheerleader when needed.

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Takes on the role of both an alpha and a beta.

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A tongue-in-cheek/cutesy name adopted by some members of the queer community to describe themselves. Denotes they are a member without have to say any of the multifarious and sometimes quite lengthy acronyms in use.

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A rare process which may occur in which fanon becomes canon. This can occur both if the creator has heard tale of the canon and chosen to implement it, and by natural process.

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Refers to the first decade of the second millennium of the Gregorian calendar, comprising 2000 to 2009.

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AU story/trope in which the majority of the work takes place in a bakery shop and the characters’ relationship milestones occur there. Typically, at least one member of the main ship owns or works in the bakery. Originally known as the “Barista AU.” Closely aligned with the Coffeeshop AU.

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A political action, platform, etc. that involves the agreement or cooperation of two or more political parties (eg. Democratic and Republican) which usually oppose each other’s policies.

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Acronym for Black, Indigenous, Person of Color.

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An early reader of a work who reads through the writer’s work with a critical eye, helping to edit for spelling, grammar, clarity, plot holes, and continuity.

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A fan who is particularly well-known within the fandom community for their fanworks. Sometimes (though rarely) a BN sees their work become canon. It is more likely for their work to be considered fanon by fandom participants. This is an older term and not as common now (2024) as it was twenty years ago.

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1954 U.S. Supreme Court cases which ruled that laws establishing racial segregation in public schools are unconstitutional, even if segregated schools are otherwise equal in quality. Partially overruled Plessy v. Ferguson (1896).

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An unfortunate trope in which queer characters (often the only queer characters of the work) die. This often occurs just after the characters experience happiness or contentment, sometimes via the confirmation and/or consummation of a new relationship.

Often, this trope is utilized in order to avoid the necessity of then writing and portraying a queer relationship/character in a nuanced manner. This was and is often meant to afford the creators and/or copyright owners with the veneration of their wider audience for having a queer character in their story without having to actually create a character or relationship of substance.

This is also a means of having a queer character without having to deal with potential fallout in socially conservative audiences; it is a means of making the existence of a queer character more ‘palatable’. This is an older trope and in classic queer literature was considered the only way a queer story could end, i.e., unhappily. (Seen, eg. in Maurice by E.M. Forster.)

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The ship of a character with an inanimate object. Generally joking/facetious in manner and considered to be a Crack!Ship. Eg. Drapple (Draco Malfoy/Apple), ChickRon (Ron Weasley/Chicken), and Ludding (Luna Lovegood/Pudding) in the WWoHP fandom.

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Acronym which stands for “consensual non-consent.” This is a type of roleplay scene in which members roleplay a sexual assault or rape. Good BDSM/kink etiquette REQUIRES a safe word, though not all stories include this practice.

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The world, plot, characters, and relationships between characters as depicted in the original work. Various aspects of canon are often disregarded in fanfiction.

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AU story/trope in which the majority of the work takes place in a coffee shop and the characters’ relationship milestones occur there. First became popular within LiveJournal fandoms and then migrated with fans to other platforms. Originally known as the “Barista AU.” Closely aligned with the Bakery AU.

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AU story/trope in which characters who are not canonically in higher education are students or faculty in college or university. Closely aligned with the High School AU, Academy AU, and University AU. (Academy AU and University AU are not defined within the glossary, but follow the same concept as a College AU within their respective locales.)

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A theory created by aca-fan Henry Jenkins that recognizes the changing relationships and experiences with new media. Posits the theory that as the same cultures interact with one another again and again they will become more and more alike, thus, converging together.

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Cosplay is the contracted form of “costume play.” It is the act of trying to emulate a character, concept, or world, through costume and acting. One who cosplays is called a cosplayer. Many cosplayers create their own costumes and props. While the cosplay is often of a canonical character, fans sometimes create original characters for the world they are cosplaying from. Cosplay competitions and photoshoots are common at conventions.

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A ship that is highly ridiculous, disturbing, uncanny, and/or bizarre. Can occur between any combination which may be imagined, whether or not the participants are even members of the same universe, time, species, or even are both animate. Eg. Drapple (Draco Malfoy/Apple), Hogwarts/The Giant Squid, Argus Filch/Mrs. Norris (all three from WWoHP) or Jelsa (Jack Frost/Elsa from Rise of the Guardians/Frozen respectively). Fans can and do seriously ship crack!ships, but typically do not take its chance for canonicity seriously. These ships are sometimes beloved merely for their implausibility. Closely related to rarepair.

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A media—usually a movie, book, or TV show—which is hugely popular or fashionable amongst a particular group, section, or subculture of society.

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Fanfiction which tackles darker themes such as abuse, eating disorders, war, trauma, etc. Comparable to Lew Zipin’s Dark Funds of Knowledge in educational academia.

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A philosophy of interpreting a work as it stands, separate from its creator. This viewpoint disregards any statements made or actions taken that the author has done outside of the work itself. This often focuses in particular on statements about the meaning of the work, but does not necessitate this focal point.

This philosophy is often adopted in regard to J.K. Rowling (author of the Harry Potter series), H.P. Lovecraft and his omnibus, and even J.R.R. Tolkien. Rowling and Lovecraft are generally separated from their works due to their political beliefs, whereas Tolkien’s statement that the Lord of the Rings is not an allegory for WWII is generally disregarded in favor of analyzing his writing through the lens of a WWII survivor.

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A brief note that states that a fanwork is simply that and that all rights belong to the original creator/author/copyright holder of the work. Often also states that the fan creator is not profiting from their work.

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Acronym meaning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. An organizational framework which seeks to promote the fair treatment and full participation of all people, particularly those who come from a historically marginalized group.

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Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

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Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

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2022 Supreme Court case which held that the Constitution of the United States of America does not confer a federal right to abortion. Overruled Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992).

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(The Defense of Marriage Act) A discriminatory federal law passed by the 104th United States Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton. This law defined and gave federal protection to the institution of marriage as being between one man and one woman, also allowing for states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages. All of this act’s provisions have been ruled as unconstitutional or legally devoid by the Supreme Court in the decisions of United States v. Windsor (2013) and Obergefell v. Hodges (2015). H.R. 8404, the Respect for Marriage Act, repealed the remainder of this law as one of its actions when it was signed into law in 2022.

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The search for and publishing of private and often identifying information about someone on the Internet. Often an act performed with malicious intent. Well known TikTokker TizzyEnt is known for performing this action in many of his videos.

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A portmanteaux. A romantic pairing between Hermione Granger and Draco Malloy in the WWoHP. Has become more well-known outside of fandom in recent years due to the popularity of fanfictions discussed and recommended on TikTok such as Manacled by SenLinYu.

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A portmanteaux. A romantic pairing between Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy in the WWoHP.

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A shortened version of “dubious consent.” Similar to CNC, but not equivalent in meaning. Most A/B/O explicit content is dub-con by nature due to the influence of hormones as experienced by the characters.

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Common trope in which at least two characters that are originally enemies grow to become romantically and/or sexually involved. Closely tied to FTL and Idiots to Lovers.

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Enemies to Lovers Echo, a fan based podcast and recording community which produces podfic of ETL fanfic. Has archived over 250 podfics to date.

https://archiveofourown.org/users/ETL_Echo_Audiobooks/pseuds/ETL_Echo_Audiobooks

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A social group of people that have a common national and/or cultural tradition set.

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A tag used to denote that a romantic relationship occurs between two women in a fanfiction.

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A tag used to denote that a romantic relationship occurs between a man and a woman in a fanfiction.

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A tag used to denote that a romantic relationship occurs between a woman and a non-binary person in a fanfiction.

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A transformative work of art created by fans.

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The person (often real) who a fan would like to see in the role of a particular character, or whom they picture as that character.

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The transformative composition of original works from a variety of media by altering or continuing them as an author (or by some accounts the author’s personified muse) sees fit.

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Any element that has little or no basis in canon which is widely accepted among fans. Fanon sometimes goes through the ascension process and is made canon. Sometimes is sourced from a small event in canon which becomes exaggerated or elaborated upon in fanfiction that is then picked up and repeated so often that some may come to think it is canonical.

Eg. Draco Malfoy loves green apples. Malfoy was seen eating an apple in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and later placing one in the Vanishing Cabinet while working on it in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. These two short scenes have been extrapolated into common fanon in the WWoHP fandom, sometimes even as a cargo ship.

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An acronym standing for FanFiction.net, a website which catalogues a large amount of fanfiction. Founded in 1998 and is one of the largest repositories for fanfiction.

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A subculture made up of the fans of an original work/franchise. Often very devoted, this group may write fanfiction, produce fanart, cosplay, or speculate about the future/plot of the franchise.

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A video made and produced by fans about work within the universe of a work. Includes fanmovies.

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An event where several fanfiction authors write stories that involves specific tropes, characters, ships, or other prompts.

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The act of sharing downloaded or downloadable files of fanfiction or other media. This includes works which have been removed from their host sites. Hotly contested between fandom members but more accepted than not as a general rule. May include, DOC, EPUB, MOBI, PDF, AZW3, JPEG, MPEG, MPE, MP4, M4b, or other similar file types.

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A fanfiction which is designed to change an unpopular aspect (usually a death or breakup) of an original work’s canon.

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Musical tradition, genre, and communities stemming from a typo. Originates from the 1950s within sci-fi and fantasy fandoms. Works in this tradition vary widely in subject, type, and production.

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A group of people who support, love, and care for one another as though they were family but which shares no blood relation with one another.

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A soft, comfortable, happy, sweet, and/or light-hearted story with little to no conflict.

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Common fanfiction trope with which two characters that are originally just friends grow to become romantically and/or sexually involved. Closely tied to ETL and Idiots to Lovers.

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The act of changing one or more character’s gender from their canonical gender. Eg. Writing a WWoHP fanfic in which Harry Potter, the titular character, is a girl instead of the canonical boy.

Similar to racebending.

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A fanfiction that is considered to be one of the “best of the best” available. Usually highly recommended by fandom members, though not always. (Sometimes these are lesser-known fics.)

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1965 U.S. Supreme Court case which ruled that the United States Constitution protects the liberty of the people to buy and use contraceptives without government restriction.

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Gender, sexual, and romantic minorities/minoritized groups.

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Happily ever after. A tag which assures the reader that the fanfiction will have a happy ending. Sometimes known as EHEA, or Eventual Happily Ever After.

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An additional plot, character, relationship, or other element of a story that is not explicitly described in the canon but which is expanded upon by fans of the work and accepted as reality for the work’s universe. Does not necessarily contradict canon, but may do so. Most simply, it is how an individual interprets the “true” version of events, regardless of canon, fanon, or fanfiction.

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AU story/trope in which characters who are not canonically in high school are students or faculty in a high school. Closely aligned with the College AU, Academy AU, and University AU. (Academy AU and University AU are not defined within the glossary, but follow the same concept as a College AU within their respective locales.)

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Acronym standing for Harry Potter.

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Acronym meaning “in real life.”

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A time period following the United States civil War in which laws were in effect at both the state and local a levels enforcing racial segregation and discrimination in the Southern United States. Also affected other areas of the States informally.

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A romantic/sexual pairing between the characters John Watson and Sherlock Holmes in a Sherlock Universe. (Originally by Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes recently entered into the public domain.)

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An unconventional sexual taste, behavior, or preference.

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An online space dedicated to the prompting and fulfillment of fanfic. Usually anonymous and centered around a particular kink or set of kinks.

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The act of shaming someone for their sexual kinks.

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When fans dedicate the month of October to the production of kink-flavored fanfic, fanart, etc. Typically each day has a different prompt. Also seen as Kinktember which is the month of September instead.

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2003 U.S. Supreme Court case which ruled that sanctions of criminal punishment for those who commit sodomy are unconstitutional.

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Older fandom terminology. Refers to explicit rated sexual content and non-explicit sexual content respectively. An entire “citrus scale” was introduced but only lemon and lime ever gained any significant popular usage. Still occasionally seen from time to time, usually from older fandom members.

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Acronym most often seen as LGBT or LGBTQ+ meaning lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer, and beyond. Often used to refer to the queer community. Sometimes seen as GLBT, most often in materials from the 1970s to 1990s. Other variations exist, eg. LGBTQ, LGBTQIA2S+, LGBTIH, QUILTBAG. (Respectively these are intersex, asexual, aromantic, two-spirit, Hijra, and unsure.) Other variations include C for curious, SA for straight allies, P for polyamorous or pansexual, O for other. H often is Hijra, a third gender identity term used on the Indian subcontinent, but it may also stand for HIV-affected.

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A still extant blogging platform which was once a central hub for fanfiction. Popularity of the site has fallen significantly over the years. Sometimes written as LiVEJOURNAL, usually as LJ by fandom members.

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A character archetype in fiction who is inexplicably liked by everyone, gifted, and competent across all areas of content. Hermione Granger is a common Mary-Sue in WWoHP fandom. Sometimes seen as a reader self-insert.

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An element of culture passed from one person to another. Online usually an image, GIF, phrase, etc. which is humorous in nature and gains popularity, spread across a variety of communities. Can come to hold its own meaning which can be difficult to describe.

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See aesthetic.

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A tag used to denote that a romantic relationship occurs between two men in a fanfiction.

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A tag and acronym denoting the presence of a relationship which involves “men loving men.”

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A tag used to denote that a romantic relationship occurs between a man and a nonbinary person in a fanfiction.

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A romantic/sexual pairing between the characters Dr. McCoy and James Kirk in the Star Trek Universe.

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A romantic/sexual grouping between the characters James Kirk, Dr. McCoy, and Mr. Spock in the Star Trek Universe.

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An AU set in the WWoHP universe in which the characters are non-magical persons. Often the magical world no longer exists/never has existed in these fics. Comparable to Mundane AU.

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A tag used to denote that there is at least one polyamorous relationship in the fanfic, often the main ship, though not always. Sometimes M/M/M, F/F/F, F/F/M, F/M/M, M/M/M/M, etc.

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An AU set in a SciFi, Fantasy, Horror, or Romantasy canon where all genre elements have been removed.

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A person who brain processes information in a way that is not typical of a majority of individuals. Often autistic, though not always. Also seen as neurospicy.

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A person whose brain processes information in the manner typical of a majority of individuals.

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Television ratings which tell media participants who was exposed to content and advertisement using several metrics—some of these include reach, frequency, and averages.

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Shortened form of “non-consensual.” Refers to contact, generally sexual in nature which is not consensual between participants. Can be non-con for one or more of participants.

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A romantic/sexual pairing between Harry Potter and Theodore Nott in the WWoHP.

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Acronyms meaning “not safe for work” and “safe for work.”

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Another term used to refer to A/B/O AUs.

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2015 U.S. Supreme Court case which ruled that the fundamental, federal right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by both the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.