Fighting Words

[saeva]

This rant has been building for a long time. Months, if not years. It may offend people. It may upset people. And I'd say I'm sorry about that but I'm not -- people need to be offended and upset about this. They need to realize exactly how disturbing and creepy it is

Comments

[nakeisha]

Here via metafandom

You are right in what you say and my husband hates it when I use the term. So I have made a conscious effort to stop using it for some time now and I personally use 'promote' instead, when talking about 'promoting a community' rather than 'pimping a community'. But I still find myself slipping from time to time - especially when talking about 'I was pimped into a fandom', because off hand I can't find a simple term to replace that - unlike 'promote' when 'promoting' something. I shall try even harder.

I admit I hadn't consciously thought about it in the terms you describe above, even though I naturally know the meaning. And I can't say I find it as offensive a term a 'nigger', but that aside, it does have a 'not very nice' feel to it. And I'm sure people don't mean to be offensive when they use it and probably in all sincerity don't feel they are being.

Sadly, I doubt if people will stop using it, as it's become part of 'fandom' (like the term ;Real Life' and 'Real Life Friends' which I personally hate as I find it rather insulting - not in the same way as 'pimp'. But I've found people nod their heads and say 'oh, yes, I do so agree with you and that's exactly how I feel' and then go on using RL, because it's part of fandom and it's a lot quicker than saying 'life outside of fandom'.

Thank you for posting this - it is food for thought and it's rationally said/argued.

[saeva]

Oh, I know what you mean. I icon and as big as it is in fic reccing, it's HUGE in iconning. Iconning just doesn't use the word "rec" at all, that I've found. Instead, they do use pimp. Pimp my icons. Pimp this comm. Pimp this show, isn't it so pretty? Pimp this LIMS. And then I find myself, excited about a new LIMS (Last Icon Maker Standing) contest, typing the word "pimp" before going "No. Wait." and backtracking to use promote. But it's a struggle. I have to remind myself. I understand a lot of people really don't want to bother.

As for being "pimped" into a new fandom, maybe try "recced" or even "tempted"? You kinda do mean you were shown stuff until you were tempted to try, I imagine, at least that's how it works with me and my friends. Even "pulled" would give the same general meaning without the word.

Anyway, I'm glad to see mostly positive responses to this. I was really worried these would, in fact, be "fighting words" and I'd have a flamewar on my hands. That's why I waited until after most my finals (last one in an hour and a half!) to post it.

[nakeisha]

And it can be very difficult to be alone in the general terminology.

Rec is good for fiction, songvids
Promote for a comm/ficathon, that kind of thing.

'Tempted' might work. Mind you, I've only been encouraged into one fandom, normally I get myself into them, and then I ended up going for the opposite pairing to the person who had brought the show to my attention ;-)

I'm glad to hear you've had mostly positive replies, I can quite understand your concern - I thought you were brave to make the post. Kudos to you.

I hope the finals went well.

also here via metafandom

[pensnest]

'I was pimped into a fandom'

Tempted? Lured? Enticed? 'Enticed' is a lovely word!

Re: also here via metafandom

[nakeisha]

Of them 'tempted' has the better feel.

You're right that in sound 'enticed' is lovely, but it and 'lured' in some ways has more negative connotations to me than 'pimped'.

'Encouraged' even.

For stories/songvids, it's easy 'rec' or 'recc'd'
For comms/ficathons, etc. it's also easy 'promoting' works well.

Thanks for the 'food' for thought.

Re: also here via metafandom

[nakeisha]

That doesn't work for me personally for more than one reason, I'm afraid.

'Tempted' it about the closest - but as I'm not planning getting into anymore fandoms, it shouldn't be an issue.