Fannish

Part of speech: adjective, noun

Definitions

1. Relating to devoted admirers of a particular film, book, television show or celebrity, and the communities they form
2. Characteristic of enthusiastic followers who are passionately devoted to a popular hobby, franchise or performer
3. Describing the attitudes, behavior or culture of avid supporters, particularly those involved in science fiction or comics fandom

Etymology: Fannish is a plain English formation: the noun "fan" with the suffix "-ish", meaning "having the qualities of" or "somewhat like" something. Its own parts do most of the explaining, and the suffix itself is old, coming down through Old English "-isc" and Germanic roots. The noun "fan" is the more interesting half. It is a shortening of "fanatic", which came into English from Latin "fanaticus", meaning "frenzied" or "inspired by a god", and which was tied to "fanum", a temple. The clipped form "fan" appeared first as a term for devoted followers of sports and the stage, and the adjective "fannish" grew from that everyday sense of an enthusiast rather than from any religious sense of the original Latin. The suffix "-ish" turns a noun into an adjective meaning "like" or "characteristic of", so "fannish" describes behaviour typical of a devoted enthusiast, especially of a fan of science fiction or comics.

Synonyms: fanatical, devoted, enthusiastic

Antonyms: indifferent, apathetic