Stormtrooper
Originally uploaded by Anthony Georgis

Geeks have made an impact on the English language. And now it’s being reflected in the dictionary. Many of the new words in the official book are products of the techy persuasion. I don’t know if this means they are being elevated or the English language is plummeting. I think we’re still not accepting “Leet” so we’re still in good shape. One of the new words is fanboy. While I think it should be included in our official lexicon, I don’t agree with the actual definition:

a boy who is an enthusiastic devotee (as of comics or movies)

First off, I’m surprised how literal they made the term “boy” since most of the fanboys I know are men. Also, fanboys can be female. Just because women are into a glamorized New York lifestyle as opposed to dressing as Jedis doesn’t mean they’re less fanboyish. And people can be fanboyish about video games and cars and baskets and all sorts of stuff, not just comics and movies.

So, I don’t like limiting the gender of fanboys, the age of fanboys, nor the subject matter of fanboy devotion. Then again, that is the stereotype. And, if it’s in the dictionary, that will keep the narrow view alive. But I will continue to say anyone can be guilty of fanboyism about almost anything.

By the way, I was the only one I could find who didn’t use this story as an excuse to post a picture of some babe dressed as Slave Leia in a metal bikini. Amazing that I showed such restraint.

“Just like parents sometimes twist their kid’s arm, yanking them out of a busy street, sometimes the safest thing isn’t the most comfortable.”