The term "furry fandom" refers to a community of people who are interested in anthropomorphic animals, characterized as having human-like qualities. The spelling of "furry" is usually pronounced as /ˈfɜː.ri/ in IPA phonetic transcription, meaning it is pronounced as "fur-ee". Meanwhile, "fandom" has the phonetic transcription /ˈfændəm/, which is spoken as "fan-duhm". The term has gained popularity with the rise of internet culture, and has spawned numerous subcultures and communities of individuals with shared interests in furry art, literature, and games.
The term "furry fandom" refers to a subculture or community of people who have a strong interest and fascination with anthropomorphic animal characters, either in fictional works or in real life. It encompasses individuals who enjoy artwork, literature, role-playing, cosplay, and socializing centered around anthropomorphic animals.
Furries typically create their own original characters or "fursonas," which are representations of themselves as anthropomorphic animals. These characters often have distinct personalities, traits, and backstories. Within the furry fandom, individuals express their creativity through various mediums, such as art, digital animation, and storytelling.
Membership in the furry fandom is diverse, encompassing individuals of varying genders, sexual orientations, ages, and ethnic backgrounds. Many furries participate in conventions and gatherings dedicated to the furry subculture, where they can meet like-minded individuals, showcase their creative works, and engage in role-playing or costume-based activities.
It is important to note that not all people who appreciate and enjoy anthropomorphic animals identify as furries. The furry fandom emphasizes the creation and engagement with fictional anthropomorphic characters rather than identifying solely with real animals. Moreover, it is a shared interest and does not necessarily equate to any specific belief system or lifestyle.
The term "furry fandom" is a combination of two words: "furry" and "fandom". Here's a breakdown of their etymology:
1. Furry: The term "furry" has its origins in the mid-20th century, primarily in the United States. It was originally used as an adjective to describe various anthropomorphic animal characters in literature, comics, and cartoons. These characters possess both human and animal traits, such as walking on two legs, talking, and displaying human emotions and intelligence. Over time, the term "furry" expanded to include individuals who were interested in and engaged with anthropomorphic animal artwork, stories, and costuming.
2. Fandom: The word "fandom" stems from "fan" (short for "fanatic") and the suffix "-dom", denoting a state or domain.