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Is there a B5 eqilvalent to the word "Trekkie"?

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Truth_Seeker

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Dec 17, 2009, 4:10:24 PM12/17/09
to preslav...@abv.bg
I was wondering if there is any official way for B5 fans to call each
other, similar to the way "Star Trek" fans refer to themselves as
"Trekkies".

"Babbie" certainly doesn't sound appropriate and "Babyloner" sounds a
little lonely, so I've simply come up with "B5-er" (just a suggestion
unless there is no established word yet).:-)


Dan Dassow

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Dec 17, 2009, 11:43:15 PM12/17/09
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Over the years some have used "Bablers", "B5-ers", "lurkers", "First
Ones", and "disciples of the Church of Joe" to describe fans of
Babylon 5, but no term seems to be in common use.

Dan Dassow

Matt Ion

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Dec 18, 2009, 12:46:49 AM12/18/09
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"TNT Haters"


SLerman

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Dec 18, 2009, 8:58:06 AM12/18/09
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I vaguely recall seeing the term 5-er (or Five-er) used sometimes. I
think "person with good taste" has also been used.

Joseph DeMartino

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Dec 18, 2009, 9:29:00 AM12/18/09
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On Dec 17, 4:10 pm, Truth_Seeker <preslav_kos...@abv.bg> wrote:
> I was wondering if there is any official way for B5 fans to call each
> other, similar to the way "Star Trek" fans refer to themselves as
> "Trekkies".

Fortunately, no.

And "Trekies" is generally a word applied *to* "Trek" fans, not by
them. Last time I checked the preferred term was still "Trekkers".

If anyone tries to hang any such ridiculous name on "B5" fans I will
personally introduce him to the Narn Bat Squad. <g>

Regards,

Joe

Jan

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Dec 18, 2009, 11:20:03 AM12/18/09
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In article <b189904f-8967-4ba4...@j24g2000yqa.googlegroups.com>,
SLerman says...

JMS wrote:
----------------------
From: jms...@aol.com (Jms at B5)
Subject: BABYLON 5 PILOT EPISODE ON CFT
To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated
Date: 2/3/1994 6:05:00 AM

Most B5 viewers that I've heard from call themselves Fivers, when
they identify themselves as anything other than what they are, people of
infinite taste and sensibility....

jms
------------------------

"B5 fan" has always worked for me.

Jan


--
�Shared pain is lessened; shared joy is increased; thus do we refute entropy�
--Spider Robinson

Check out http://wedreamforjeanne.blogspot.com/ for ways to help Jeanne Robinson
fight cancer.

Doug Freyburger

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Dec 18, 2009, 11:24:15 AM12/18/09
to
Joseph DeMartino wrote:
> Truth_Seeker <preslav_kos...@abv.bg> wrote:
>
>> I was wondering if there is any official way for B5 fans to call each
>> other, similar to the way "Star Trek" fans refer to themselves as
>> "Trekkies".
>
> Fortunately, no.

The show wasn't popular enough for any one term to take off. Among
others Babylonian was suggested. It's as cornily inaccurate as
teenagers calling themselves Goths.

> And "Trekies" is generally a word applied *to* "Trek" fans, not by
> them. Last time I checked the preferred term was still "Trekkers".

The trouble is I knew a guy who worked on one of the movies. That would
make hime a Trekker because he was a part of the creating of it and me a
Trekkee because I was just a customer. I've never put on Star Fleet
uniform costume so there's a limit to how fanish I get.

> If anyone tries to hang any such ridiculous name on "B5" fans I will
> personally introduce him to the Narn Bat Squad. <g>

I'll being expecting their call ...

<*>


Dan Dassow

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Dec 18, 2009, 12:04:03 PM12/18/09
to

So in effect, the common practice is to call ourselves "B5 fans" and
call the defenders of the faith the "Narn Bat Squad".

Dan Dassow

Stefan

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Dec 18, 2009, 12:06:48 PM12/18/09
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"Trekkies / Trekker", "Gater", "Fiver" is quite common.

http://www.midwinter.com/b5/b5_jms_answers.txt
Search for "Fiver".

Stefan

--
Morden: "It's like knocking over an ant-hill. Every new generation
gets
stronger, the ant-hill gets redesigned, made better"
[Z'ha'dum]

Mac Breck

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Dec 18, 2009, 12:55:33 PM12/18/09
to
Doug Freyburger wrote:
> Joseph DeMartino wrote:
>> Truth_Seeker <preslav_kos...@abv.bg> wrote:
>>
>>> I was wondering if there is any official way for B5 fans to call
>>> each other, similar to the way "Star Trek" fans refer to themselves
>>> as "Trekkies".
>>
>> Fortunately, no.
>
> The show wasn't popular enough for any one term to take off. Among
> others Babylonian was suggested. It's as cornily inaccurate as
> teenagers calling themselves Goths.

after Babylonian Productions, so not so inaccurate in that light.


--
Mac Breck (KoshN)
-------------------------------
"Babylon 5: Crusade" (1999) - "War Zone"
Galen (to Gideon): "I've been penalized before for helping other
people. I've been trying to decide whether or not I should risk it
again."

Mac Breck

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Dec 18, 2009, 12:56:48 PM12/18/09
to
Joseph DeMartino wrote:
> On Dec 17, 4:10 pm, Truth_Seeker <preslav_kos...@abv.bg> wrote:
>> I was wondering if there is any official way for B5 fans to call each
>> other, similar to the way "Star Trek" fans refer to themselves as
>> "Trekkies".
>
> Fortunately, no.
>
> And "Trekies" is generally a word applied *to* "Trek" fans, not by
> them.

It wasn't derogatory in the old days (the 1960s & 1970s).


> Last time I checked the preferred term was still "Trekkers".

Eh, pretentious, snooty.


> If anyone tries to hang any such ridiculous name on "B5" fans I will
> personally introduce him to the Narn Bat Squad. <g>
>
> Regards,
>
> Joe

Babylonians? "Fivers" or "B5ers" sounds OK, though.

SLerman

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Dec 18, 2009, 1:47:49 PM12/18/09
to
On Dec 18, 11:20 am, Jan <janmschroe...@aol.com> wrote:
> In article <b189904f-8967-4ba4-ae2b-e3bed6e75...@j24g2000yqa.googlegroups.com>,

> SLerman says...
>
>
>
> >On Dec 17, 4:10=A0pm, Truth_Seeker <preslav_kos...@abv.bg> wrote:
> >> I was wondering if there is any official way for B5 fans to call each
> >> other, similar to the way "Star Trek" fans refer to themselves as
> >> "Trekkies".
>
> >> "Babbie" certainly doesn't sound appropriate and "Babyloner" sounds a
> >> little lonely, so I've simply come up with "B5-er" (just a suggestion
> >> unless there is no established word yet).:-)
>
> >I vaguely recall seeing the term 5-er (or Five-er) used sometimes. I
> >think "person with good taste" has also been used.
>
> JMS wrote:
>
> ----------------------
> From: jmsa...@aol.com (Jms at B5)

>  Subject: BABYLON 5 PILOT EPISODE ON CFT
>       To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated  
>     Date: 2/3/1994 6:05:00 AM      
>
> Most B5 viewers that I've heard from call themselves Fivers, when
> they identify themselves as anything other than what they are, people of
> infinite taste and sensibility....
>
> jms
> ------------------------
>
> "B5 fan" has always worked for me.
>
> Jan
>
> --
> “Shared pain is lessened; shared joy is increased; thus do we refute entropy”
> --Spider Robinson
>
> Check outhttp://wedreamforjeanne.blogspot.com/for ways to help Jeanne Robinson
> fight cancer.

Thanks Jan. I was going to write "infinite taste", but I wasn't
certain if that was a real JMS quote or if I was just making it up.

Truth_Seeker

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Dec 18, 2009, 3:40:24 PM12/18/09
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On 18 ������, 07:46, Matt Ion <soundy...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On 17/12/2009 1:10 PM, Truth_Seeker wrote:
>

> "TNT Haters"

That's for sure! :-)


Charlie E.

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Dec 18, 2009, 6:29:34 PM12/18/09
to
On Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:56:48 -0500, "Mac Breck"
<macthe...@yahoo.com> wrote:

>Joseph DeMartino wrote:
>> On Dec 17, 4:10 pm, Truth_Seeker <preslav_kos...@abv.bg> wrote:
>>> I was wondering if there is any official way for B5 fans to call each
>>> other, similar to the way "Star Trek" fans refer to themselves as
>>> "Trekkies".
>>
>> Fortunately, no.
>>
>> And "Trekies" is generally a word applied *to* "Trek" fans, not by
>> them.
>
>It wasn't derogatory in the old days (the 1960s & 1970s).
>
>
>> Last time I checked the preferred term was still "Trekkers".
>
>Eh, pretentious, snooty.
>
>
>> If anyone tries to hang any such ridiculous name on "B5" fans I will
>> personally introduce him to the Narn Bat Squad. <g>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Joe
>
>Babylonians? "Fivers" or "B5ers" sounds OK, though.

To be honest, I always liked the term 'Babblers,' if only for the
inherent humor in it... ;-)

Charlie

Dan Dassow

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Dec 18, 2009, 8:27:32 PM12/18/09
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'rasslingphobes

Dan Dassow

Kay Shapero

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Dec 19, 2009, 12:54:26 AM12/19/09
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In article <hgga3...@drn.newsguy.com>, janmsc...@aol.com says...

>
> "B5 fan" has always worked for me.
>

Likewise.

--
Kay Shapero, B5 Fan
http://www.kayshapero.net

Kay Shapero

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Dec 19, 2009, 1:03:35 AM12/19/09
to
In article <Z6-dnU9rtvr6X7bW...@supernews.com>,
macthe...@yahoo.com says...

> >
> > And "Trekies" is generally a word applied *to* "Trek" fans, not by
> > them.
>
> It wasn't derogatory in the old days (the 1960s & 1970s).

FWIW in the early '70s when I got involved, both "Trekkies" and
"Trekkers" were in use. Users of the latter thought the other term
derogatory. Users of the former thought the latter term pretentious.
The rest of us thought the whole thing silly. Over the years, I've used
both from time to time. :)

--
Kay Shapero
Warning! Furry Trekkie Filksinger!
http://www.kayshapero.net

Amy Guskin

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Dec 19, 2009, 9:50:34 AM12/19/09
to
>> On Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:54:26 -0500, Kay Shapero wrote
(in article <MPG.25960a6a8...@news.west.earthlink.net>):

> In article <hgga3...@drn.newsguy.com>, janmsc...@aol.com says...
>
>>
>> "B5 fan" has always worked for me.
>>
> Likewise. <<

I will see your "likewise," and ditto it. I don't think we need a
descriptive collective term.

Amy
--
Ten Thousand Questions
A Question a Day for Journaling, Self-Discovery, and Transformation
"2009 is the Year of Questions"
tenthousandquestions.com


Duggy

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Dec 20, 2009, 6:14:08 PM12/20/09
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On Dec 18, 4:24 pm, Doug Freyburger <dfrey...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> The trouble is I knew a guy who worked on one of the movies. That would
> make hime a Trekker because he was a part of the creating of it and me a
> Trekkee because I was just a customer.

That's a inappropriate application of rules.

It makes him a Film Maker and you a Film Viewer (not a FIlm Makee).

A trekker is someone who treks not someone who makes Star Trek films,
I wouldn't want to guest what a Trekee would be in that context.

===
= DUG.
===

Doug Freyburger

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Dec 20, 2009, 8:27:16 PM12/20/09
to
Duggy wrote:
> Doug Freyburger <dfrey...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> The trouble is I knew a guy who worked on one of the movies. That would
>> make hime a Trekker because he was a part of the creating of it and me a
>> Trekkee because I was just a customer.
>
> That's a inappropriate application of rules.
>
> It makes him a Film Maker and you a Film Viewer (not a FIlm Makee).
>
> A trekker is someone who treks not someone who makes Star Trek films,

There's also the parallel for techer and techie. I am definitely a
techer. Those who call me a techie are not technical enough to be among
those who pay my salary. There are folks who work in technology who
call themselves techies. Sure enough when they need to get to third
level support they end up on the line with me.

> I wouldn't want to guest what a Trekee would be in that context.

Chortle.

Duggy

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Dec 20, 2009, 8:55:23 PM12/20/09
to
On Dec 19, 2:50 pm, Amy Guskin <aisl...@fjordstone.com> wrote:
> >> On Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:54:26 -0500, Kay Shapero wrote
>
> (in article <MPG.25960a6a83e6356c989...@news.west.earthlink.net>):
>
> > In article <hgga3j01...@drn.newsguy.com>, janmschroe...@aol.com says...

>
> >> "B5 fan" has always worked for me.
>
> > Likewise. <<
>
> I will see your "likewise," and ditto it. I don't think we need a
> descriptive collective term.

Me too.

===
= DUG.
===

Ex Gropo

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Dec 21, 2009, 5:37:20 PM12/21/09
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I like Narn Bat Squad.


Matt Ion

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Dec 22, 2009, 3:31:43 AM12/22/09
to
On 18/12/2009 6:29 AM, Joseph DeMartino wrote:

> And "Trekies" is generally a word applied *to* "Trek" fans, not by
> them. Last time I checked the preferred term was still "Trekkers".

Yes and no. Originally, "trekkies" (small "t") was a quasi-derogatory
term applied TO the fans, but was quickly adopted BY the fans as a badge
of honor... much like the term "geek" itself (most true geeks I know of
are proud to be geeks; nerds, however, are a different animal).

One TNG took Trek out of the "geek" realm and made it mainstream fare,
someone somewhere decided that it would no longer do for the new,
larger, Mom-and-Pop fanbase to be labeled with a quasi-derogatory title,
and thus the term "Trekker" (big "T") was coined to appease the PC
sensibility.

I, personally, much prefer to be identified as a "trekkie". "Trekkers"
are bandwagoners, as far as I'm concerned. Wannabes. Hangers-on.
They're not the true geeks; they're the general TV public who "got into"
Trek because it was the COOL thing to watch for a time.

I think that's your true defining factor there: Trekkers are Trekkers
because it's COOL (or was, anyway) to be a Trekker. Trekkies are
trekkies because they were Trek geeks long before the Trekkers came
along; COOL never entered into it.

You'll note with the slow decline of the franchise over the last
decade-and-a-half, the number of Trekkers has declined accordingly.
Trekkies, on the other hand, are forever.


Joseph DeMartino

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Dec 22, 2009, 7:06:28 AM12/22/09
to
On Dec 22, 3:31 am, Matt Ion <soundy...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Once TNG took Trek out of the "geek" realm and made it mainstream fare,

> someone somewhere decided that it would no longer do for the new,
> larger, Mom-and-Pop fanbase to be labeled with a quasi-derogatory title,
> and thus the term "Trekker" (big "T") was coined to appease the PC
> sensibility.

Nonsense. "Trekker" (capitalized or not) long pre-dates "ST:TNG". I
should know - I was there. The term was coined by older,moe serious
and mostly male, "Trek" fans who wanted to distinguish themselves from
the "true" "trekkies" who were largely seen as 13 year old girls with
crushes on Mr. Spock. The latlter did embrace "trekkie" as a label,
in part because it sounded cute. The former rejected it for the same
reason. And all long before "TNG" (or any of the feature films) were
a gleam in Paramount's eye. (I remember "trekkie" vs. "trekker"
arguments at the 2nd and 3rd New York "Trek" conventions in the early
70s, and in fanzines before that.)

Interesting theory, it just has nothing to do with the actual events.

Regards,

Joe

Kay Shapero

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Dec 22, 2009, 4:04:47 PM12/22/09
to
In article <10ad8f64-6b7f-474f-a21a-329e28976832
@l13g2000yqb.googlegroups.com>, jdem...@bellsouth.net says...

> Nonsense. "Trekker" (capitalized or not) long pre-dates "ST:TNG". I
> should know - I was there. The term was coined by older,moe serious
> and mostly male, "Trek" fans who wanted to distinguish themselves from
> the "true" "trekkies" who were largely seen as 13 year old girls with
> crushes on Mr. Spock.

Actually most of the ST fans using either term that I encountered in the
early '70s were in their late teens/early twenties and to a large extent
female. It WAS a reaction to "Trekkie" being seen as a derogatory
mundane put-down.
--
Kay Shapero
address munged, email kay at following domain
http://www.kayshapero.net

voxwoman

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Dec 22, 2009, 6:08:33 PM12/22/09
to

And what is WRONG with 13 year old girls having crushes on Mr Spock,
and making people call them "Zarabeth"? You don't think such children
would start reading "real" SF and growing to love the genre?
(who me? I think I was 11 when I did that)

-Wendy

John W. Kennedy

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Dec 22, 2009, 8:14:04 PM12/22/09
to
On Dec 22, 6:08 pm, voxwoman <voxwo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> And what is WRONG with 13 year old girls having crushes on Mr Spock,
> and making people call them "Zarabeth"? You don't think such children
> would start reading "real" SF and growing to love the genre?
> (who me? I think I was 11 when I did that)

I rather fancy the problem is being a 25-year-old male (and,
incidentally, straight) and being mistaken for a 13-year-old girl with
a crush on Mr. Spock, especially by persons who reject the childishly
unreal "Trek" in favor of the stark, objective realism of "Two-Fisted
Tales" or "My True Story".

Duggy

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Dec 22, 2009, 8:56:34 PM12/22/09
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On Dec 21, 10:37 pm, Ex Gropo <b5acol...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I like Narn Bat Squad.

I like Hot Sailors

===
= DUG.
===

Duggy

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Dec 22, 2009, 8:57:20 PM12/22/09
to
On Dec 22, 11:08 pm, voxwoman <voxwo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> And what is WRONG with 13 year old girls having crushes on Mr Spock,
> and making people call them "Zarabeth"? You don't think such children
> would start reading "real" SF and growing to love the genre?
> (who me? I think I was 11 when I did that)

Can, not will.

===
= DUG.
===

Matt Ion

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Dec 24, 2009, 1:25:06 PM12/24/09
to

I stand corrected then; I'd never heard the term before TNG took off and
the term was adopted by fans who disliked being lumped in with those
"trekkie geeks".


Stefan

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Dec 26, 2009, 7:06:47 AM12/26/09
to

-- Footnote --
Robert Wise ("Star Trek - The Movie" director) in an '79-interview(*):
that he didn't knew "Star Trek" before and that he viewed the whole
series "And now I'm a trekkie" he ended.
And he isn't a 13yearold girl, obviously. ;-)
Stefan

('*) Source: book about StarTrek; I don't know for sure, if that
Robert Wise interview is a special of one of the ST-The Movie-DVDs.

--
Delenn: "We believe that no race can be truly intelligent
without laughter"
[A Race Through Dark Places]

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