Inquiring Minds Want to Know

[sasha_feather]

eta: eta, SMOFs are usually people who run conventions.

Poll #11671 SMOF

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 47

View Respondents

The term "SMOF", Secret Masters of Fandom, is supposed to be read as ironic or joking

View Answers

Yes
11 (23.4%)

No
2 (4.3%)

It depends upon context
11 (23.4%)

This is the first time I've heard the term
18 (38.3%)

My answer cannot be contained by this poll
5 (10.6%)

Comments

[owlectomy]

...Answer may be influenced by the fact that I went to a Secret Librarians of Fandom party at my first and only WorldCon.

[trouble]

I plan on hosting a histor-tea if I ever make it to Wiscon again.

[j00j]

I haven't really heard the term before it came up re the latest Worldcon, but I assume maybe it depends on context somewhat, much like BNF does?

[jesse_the_k]

Yeah, I first heard the term at WisCon 31, when I overheard a Concom member say, "Oh she's smoffing down at the bar."

Well I needed to know right away WTF "smoffing" was, and so. The answer was basically, "The way this person enjoys the con is to talk inside baseball about conrunning. With a drink."

One person's BNF is another's "Huh?"

(The SMOF list is offline right now, not surprisingly, since the core members have just learned what it's like to be pranked on Tumblr. The core posters have been online since USENET, and have helped organize several Worldcons. I subbed in hopes of talking access, but never raised a reply.)

[pantryslut]

I used to think it was one of those jokey fandom things. Either I was wrong or people started taking themselves way too seriously.

[sasha_feather]

I think it's jokey too. The problem is, some of the people on a SMOF mailing list are acting like dumb asses and making themselves seem like they take the name seriously. This is my opinion only.

[pantryslut]

Oh, I know precisely whereof you speak, believe me. Our opinion is mutual.

[19_crows]

That's about how I think of it but I'm sure there are people taking themselves too seriously in this area.

(I was just reminded that for in my senior yearbook, in 1972, I put my goal is "Become SMOF.")

[luinied]

I hadn't even heard the term until a few weeks ago, and at first I didn't think it would be something anyone would use in any sort of seriousness, but now I don't know what to think. (I do know to stick to cons like WisCon, though.)

[trouble]

First time meaning this week is the first time it came up. Not this post in particular.

[the_andy]

Ugh, hit the wrong button for the poll. I meant that my answer cannot be contained by the poll. Stupid phone.

Anyway, I've been aware of the term for over a decade and I believe it is significantly older than that. It's not 100% serious, but includes a lot of oldschool fans who have -influence-, so in that way it is a very real thing.

[littlebutfierce]

Yeah, this is kind of how I feel about it. I've been aware of the term for a long time, but always had the impression that anyone who was using it was doing it in kind of a sarcastic manner. I feel quite differently about people who refer to themselves as SMOFs & use that as an organizing principle (how are they judging who gets on that SMOFs mailing list???) -- I'd never been aware that people were using it to self-identify in a serious manner until that Tumblr popped up. Horrifying & yet so unsurprising.

[sasha_feather]

DW allows you to change your vote, if you like.

[the_andy]

So it does. Fixed now.

[tablesaw]

OED researchers have a citation from 1955 in glossary form, so probably in casual use before that:

Secret Masters of Fandom (SMOFs), people who consider themselves to be the real 'rulers' of fandom, making decisions by running fan politics. Actually, these poor fellows are suffering from delusions of grandeur. (Also, verb form: to smof.)

The original use seems to have been deeply ironic, but as it's being used by a lot of folks today, it's a claim prominence and dominance that uses the irony as a paper shield should anyone call them on doing so.

[chaila]

This is all new to me, including the term, but now I'm woooooowing over that Tumblr. D:

[sasha_feather]

Right??? I may do some link spamming because I'm having a hard time figuring out what exactly is going on. It does seem to be fallout from ReaderCon.

[dancesontrains]

I've heard it before in Doctor Who fandom, and I suppose there's overlap between there and these fuckers. IME only fools use the term seriously; I was supposed to be one because I ....helped compile links for the fandom newsletter on LiveJournal a few years back. It makes no sense to me either!

[bibliofile]

(Of course, I saw your later post and replied there, when it would have fit better here. D'oh!)

Adding....

[bibliofile]

I don't know anyone who calls themselves this completely seriously. And I've known people who have helped rescue worldcons (when they're "secret" mostly because they're also unsung, & the average worldcongoer has no idea that there was a problem much less someone who helped fix it).