Quick answer: anti-fan (context-dependent) — anti-fan: person who dislikes a work, character, or person yet still follows it to mock. Meanwhile, retconning (context-dependent) — retconning: rewriting past events to match a new storyline.
1. anti-fan ↗
Category: Fandom
Register: context-dependent
Regions: Online
anti-fan: person who dislikes a work, character, or person yet still follows it to mock.
When it fits: Choose this wording when the meaning above fits what you intend to say. Give the reader enough surrounding context to follow the example; if clarity matters more than the shorthand, use the plain-English wording instead.
When to avoid: Avoid assuming that a label reveals somebody’s motives or private behavior. If you are unsure how your words will be understood, explain the situation directly and ask a clarifying question rather than relying on the expression alone.
“The anti-fan kept posting sarcastic memes about the new fantasy series during the fan convention's live chat.”
In plain English: The person who dislikes a work, character, or person yet still follows it to mock kept posting sarcastic memes about the new fantasy series during the fan convention's live chat.
2. retconning ↗
Category: Fandom
Register: context-dependent
Regions: Online
retconning: rewriting past events to match a new storyline.
When it fits: Choose this wording when the meaning above fits what you intend to say. Give the reader enough surrounding context to follow the example; if clarity matters more than the shorthand, use the plain-English wording instead.
When to avoid: Avoid assuming that a label reveals somebody’s motives or private behavior. If you are unsure how your words will be understood, explain the situation directly and ask a clarifying question rather than relying on the expression alone.
“Fans think the series is retconning after the latest episode introduced a secret twin for the protagonist.”
In plain English: Fans think the series is rewriting past events to match a new storyline after the latest episode introduced a secret twin for the protagonist.
Test both expressions in context
Quiz yourself on anti-fan & retconning ↗ Browse all slang comparisons →