Stan

[ericadawn16]

Dear people who use the term "Stan",

I hate it. I'm not even positive some of you even know where it comes from...

THIS is where it comes from.

"Stan" by Eminem 2000

Stan is a fictional guy who becomes obsessed with Eminem and writes him letters. As with most celebrities, Eminem is unable to personally respond to them.Stan becomes increasingly upset which culminates in driving his car off a bridge which kills himself and his girlfriend who is pregnant with their child.

Stan was originally used to describe a fan so obsessed and crazy that THEY WOULD KILL OVER THEIR FANDOM!

When you call yourself a Stan, you're saying that you would commit real violence over your fandom.

When you call someone else a Stan, you're saying they're capable of domestic violence over their fandom.

The term "Stan" is NOT CUTE.

I hate its usage and prevalence unless you are referring to an actual name like Stan Lee. I was once called a Stan because I was defending Joss Whedon in a sexist argument but exactly how is a person promoting women's rights when they use a term belonging to a character who kills his girlfriend?

Comments

[invsagoth.livejournal.com]

I don't use that term, I've only seen it on ONTD on the rare occasion I check there. It was something that I kept meaning to look up, but that makes sense now! I remember that song! it makes even less sense now to see that term thrown around so much. :P

[dqbunny.livejournal.com]

I'll only accept being called a Stan if it's in reference to my late-grandfather (who was really, really cool. Apparently I get my interest in fandom from him. He was a huge fan of Mickey Mouse and Disney going all the way back to the 30s!)

[author-by-night.livejournal.com]

Wow, I don't think I've ever used the word but I've heard it, and had no idea where it originated from. O_o

[artic-fox.livejournal.com]

I think the word's meaning has evolved since its original usage. But that tends to happen on the internet, lol.

[ragnarok-08.livejournal.com]

I have never even heard that word before, and I can definitely see that not being cute X_X;

That sounds really scary.

[nesmith.livejournal.com]

I've seen it used most often to refer to the rabidly obsessed fans who stick up for even the most disgusting behavior perpetrated by their objects of obsession. Certainly never seen it used in any kind of positive way. :-\

[flyingpigs-live.livejournal.com]

I use it and I regret nothing. And yes, i already knew where it's from, but the meaning has evolved from it, as someone above said.

[ayaneva.livejournal.com]

I kind of thought everyone knew its origin. Its meaning has changed in the context of fandom so it no longer means what it meant in the song. Originally it was used in a derogatory way but that shifted to ironic usage and finally it lost the violent connotation entirely and just means, "really devoted fan." I use the term with this definition because it has no violent meaning anymore. Typically it seems to be a default category if the fandom has no other way to style its super devoted fans. I have no problem with it, tbh.

What?

[cassiopaya.livejournal.com]

People actually call themselves a Stan? And they're not from Stanstan?

[twhitesakura.livejournal.com]

I remember when that song came out, but I never connected it with the use of "stan" now. Since it doesn't have those connotations for me, it never bothered me, to be honest.

[develish1]

I've never used it, and I didn't actually know what it meant or where it came from till I read this.

now I do I certainly wont start using it