basicstud%oak.DECnet@PINE.CIRCA.UFL.EDU ("OAK::BASICSTUD") (12/27/87)
If I remember correctly, it was a Science Fiction publish who first coined the term Sci-Fi, which was a play on the popular term Hi-Fi that was used "way back then" instead of the word stereo... In itself, it is pretty inoffensive. I think the problem with the term is that a lot of people, especially non-SF fans, have a tendacy to put science fiction and fantasy, along with other strange writings, into the genere of Sci- Fi, even though they are different types of fictions. I personally prefer the term SF, simply because it is a more direct, shorter abbreviation of Science Fiction. It also does help make it clearer to someone that the book I am telling them about does not fall into the "Battle Star Galactica Adventure #23" catagorey... ------
smith@COS.COM (Steve Smith) (12/29/87)
In article <8712270213.AA12871@bu-cs.bu.edu> "OAK::BASICSTUD" <basicstud%oak.decnet%pine.circa.ufl.edu@bu-it.BU.EDU> writes: > > If I remember correctly, it was a Science Fiction publish who first coined >the term Sci-Fi, which was a play on the popular term Hi-Fi that was used "way >back then" instead of the word stereo... As I understand it, the term "sci-fi" was coined in a _TV Guide_ article by Forrest J. Ackerman (_Fangoria_, _Famous Monsters_). Personally, I find the term to be mildly offensive, but not worth getting upset over. I know some people who foam at the mouth at it. It provides a useful example of something that *some* people get bent out of shape over, where most people couldn't care less. How much effort do you think that it's worth to avoid offending the "sci-fi" haters? Think about it occasionally, when otherwise intellegent people just *won't* see why your own cause is so important ... -- __ -- Steve / / \ / "Truth is stranger than S. G. Smith I \ O | _ O \ I fiction because fiction smith@cos.com / \__/ / has to make sense."
alexande@drivax.UUCP (Mark Alexander) (01/06/88)
"Sci-fi ["skiffy"]: it sticks to the roof of your mind."
--Joe Haldeman
--
Mark Alexander ...{hplabs,seismo,sun,ihnp4}!amdahl!drivax!alexande
"Bob-ism: the Faith that changes to meet YOUR needs." -- Bob