Fandom (from the noun fan and the affix -dom, as in kingdom, dukedom, etc.) is a term used to refer to a
subculture composed of
fans characterized by a feeling of sympathy and camaraderie with others who share a common interest. A fandom can grow up centered around any area of human interest or activity. The subject of fan interest can be narrowly defined, focused on something like an individual
celebrity; or wide, encompassing entire
hobbies,
genres or
fashions. Fandom as a term can also be used in a broad sense to refer to an interconnected
social network of individual fandoms, many of which overlap. While it is now used to apply to groups of people fascinated with any subject, the term has its roots in those with an enthusiastic appreciation for sports. The
Oxford English Dictionary traces the usage of the term back as far as 1903, with many of its documented references referring to sports fandom.
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