Trekkie Or Trekker - Which Star Trek Fan Name Do You Prefer?
Call Me A Trekkie Or Trekker, I Don't Mind Either, I Just Love Star Trek, But Some Fans Do Prefer One Name Over The Other
Star Trek gave to the pop culture world the grand Starship - USS Enterprise 1701. It also gave us Captain Kirk, Spock, Bones, Captain Picard, Data, Worf and a host of other great characters from Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager and ST: Enterprise. Creator Gene Roddenberry's sci-fi saga also gifted science fiction fans with two main nicknames - Trekkie or Trekker.
Which fan nickname do you prefer? Or maybe you simply have no preference
I am perfectly at ease with both fond, fan names, and I truly like both. And if I'm called one or the other, I'm fine with being either a trekkie or a trekker. Some fans can be offended by misnaming them. Let's talk about it.
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While I have never been militant over the terms, my preference is for ‘Trekker’, which seems more grammatically appropriate. When I see people jogging outside, I would refer to them not as joggies, but as joggers.
In the UK in the 1990s when I first started hanging out with other Star Trek fans, it was always 'Trekkie'. I don't think I've ever met a self-confessed 'Trekker' although via Usenet I recognised that this was in common currency in the US. It does make me wonder about the national split between these two terms! Also: there might be a generational split here.
I note that in 1970, the fanzine Deck 6 had this paragraph:
"If you object to opinions expressed or statements made in DECK 6, please don’t blame the 'Deck 6 gang.' With the exception of issue #1 (which was written by Ellen), I’m responsible. Any contributions by the rest of the gang will be so labeled, so if you’re planning to hit anyone, better aim at me. The gang is a definite help, though—they keep my spirits up, and beat me down when I start acting like a bubble-headed trekkie (rather than a sober, dignified—albeit enthusiastic—trekker)."
This suggests to me that 'trekker' was an attempt to push against the negative connotations of 'trekkie'. But for me, 'trekkie' never had any negative connotations! I'd never use 'trekker' to describe myself, but I don't think I'd be offended by the label. I just don't use it, because it was never spoken around me.
All the best,
Chris.