Trekkers or Trekkies?

****

I sure hope you're citing those to prove my point.
Otherwise. . .

+++++++

Actually, I was.

Personally, I have no preference nor objection to either. Those and most other common nicknames mentioned on this thread (not too sure about ones like 'Blobbie', though) have their place. I've seldom found myself in discussion where I've 'had' to use many of them except for shorthand purposes.

On those even more rare occasions where I've seen someone become disgruntled over being called 'term A' as opposed to 'term B' (especially in the case of 'Trekkie/er'), it just looks.... sad. Almost as if reinforcing the negative stereotypes that may be associated with the 'offending' term. Whether you call yourself 'Trekkie' or 'Trekker', embrace yourself in the love of your hobby and fellow like-minded fans rather than obsess over which term you think makes you look like a bigger nerd to the masses. The debate over those terms between Trek fans is as productive as two car enthusiasts getting into yet another heated 'Ford vs Chevy' arguement. And about as fun to witness.

I've been called Michael, Mickie, Mike, MJ, Cass, Cassie, 'Hey you', etc. The only times I've taken any 'offense' to any of these or other more colorful variations has been those times (usually when I could 'hear' the tone of the person doing so) who have chosen to use them in a way that is clearly antagonistic, disparaging or assuming a false sense of familiarity.

In my formative years of reading comics, the nicknames seemed to run rampant in the letter columns. Bats, Supes, Spidey, Shellhead, Reddy, etc. At the time, it seemed as if the creators encouraged the readers to use these names as terms of endearment or familiarity. It was part of the interaction (as limited as it was) that existed in those days. It never occured to me to give every hero or villain such a nickname, nor did it seem (especially with the endorsement of creative talent) 'out of line' to use such shorthand.

That type of creator encouragement, the familiarity... to me, (at the time eight, nine years old, an entry level comics reader)... it made the experience inviting. Fun. There wasn't an apparent agenda to the nicknames. I wasn't a frequent user of those names, but I didn't see them as condescending.

Your mileage may vary. {shrug}

"Supes"? "Spidey"? Nope. No magic there at all.

  My co-workers don't understand. I told them of this discussion yesterday and all they did was laugh and say "Get a life". I asked them why and they returned with "GEEK!!". I then stated that I recall them loving the movie and they shot back with "Yea, but I'm not arguing on a message board everyday on whether its disrespectful to call Spider-man, 'Spidey'. Its a comic book, Jim!! GEEK!!"

Any ideas on what I should say back to them?