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Anorak (slang)
Encyclopedia
In British
slang
an anorak (icon) is a person who has a very strong interest, perhaps obsessive, in niche subjects. This interest may be unacknowledged or not understood by the general public. Although the term is often used synonymously with geek
or nerd
, the Japanese term otaku
or the American term "fanboy/fangirl" are probably closer synonyms.
newspaper, which used it as an alternative term for the prototype group interested in detailed trivia, the trainspotters, as members of this group often wore, by then very unfashionable, civilian versions of the USAF N-3B parka with fur-lined hood, which was often called an anorak
in the UK, when standing for hours on station platforms or along railroad tracks, noting down details of passing trains.
Civilian versions of the N-3B parka (commonly called snorkel parka, because the hood can be zipped right up leaving only a small tunnel/ snorkel for the wearer to look out of) were extremely popular among youths in the UK in the late 1970s to mid 1980s, and at many schools almost every boy had one. By the second half of the 1980s the parka had become unfashionable, but was still commonly worn among trainspotters, as it was practical for their hobby and as most of them were uninterested in being fashionable. This reinforced the usage of the term further, and it soon became derogatorily used for any group of (mostly) younger people uninterested in their outer appearance and engrossed in activities that other youths found boring, i.e. "geek
s" or "nerd
s".
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
slang
Slang
Slang is the use of informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's language or dialect but are considered more acceptable when used socially. Slang is often to be found in areas of the lexicon that refer to things considered taboo...
an anorak (icon) is a person who has a very strong interest, perhaps obsessive, in niche subjects. This interest may be unacknowledged or not understood by the general public. Although the term is often used synonymously with geek
Geek
The word geek is a slang term, with different meanings ranging from "a computer expert or enthusiast" to "a carnival performer who performs sensationally morbid or disgusting acts", with a general pejorative meaning of "a peculiar or otherwise dislikable person, esp[ecially] one who is perceived to...
or nerd
Nerd
Nerd is a derogatory slang term for an intelligent but socially awkward and obsessive person who spends time on unpopular or obscure pursuits, to the exclusion of more mainstream activities. Nerds are considered to be awkward, shy, and unattractive...
, the Japanese term otaku
Otaku
is a Japanese term used to refer to people with obsessive interests, particularly anime, manga or video games.- Etymology :Otaku is derived from a Japanese term for another's house or family , which is also used as an honorific second-person pronoun...
or the American term "fanboy/fangirl" are probably closer synonyms.
Origin
The most established explanation to the origin of the term, is that it was first used in 1984 by the ObserverThe Observer
The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
newspaper, which used it as an alternative term for the prototype group interested in detailed trivia, the trainspotters, as members of this group often wore, by then very unfashionable, civilian versions of the USAF N-3B parka with fur-lined hood, which was often called an anorak
Anorak
An anorak or parka is a type of heavy jacket with a hood, often lined with fur or fake fur, so as to protect the face from a combination of freezing temperatures and wind...
in the UK, when standing for hours on station platforms or along railroad tracks, noting down details of passing trains.
Civilian versions of the N-3B parka (commonly called snorkel parka, because the hood can be zipped right up leaving only a small tunnel/ snorkel for the wearer to look out of) were extremely popular among youths in the UK in the late 1970s to mid 1980s, and at many schools almost every boy had one. By the second half of the 1980s the parka had become unfashionable, but was still commonly worn among trainspotters, as it was practical for their hobby and as most of them were uninterested in being fashionable. This reinforced the usage of the term further, and it soon became derogatorily used for any group of (mostly) younger people uninterested in their outer appearance and engrossed in activities that other youths found boring, i.e. "geek
Geek
The word geek is a slang term, with different meanings ranging from "a computer expert or enthusiast" to "a carnival performer who performs sensationally morbid or disgusting acts", with a general pejorative meaning of "a peculiar or otherwise dislikable person, esp[ecially] one who is perceived to...
s" or "nerd
Nerd
Nerd is a derogatory slang term for an intelligent but socially awkward and obsessive person who spends time on unpopular or obscure pursuits, to the exclusion of more mainstream activities. Nerds are considered to be awkward, shy, and unattractive...
s".
Examples of usage
- Roy CropperRoy CropperRoyston "Roy" Cropper, is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor David Neilson, the character was introduced during the episode airing on 19 July 1995. Originally a secondary character, he was given a more prominent role in 1997, by the...
, a character from the popular British soap opera Coronation StreetCoronation StreetCoronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
, is a stereotypical portrayal of an "anorak." - Former British Prime MinisterPrime ministerA prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
John MajorJohn MajorSir John Major, is a British Conservative politician, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1990–1997...
, derided by many for perceived dullness, was described by Anthony SeldonAnthony SeldonDr. Anthony F. Seldon MA, PhD, FRSA, MBA, FRHistS is a political commentator best known as Tony Blair's biographer and the Master of Wellington College...
as an "obsessive political anorak." - MarillionMarillionMarillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
titled their 12th studio album AnoraknophobiaAnoraknophobiaAnoraknophobia is Marillion's 12th studio album, released in 2001. Following the success of their previous North American tour, underwritten by the band's fans themselves, Marillion turned to their fans to finance the making of Anoraknophobia, asking them to pre-order the album before it was even...
, referring to the long running in-joke that Marillion fans are sometimes called freaks or anoraks. The album cover, tour edition releases, and related press materials feature cartoon graphics of a boy wearing a rain parka, and holding a wire coat hanger by its hook. Inside the liner notes for the deluxe edition of the album, there is a photograph of each of the band members posed in a similar manner, and standing near a telephone box. It came from Canada.