So, what's the difference? I've always had the impression that Trekkies were the more casual fans. They just watch the shows and movies. And Trekkers are the serious fanatics that buy Trek stuff and post on Trek bulletin boards. If I called a huge Trek fan a Trekkie, would they be offended and correct me by stating that they were a Trekker, not a Trekkie (like in the movie Fanboys)? I wonder because I identify myself as a "nerd" but get offended if someone calls me a "geek". And am I spelling the terms right?
The words mean the exact same thing. These people just often prefer to be called Trekkers rather than Trekkies.
I've always preferred the sound of "Trekkie" to "Trekker." It's the one I've been exposed to most throughout my life.
Maybe some fans think “Trekkie” sounds a bit juvenile. To me, it doesn't sound any more childish than “groupie” or “foodie.” “Trekker” sounds like something from South African history. But frankly I find the subject Boer-ing.
I saw an interview once where Kate Mulgrew was explaining that "Trekkies" are the passive fans who watch and enjoy the show, and "Trekkers" are the agressive fans who own all the uniforms and are always asking her why they got so and so wrong in episode such and such .
In the days before the movies and the spinoff series, Trek fans were running out of things to argue about. "Trekkie vs. Trekker" kept us entertained for a while, but its day is passed. Fans in the new millennium have enough debate material to choke a Tellarite.
Trekkie is much older, but as far as I know, there's no real difference. And, yes, you're spelling them correctly.
This. I recently saw a interview on youtube of Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. The interviewer called Rush fans the "Trekkies of rock music" and both guys look completely abashed by the idea.
Trekkie, Trekker, Trekologist, Trekaholic... I prefer Trek fan. It may not be pretentious, but it is accurate. BTW I love your post, the 4th hanson bro! As I recall, I had never heard any term but Trekkie (usually a term of derision) until TNG came along. At that time I started hearing people refer to themselves as Trekkers. My secretary liked TNG, but thought the term Trekkie was for 'nut cases'; whereas she liked the term Trekker as being more 'dignified'. I am not sure I agree with her assessment back then, but she did say it.
I wanted to ask the same question about the difference between Trekkie and Trekker when I first joined this board. I'd just seen the two "Trekkies" documentaries and noticed that there had been some debate on this subject. I didn't ask because in the end I decided that the whole thing is beside the point. The point being that we all love Star Trek, we all make it a part of our lives and should all just enjoy it. It's not what you call yourself that matters, the important thing is that we have this wonderful thing called Star Trek that brings us together.
I don't care either way: Trekkie, Trekker. I think that some fans prefer Trekker because Trekkie has been used perjoratively by the unenlightened masses.