Trekkies or Trekkers?

[Whill]

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?

 

[RegFan]

The words mean the exact same thing. These people just often prefer to be called Trekkers rather than Trekkies.

 

[CorporalClegg]

Trekkers are Trekkies with low self-esteem.


Or something like that.

 

[Archaeologist]

I've always preferred the sound of "Trekkie" to "Trekker." It's the one I've been exposed to most throughout my life.

 

[scotpens]

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.

 

[F. King Daniel]

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 .

 

[TheKeeper]

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.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

So, what's the difference?

And am I spelling the terms right?

Trekkie is much older, but as far as I know, there's no real difference. And, yes, you're spelling them correctly.

 

[RandyS]

Both terms were created by outsiders who wanted another excuse to put us down.

 

[CorporalClegg]

Both terms were created by outsiders who wanted another excuse to put us down.

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.

 

[the 4th hanson bro]

This has been around a while:

A Trekker wears a starfleet uniform to a convention because it's fun.
A Trekkie wears a starfleet uniform to a convention because s/he has heard that it is in style at the academy.

A Trekker has a Starfleet Academy window sticker on his car.
A Trekkie is cramming for the entrance exams.

A Trekker meets Marina Sirtis/Gates McFadden at a convention, tells her how pretty he thinks she is, that it is too bad she is married or he would ask her out.
A Trekkie meets Deanna Troi/Dr. Crusher at a convention, tells her how pretty he thinks she is, and asks her if she is still seeing Riker (Picard, some alien patient, et al).

A Trekker loves watching the show, nitpicking and discussing it with friends.
A Trekkie loves watching those documentaries filmed aboard the Enterprise.

A Trekker thinks Wil Wheaton was a lucky kid who got to play a kid on Star Trek.
A Trekkie thinks that Wesley Crusher was a lucky kid who got to sit on the bridge.

A Trekker thinks that it is a shame that the show is coming to an end.
A Trekkie thinks that it is a shame that the crew is being reassigned and the Enterprise is being decomissioned.

A Trekker knows that there are gaping holes in the technology, but ignores them and enjoys the show.
A Trekkie can't wait for the price to come down on those home food replicator units.

A Trekker buys pips for the rank s/he wants to be.
A Trekkie wonders why he is constantly passed over for promotion.

A Trekker tells his/her new girl/boyfriend that s/he really likes Star Trek.
A Trekkie's new girl/boyfriend is an underclassman at the academy.

A Trekker wonders what sex in zero g would be like.
A Trekkie wonders what sex would be like.

 

[Trekwatcher]

I always used the term Trekkie as a kid. Trekker just sounded pretentious.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Trekologist is the correct term.

 

[Sector 7]

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-Am-Zim]

I'm a Trekkie and damn proud of it thank you very much.

 

[number6]

I am a Trekkist.

 

[scotpens]

Trekologist is the correct term.

Personally, I prefer to be known as a Trekophile.

 

[Alienesse]

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.

 

[Trek_princess]

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.

 

[Alienesse]

Maybe the unenlightened masses should shove it...