History Main / SciFi

Removing indexing

[[redirect:ScienceFiction]]

->'''Kim:''' I am so not into this sci-fi stuff.\\
'''Wade:''' Kim, don't call it sci-fi! That denigrates the genre, and it sickens me.
--> -- ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible''

'''Sci-Fi''' has the following meanings:

1. For the majority of the population, Sci-Fi is simply an abbreviation for ScienceFiction. It was coined for this use by Forrest J. Ackerman.

2. However, among many in science fiction [[FanDumb fandom]] (and a number of SF writers as well), Sci-Fi is (less than it once was) used as a derogatory term to indicate [[SturgeonsLaw low-quality]] or [[ClicheStorm cliche-ridden]] or [[Website/OverusedSciFiStorylines worn-out]] examples of the genre. Hence the early distaste in the fan community for the Sci-Fi Channel -- the perception was that no one who was ''really'' a science fiction fan would have given the channel that name, so it was likely being run by [[CorruptCorporateExecutive clueless suits blindly trying to exploit a niche]], even though Creator/IsaacAsimov and [[Franchise/StarTrek Gene Roddenberry]] were part of the channel's advisory board. For many, the jury is still out, although the channel has had some remarkable successes ([[SturgeonsLaw and numerous failures]]).

The Sci-Fi channel announced in March 2009 that they intend to [[XtremeKoolLetterz change their name]] to Creator/{{Syfy}}. [[UnfortunateImplications Unfortunate Implications]] ensue, unless the channel will really air more shows about sexually transmitted disease.

When used in this sense, Sci-Fi may be pronounced "sigh-fie," or may be pronounced "skiffy" and occasionally accompanied by a remark about the stuff sticking to the roof of one's mouth. (Explanation for non-Americans: there's a popular brand of peanut butter in the States called "Skippy." The advertising slogan "If it tastes like peanuts ... " has been parodied with the line, "If it tastes like cardboard, it's gotta be Skiffy!") "Skiffy" may be used as a derogatory term and when criticizing bad Sci-Fi channel decisions; even those who pronounce it "sigh-fie" often use the term "skiffy" in this context. It essentially dismisses an effort as being TheThemeParkVersion of [[SeriousBusiness "real" science-fiction]].

The term (and spelling) "skiffy" has also been adopted by those who feel the whole "Sci-Fi" vs. "Science Fiction" vs. "SpeculativeFiction" debate is silly, and many SF authors proudly proclaim themselves to be "Skiffy Writers". Creator/MikeResnick published a collection of stories about SF writers in AlternateHistory called ''Alternate Skiffy''.

Occasionally, some people still refer to "stf", an abbreviation of "scientifiction". (Pronounced "stef".) This may be because it inflects easily. ("Stfnal", "stfnic".)

For further details, see: http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sci-fi
----

For further details, see:
* http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sci-fi
* http://www.sfwa.org/misc/skiffy.htm

->'''Kim:''' ''I am so not into this sci-fi stuff.''\\
'''Wade:''' ''Kim, don't call it sci-fi! That denigrates the genre, and it sickens me.''

2. However, among many in science fiction [[FanDumb fandom]] (and a number of SF writers as well), Sci-Fi is (less than it once was) used as a derogatory term to indicate [[SturgeonsLaw low-quality]] or [[ClicheStorm cliche-ridden]] or [[OverusedSciFiStorylines worn-out]] examples of the genre. Hence the early distaste in the fan community for the Sci-Fi Channel -- the perception was that no one who was ''really'' a science fiction fan would have given the channel that name, so it was likely being run by [[CorruptCorporateExecutive clueless suits blindly trying to exploit a niche]], even though Creator/IsaacAsimov and [[Franchise/StarTrek Gene Roddenberry]] were part of the channel's advisory board. For many, the jury is still out, although the channel has had some remarkable successes ([[SturgeonsLaw and numerous failures]]).

2. However, among many in science fiction [[FanDumb fandom]] (and a number of SF writers as well), Sci-Fi is (less than it once was) used as a derogatory term to indicate [[SturgeonsLaw low-quality]] or [[ClicheStorm cliche-ridden]] or [[OverusedSciFiStorylines worn-out]] examples of the genre. Hence the early distaste in the fan community for the SciFiChannel -- the perception was that no one who was ''really'' a science fiction fan would have given the channel that name, so it was likely being run by [[CorruptCorporateExecutive clueless suits blindly trying to exploit a niche]], even though Creator/IsaacAsimov and [[Franchise/StarTrek Gene Roddenberry]] were part of the channel's advisory board. For many, the jury is still out, although the channel has had some remarkable successes ([[SturgeonsLaw and numerous failures]]).

The Sci-Fi channel announced in March 2009 that they intend to change their name to the "[[XtremeKoolLetterz SyFy]]" channel. [[UnfortunateImplications Unfortunate Implications]] ensue, unless the channel will really air more shows about sexually transmitted disease.

--> -- ''KimPossible''

When used in this sense, Sci-Fi may be spelled "sigh-fie," or may be pronounced "skiffy" and occasionally accompanied by a remark about the stuff sticking to the roof of one's mouth. (Explanation for non-Americans: there's a popular brand of peanut butter in the States called "Skippy." The advertising slogan "If it tastes like peanuts ... " has been parodied with the line, "If it tastes like cardboard, it's gotta be Skiffy!") "Skiffy" may be used as a derogatory term and when criticizing bad Sci-Fi channel decisions; even those who pronounce it "sigh-fie" often use the term "skiffy" in this context. It essentially dismisses an effort as being TheThemeParkVersion of [[SeriousBusiness "real" science-fiction]].

[[redirect:ScienceFiction]]

[[redirect:Sci-Fi]]