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A fan gets Jossed when the elaborate Epileptic Trees or Fanfic that they've lovingly built upon canonical elements is abruptly disproved by further canon or by the Word Of God. Some authors do this on purpose, after reading fan theories (even plausible, good ones) to make sure that the fans will be surprised at further developments they didn't think of, or just to stick it to their fans. Needless to say, some are now afraid to openly theorize in fear that the authors will notice and not use it even if it was similar to what they planned all along.

Named after Joss Whedon; Buffy The Vampire Slayer was notorious for this, as fans would come up with detailed and elaborate theories or plots during summer hiatuses, most of which got completely thrown out within three episodes of the new season.

May lead to discontinuity when disgruntled fen prefer their own fanon to official facts.

This trope has two opposites: I Knew It, where the fan theory is proven to be true by a twist that was planned all along, and Sure Why Not, where the author decides to promote some Fanon elements to Canon status. Compare Schrodingers Gun.

Note: In some circles, the term "Jossed" refers to a gutwrenching main character death, which Joss Whedon is also famous for. This definition entered the populace when during a Q&A session at an Australian university, a young Aussie girl noted his tendency to do horrible things to on screen couples, and to much laughter, said "We call it getting 'Jossed'".

It should be noted that "Jossed" does not mean "I disagree and here is evidence contrary to your theory." If someone claims that, in Star Trek II The Wrath Of Khan, Spock dies from Explosive Instrumentation during a Klingon attack, the fact that this turns out to be the Kobayashi Maru simulation does not only "Josses" the claim for fans who had based the theory on trailers, before the actual film was released. The term only rightly applies when new information discredits Fanon or Wild Mass Guessing.

Nothing to do with Joss Stone.
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