congoing

English

Etymology 1

Blend of convention +‎ going.

Noun

congoing (uncountable)

1. (fandom slang) The action or hobby of attending a convention.
   • 1959, Richard "Dick" Harris Eney, Fancyclopedia II‎^[1], Whitcon:

     The gathering (brainstormed by John Newman) that marked the postwar revival of congoing in England.

   • 1998 July 16, Andre Lieven, “Re: Why cons SHOULD NOT cost so much”, in alt.fandom.cons‎^[2] (Usenet), message-ID <6ol962$1t0@freenet-news.carleton.ca>:

     Over that time, the demographic of congoing has evolved, and many longer running cons have had to adapt.

   • 2005 December, Joseph T. Major, “The Fanivore”, in File 770‎^[3], number 146, page 25:

     The rest of it is very good and I wish I had had something of the sort available when I started congoing thirty years ago... ulp.

References

• Jesse Sheidlower, editor (2001–2024), “congoing n.”, in Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction.

Etymology 2

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Verb

congoing

1. Alternative form of congaing
   • 2001, Doodlebug, →ISBN, page 304:

     He screams, and they all join hands to hips and congo line around the cabin. As they are congoing, Moose puts his keys on a shelf that is located downstage left.

   • 2004, Cass Pennant, Rob Silvester, Rolling with the 6.57 Crew, →ISBN:

     If you can picture the scene: you've got people behind the bar breaking into where the spirits are, handing out free spirits and fags; you've got somebody else in the DJ bit handing out George Michael CDs to people, just pinging them around; you've got other people tipping the fruit machines, handing out 50p pieces left, right and centre; and the rest of them are all congoing and singing, jumping all over the cushions and chairs.