English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

de- +‎ gafiate

Pronunciation edit

  • (Noun): IPA(key): /diːˈɡæfiˌɪt/
  • (Verb): IPA(key): /diːˈɡæfiˌeɪt/

Noun edit

degafiate (plural degafiates)

  1. (fandom slang) A science fiction fan who has returned to active fandom after a period of inactivity.
    • 2005 February 17, Arnie Katz, “Outstanding Retread”, in Vegas Fandom Weekly[1], volume 2, number 11 (whole number #65), page 5:
      He doesn’t qualify as a new fan or an ‘05 import, but it would be unfair to salute achievements without recognizing his tremendous contributions.
      So here’s to the Dauntless Degafiate — James Taylor!
    • 2006 April, John Purcell, “Fanzine Reviews”, in In a Prior Lifetime[2], number 10, page 10:
      One of the unexpected benefits of what I call cyberfanac is the return of many old time fans to the realm of fanzine publishing. [...] One of the finest fanzines being produced right now comes from one such degafiate, David Burton.

Verb edit

degafiate (third-person singular simple present degafiates, present participle degafiating, simple past and past participle degafiated)

  1. (fandom slang) To return to fandom and active participation in fandom community activities after having previously left fandom for a period of time.
    • 1975, James Gunn, Alternate Worlds, page 182:
      Degafiate—To resume fanac after gafiation.
    • 1985, David Langford, “Seventh Bit: Yes! We Have Parakeet Diapers!”, in The TransAtlantic Hearing Aid[3]:
      Harry Bell [...], Jim, Dan Steffan, Steve Stiles and Alexis were indulging in sinister smoffery, promoting a Cartoonists' Popular Front to push Grant Canfield for TAFF in 1983. "What we have to do first is degafiate him," I thought I overheard.
    • 1995 March 7, Ahasuerus the Wandering Jew, “Re: Burned out on SF -- Is there hope?”, in rec.arts.sf.written[4] (Usenet), message-ID <3jg8ec$4i3@clarknet.clark.net>:
      SF readers have been known to gafiate (=Get Away From It All) after college (give or take 4-5 years) since the 30's... only to degafiate a few years later in many cases.
    • 1998 June, William Breiding, “Ghosts of Issues Past...”, in Mimosa[5], number 22:
      I think Bill Mallardi definitely ought to degafiate. His piece on Joni Stopa was fabulous [...] and if there is any reality to the fandom-as-family thing, Bill got pretty close to proving it with this fine appreciation-cum-memoir.