Subculture
What does Furry mean?
A fandom of anthropomorphic animal characters: art, fursuit, convention, and a reputation the group knows too well.
Definition
Furry is a community, not a diagnosis. Some draw, some wear a fursuit, some only read. Media often reduces the scene to sex; the scene is larger — and also contains an adult branch, like almost every fandom. Therian and otherkin are neighbours with another cut (identity, not only mascot). The lexicon describes the name people use for themselves.
Origin
English furry, North American fandom of the 1980s–1990s.
History
From zines and Usenet to conventions and art Twitter.
How it emerged
The fandom needed an adjective that was not only cartoon.
Usage examples
Furry is not a species; it is a fandom.
The fursuit is a visible part, not the whole definition.
Translations
- pt furry
- en furry
- es furry
Synonyms
- furry fandom
- anthro
- fursuit
Related terms
Questions
What is furry?
The fandom of animal characters with human traits.
An orientation?
No. A subculture. Some mix it with erotic life; that is not the rule.
Same as therian?
No. Therian speaks of animal identity; furry speaks of fandom and character.