The New Furry's Dictionary

by Simo

This document is an attempt to catalog the slang and terminology used within the Furry fandom. The Furry community is a particularly loose association and informally organized collection of adherents sharing an interest in anthropomorphic characters in art, literature, cinema, theatre, and TV shows. There is no "Furry, Inc." to collect references and resumes from applicants to whom it issues memberships, and to which dues are paid. There is no "Central Committee" that sits in judgement of what "is-Furry" and what is "not-Furry"; who's "in" and who's "out". Nor would such a thing even be possible. Even pinning down an exact definition would be difficult. Ask twelve different Furries what "Furry" means to them, and you're likely to get a dozen definitions. Being more a meta-genre than a distinct genre, there is considerable overlap between genres and fandoms. The story that features characters exhibiting human/animal combinations or animal heroes may easily also be classed as sci-fi, sword-and-sorcerer fantasy, a who-done-it -- anything other than a biography or history, since such characters are, as of now, purely fictional. We also see this in the form of Anime "cat-girls". Indeed, this is the stuff of recriminations, inter-fandom rivalries, on-line flame wars, and some quite nasty name-calling.

Nonetheless, there is a commonality of shared interests, values, and experiences. Furry-dom has its own constellation of heroes, villains, epic folktales, traditions and taboos. Furries, as a group, are particularly creative. Indeed, the outsider could easily be lead to believe that he won't be welcome if he does not draw or paint. Of course, this isn't true, as artists and writers need an audience to view, review, and critique their work.

Furry fandom largely produces the objects of its interest from within. The Trekkies, Lovecrafters, Anime folks, Star Wars devotees, B-5ers, etc. largely are not involved in the creative process of that which drives their particular fandoms. Furry is very much a " DIY " fandom. Herein lies yet another source of contention. There are those who will contend that Furry can not be a "true" fandom due to its participatory nature.

Furries, being somewhat unconventional, and defining themselves by values and manners that stand apart from the community at large, also have a language all their own. It is an inescapable fact of life: to be a Furry is to be seen as a "weirdo" for one's devotion to what the public-at-large has been trained for the past 45 years to see as "kids' stuff". You can complain all you want that cartoons were originally intended as adult fare, including biting social and political commentary (a tradition preserved only by Bullwinkle and Rocky) and/or implied adult situations and double-entendres (preserved mainly by The Simpsons and the Powerpuff Girls). It won't do any good, and there will be those who will wonder why the fandom affiliate is still showing interest in that which he was suppose to have "out-grown" by the age of twelve. To be sure, Furry has indeed drawn its inspiration from the child's bookshelf and toy box. Understandable once you realize who the first Furries were: the UNIX Hackers. These were the folks who were building operating systems (MINIX, MULTIX, UNIX) to replace system operators. Often with assemblers, and even by flipping switches to set each and every bit by hand. On the side, they were also creating the ARPANET, which would one day become the Internet and WWW. Dealing with this sort of brain-fry every day, it's quite understandable that they would turn to something quite light for entertainment.

"Furry-speak" serves the purpose of cohesion. It allows Furries to identify themselves within the larger community (e.g. vanity license plates reading "YIFFY" are common -- only another Furry would recognize that as a word, and know what it means). Furthermore, not knowing the slang, or mis-using it, obviously marks one as an outsider, a "mundane", or even worse, a poseur or "wannabe". As with any other community, the slang serves as a means of communication, complete with its own nuances, that more accurately relay ideas, it serves as a means of inclusion, and of exclusion.

anime n.

Japanese animation. Frequently features anthropomorphic characters and "adult" situations. A genre of overlapping interest.

anthro n.

An anthropomorphic character

anthropomorphic adj.

1. Possessing human characteristics. These include the physical as human/animal hybrids (i.e. Centaurs, the Sphinx) and/or possessing qualities such as intelligence and/or human-like emotions and reactions to various scenarios (i.e. Lassie, Rin-Tin-Tin, Flicka, etc.)

2. The center of interest of Furry fandom

avie n.

A bird or bird-like character (e.g. gryphon)

avatar n.

1. See: fursona

2. An icon often used as a signature for on-line forums and message boards.

Burned Fur n. (Proper name) adj.

1. A defunct movement whose stated purpose was to "clean up" the fandom by eliminating those they perceived to be sexual deviants and "perverts".

2. An affiliate who has a reputation for being excessively judgemental.

con n.

Short for "convention": a formal and organized meeting of Furries frequently held at hotels catering to the convention business.

confurt v.

To bring an outsider into the fandom.

confuzzle v.

To confuse; to be confused.

explicit adj.

Describes one who has a formal affiliation with the fandom.

fan-fic n.

Furry-related writing produced by insiders, for insiders.

fan-pic n.

Artwork produced from within the furry fandom. (Note: Unlike most fandoms, furry fandom largely produces its own artwork from within the fandom itself.)

fan-zine n.

A magazine or comic book written with deliberate furry content.

feathery n.

See: avie

Freezing Furs n. (Proper name)

A tolerance movement within the fandom whose intent was to counter the Burned Furs (q.v.)

Note: originally known as "Frozen Furs", but had to change the name, as there was already another group using that name.

frozen fur n.

A fandom affiliate whose primary/only interest in the fandom is yiffy content.

funny animal n.

A cartoon character, usually of mainstream origin or drawn in the same style.

fur n.

1. One who has made a formal affiliation with Furry fandom.

2. An anthropomorphic character.

3. That which covers the exteriors of most mammals and fursuits (q.v.).

furcode n.

A series of letters, numbers, and symbols that concisely sums up personal information and describes the level of one's participation within the fandom. Based on the "Geek Code" from the Usenet days.

furfan n.

See: fur

furfen n. (obsolete)

Plural of "furfan"

fur-inclined adj.

A fandom outsider who shares at least one interest in common with that of the fandom. A suspected implicit furry.

furitan n.

1. A Furry fan who is not interested in any sexual content.

2. One who actively opposes sexual content. (See Burned Fur)

furmeet n.

A local gathering of fans, less formal and organized than a con.

furotica n.

Anthro-art that includes an element of sexuality. (q.v. yiff, spooge)

furpile n.

Gathering of fully costumed participants who roll around on the floor with each other, skritching and licking one another.

Note: The Furry equivalent of a mundane "Cuddle Party".

furrfu excl.

Written only dismissive response to silly postings on forums, Usenet, etc. Seldom used in spoken conservation.

Origin: UNIX Hacker subculture. "sheesh" processed thru the Rot13 algorithm included with the UNIX text editor: vi.

furrie (var, furry) n., adj.

See fur.



furry fandom (var. furry-dom var. furry) n.

An informal fandom and meta-genre emphasizing an interest in anthropomorphic characters in art, literature, cinema, theatre, television shows, animation, or stories that feature animal heroes.

fursecution n.

A semi-serious term used to describe the ignorant speculations of outsiders, and the resulting PR problems thereby caused.

fursona n.

1. An animal/anthro character as an alter-ego

2. Animal/anthro character with which a strong identification is made.

3. An on-line role-play character.

fursuit n.

A full animal/anthro character costume. Usually covered with faux fur (hence the term), but not always.

Note: The use of real fur, unless of vintage origin, is considered bad form.

fursuit sex n., v.

Having sex with at least one partner dressed in full costume. May or may not involve a fandom affiliation.

furvert n.

1. Sexual attraction to mascots in non-Furry contexts

2. Sexual deviant whose indiscretions cause the fandom public-relations problems

3. A mild insult used among fandom insiders.

graymuzzle n.

An older furry fan.

Note: Sometimes the cut-off age for this classification is considered to be 30.

hyooman n.

Dismissive term for "human"

implicit adj.

A non-fan who shares considerable commonality of interests with the fandom. The non-affiliation most often is due to the fact that the implicit furry is not yet aware of the existence of the fandom.

kitsune n.

Mythical oriental fox-like characters said to possess unusual magical powers. These include: shape-shifting -- can appear human with irresistible sex-appeal, creation of "foxfire": an apparently electrostatic phenomenon used either for defense, or to create "fox lanterns" (balls of glowing plasma used to light their way at night. Note: suspect modern embellishment here: this information seems too specific). A favorite basis for fursonas.

lifestyler n.

1. Fandom affiliate whose interest extends to the creation of Furry art forms. (Obsolete)

2. One whose involvement in the fandom borders on the obsessive/compulsive.

morph n.

See: anthro

mundane n.

A fandom outsider.

Note: also used as a modifier, as in "...in my mundane life..." A term freely borrowed from the UNIX Hacker sub-culture.

murr adj.

Term indicating pleased in on-line communications. Anglicized form of fox vocalization meaning the same thing.

netfur n.

A fandom affiliate whose involvement with the fandom is mainly or only through the Internet

otherkin n.

1. Broad classification that includes elves, fae (fairies), witches, were's, angelics, vampyres. Apropos to furry: belief in animal/human amalgamations on spiritual level (therianthropes, were's)

2. A parallel fandom that shares common interests with Furry.

paw off v.

The act of masturbation.

phantom n.

The feeling of possessing some physical feature that one does not really have. Common among these are: wings, tails, canine/feline-type ears, muzzles.

plushie n.

1. An industry term to describe an animal doll covered with soft faux fur (plush), and Dacron-stuffed so as to retain its shape and softness.

2. Any stuffed animal.

plush-o-phile n.

1. One who has a sexual fetish directed at plushies. May or may not involve a fandom affiliation.

2. Anime fan with a fetish for dakimakura (i.e. "hugging pillows").

RL acro.

Acronym that stands for: Real Life.

scat n.

A sub-genre featuring the depiction of anthropomorphic characters in the act of defecation.

scaly n.

A reptilian character/fursona. (q.v.)

skritch v.

1. To affectionately scratch a pet, or a fursuit character.

2. Affectionate pseudo-grooming among fandom insiders.

skunk-fucker n.

1. A Furry. A highly uncomplimentary term usually used by insiders of rival fandoms. Major offenders: Anime fans. Rarely used by the outsiders of other fandoms.

2. A zoophile.

spoo (adj. OR n.)

It can mean anything: replacing any noun or verb.

1. An expression of excitement.

2. Slang for the word "poo."

spooge n.

1. Seminal fluid/semen

2. Art created with pornographic intent.

spoogy adj.

Describes art drawn with deliberate pornographic intent.

squick v.

To do/wear/say something unexpected with the intention of perplexing outsiders by advertising in an obvious manner one's affiliation with Furry fandom.

subfurtion n.

1. Deliberate misrepresentation of the interests and/or membership of the fandom to further a hidden agenda.

2. Deliberate misrepresentation to damage reputation of the fandom.

tailraiser n.

A male homosexual.

therianthrope (var, therian) n.

Amalgamation of animal/human souls that gives the therianthrope "animal energy".

'toon n.

1. A cartoon character, either mainstream or drawn in the same style

2. A funny animal.

type-fuck v.

A sexually explicit form of on-line role playing.

VCL n. (Proper Name)

Large on-line gallery of furry art/fan-fic. Used to stand for: Velan Central Library; now has no particular meaning.

were n.

From werewolf. A parallel fandom which emphasizes the animal nature of its characters, and/or the spiritual connection with some animal (not necessarily wolves).

yarf excl.

Anglicized form of fox vocalization indicating excitement.

Yerf n. (Proper name)

Anglicized form of fox vocalization.

1. An on-going archive of furry art without sexual content. Originated as the "Squeaky Clean Furry Archive" (1996) renamed in 1998

2. Web site of the same name.

3. Term used to indicate excitement in on-line communications.

yerfday n.

The anniversary of one's birth.

yiff n.

1. Sex: real life and virtual.

2. Artwork depicting sexed-up anthro characters without pornographic intent.

yiff v.

The act of having sex, either in real life, or on-line in a role-play context.

yiffy adj.

1. Sexy: used to describe the attribute of either an anthropomorphic character, or the real-life attribute of a fellow fandom affiliate.

2. Sexed-up anthro character: may or may not have pornographic intent. Includes "mainstream" characters (e.g. Pepe Le Pew, Gadget Hackwrench) as well as fan-pics.

'zine n. (var. fan-zine)

See fan-zine



zoot n. (obsolete)

See: fursuit

Origin: Taken from the Hispanic "zoot suiters" of the 1940s-era Los Angeles area.

*NIX n., adj.

1. UNIX or UNIX-like operating system

2. The UNIX Hacker subculture from which furry fandom originated.