New this fall

[AdmundfortGeographer]

Ahhh okay, if that's what you mean by "genre." I've heard it in other places with people just meaning "genres I like" and it annoys me.

I've never heard anyone say something like, "Do you like genre fiction?", or "is that genre?", or "are you a fan of genre?" and not mean anything other than science fiction, fantasical, or horror. I hear it all the time.

I've never heard of a mystery fan refer to a mystery with just the single word, "genre", but instead as "the musical genre of ...". I've never heard romance fans refer to romances with just the single word, "genre", but instead as "the romance genre of ...". I've never heard fans of westerns refer to westerns with just the single word, "genre of ...", but instead as "the western genre of ...". I've never heard fans of musicals reger to musicals with just the single word, "genre", but instead as "the musical genre of ...".

Of course I know the definition of "genre" isn't limited to science fiction, fantastical, or horror. But the word "genre" has been practically adopted by fandoms of those genres to lump anything that hints at elements of those genres. Languages transform over time and with english fans of sci-fi, fantasical, and horror are co-opting the use of "genre" as I've described in the top paragraph, and giving it a different definition that doesn't nullify other uses.

I know, it bothered me to know end because my wife who particpates with countless "genre" fandoms would always refer to the stuff as just "genre". It bothered me for a while until she would send me links to authors', editors', and publishers' LiveJournal pages... all of these book publishing industry professionals were using the word "genre" to describe sci-fi-, fantastical, and horror. Now I just go with the flow. No use fighting it when the industry itself is adopting it... *shrug*

 

[Agamon]

Wait, wait, wait...you mean Alias, CSI, Night Stalker, Smallville and Prison Break are on the same day? Gah, even with TiVo and east/west region stations, this should prove difficult...especially with hockey back.