smof v.

to talk with fans about organizing conventions or related fan activity

Hence smoffing n.

Fancyclopedia


SF Fandom

  • 1968 Proper Boskonian (vol. 1 no. 3) Nov. 1 page image

    Smoffing is a way of life. [Ibid. 2] Much plotting and smoffing has been done in this period, involving the inviting of guests of honor and seconders for the bidding session, the making of arrangements with the St. Louiscon committee, [etc.].

  • 1971 N.Y. Times 6 Sept. 17/1

    Except for those who wanted to gafiat, the fen of science fiction fandom for whom fiawol descended on Boston this weekend for their annual worldcon to smof and to buy old fanzines.

  • 1987 G. Wolfe From House on Borderland in Horrorstruck Nov.β€”Dec. 20/2 Gene Wolfe

    From club meetings came meetings between clubs, at which members of the Outsiders might s.m.o.f. (this fan verb is derived from Secret Masters of Fandom and indicates the forging of fannish political deals) with Insiders, and at which everyone discussed favorite stories and story concepts far into the night.

  • 1989 Helmuth (#26) Friday ed. 1 page image

    We hope that fans will be available to talk about their fanzines or to SMOF.


Research requirements

antedating 1968

Earliest cite

Proper Boskonian

Research History
Jeff Prucher submitted a cite from a 1995 reprint of Gene Wolfe's essay "From a House on the Borderland", and later verified it in the 1987 first appearance in the magazine "Horrorstruck".
Bill Mullins submitted a cite from a report by Robert Reinhold in the New York Times (6 Sept 1971).
Leah Zeldes submitted a 1978 cite from "The Neo-Fan's Guide to Science Fiction Fandom"; Jesse Sheidlower confirmed that it was not in the 1955 original edition.

We would like cites of any date from other sources.

Last modified 2021-01-02 09:42:12
In the compilation of some entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries in OED.