Pocket protector wearers only, is it Trekker or Trekkie?

Question

just curious.

Answer 1

I don't wear a pocket protector, but here is my observation on this truly delightful pointless question. The people I have known who identify themselves as "Trekkies" have a grin from ear to ear, are overly enthusiatsic, and have a bounce in their step (perhaps caused by their colorful pants riding a little too high). Those who call themselves "Trekkers" seem to be more reserved and deathly serious about it all. I tend to think of it in terms of "Trekkies" know they are nerds and love it. "Trekkers" either have no idea they are nerds, are in complete denial, or suspect it and are ready to use every bit of their enormous intelligents to argue that it just ain't so. I claim to be neither, but there was a time in my youth I would have given anything to go to a Star Trek convention. I remember once as a child, long before there was anything but the original series, arguing with an aunt who thought Star Trek was just stupid sci-fi. She had caught me looking at my original Star Trek "Enterprise" blueprints and scolded me for wasting my time on such nonsense. I gleefully pointed out to her that I had read an article where some colleges were offering courses based on Star Trek. She completely deflated me by responding "Oh, colleges will offer courses in anything". This came as a shock to my system at the time for I was young enough to consider anyone who went to college to be on a higher plain. Of course that was years ago and I have sense learned much about real life. Sometimes I long for that simpler innocence of youth. Truth is there is probably a "Trekkie" somewhere deep inside of me fighting to get out. (OK probably not "fighting" to get out, but they are holding their hand up in a very insisting manner!) But alas, my pocket protectors are hidden deep in an unused drawer and my vinyl "Switched on Bach" albums have long since been sold at garage sales. Dxmn your pointless question! You have made me reexamine my whole empty life. You are like the Borg calling me to rejoin the body. I should have seen this coming and had my deflector shields up.

Answer 2

Either.

Trekker is the term they prefer. Trekkie is the more derogatory word.Trekkie was always the more popular term in the media in general but Trekker was preferred by fans until recently when Trekkie has become mostly acceptable.

The term "Trekkie" is sometimes considered derogatory, perhaps because of a perceived parallel to the term "groupie". Some Star Trek enthusiasts prefer the term "Trekker", while some others hold the latter term to be stupid or pretentious, and, for that reason, self-identify as "Trekkies". Some Trekkies even hold that a "Trekker" is a "Trekkie" who is embarrassed of being a "Trekkie". On the other hand, "Trekker" is sometimes used as a term for the kind of Star Trek fan who is obsessed with the minutiae and the fine details. A Trekkie was considered to be someone stupid and embarrassing to intelligent and serious fans known as Trekkers.

Answer 3

It depends on how old you are. When I was a young man the term was trekkie. However, somewhere along the line the term Trekkie became synonymous with "never touch a booby" so they needed to rechristen themselves trekkers, like that would make them cool. Really, however, it is a distinction without a difference.

Answer 4

One who is deeply into the show and, basically, lives as Star Trek, is a Trekkie

One who enjoys the show, but doesn't go berserk over it is a Trekker.

Answer 5

I'm not a hard-core nerd but everyone knows it's "Trekkie" HELLLOOOOOO!!!!