woobie
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From the 1983 film Mr. Mom, in which it is a child's word for his security blanket.
Pronunciation[edit]
- Rhymes: -ʊbi
Noun[edit]
woobie (plural woobies)
- (US, childish) Any object, typically a blanket, garment or stuffed animal, that is used simply for its comforting characteristics; a security blanket.
- (US, intimate) Term of endearment.
- (fandom slang) A fictional character, often morally grey or a villain, subjected to constant stress and angst, so as to create pathos within the narrative and increase the reader/viewer's emotional attachment to them.
- 2006, Afşar Yegin, "Fan-Textual Television: Narrative Structure, Vituality And Fandon In Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Angel And Veronica Mars, thesis submitted to Istanbul Bilgi University, page 109:
- The conflicted portrayal of the character reaches its zenith during the sixth episode where Logan’s relationship with his abusive and morally despicable father solidifies his character into the woobie.
- 2018, Anna Blackwell, Shakespearean Celebrity in the Digital Age: Fan Cultures and Remediation[1], page 109:
- In some instances, this characterisation then becomes part of a hurt/comfort fan narrative where the pleasure at the woobie's pain is transmuted into relief at their eventual recovery.
- 2022, K. R. Moore, The Routledge Companion to the Reception of Ancient Greek and Roman Gender and Sexuality, unnumbered page:
- But the post also rejects Patroclus as woobie, drawing attention to his amorous complicity in Achilles's crimes.
- For more quotations using this term, see Citations:woobie.
- 2006, Afşar Yegin, "Fan-Textual Television: Narrative Structure, Vituality And Fandon In Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Angel And Veronica Mars, thesis submitted to Istanbul Bilgi University, page 109:
- (US, military slang) A poncho liner.
Derived terms[edit]
- (fandom slang): woobification, woobify
See also[edit]
- baby girl (male morally-ambiguous character romanticised by fans)
- Draco in Leather Pants (any morally-ambiguous character romanticised by fans)
- poor little meow meow (endearingly pathetic villain or morally-ambiguous character)