SMOF

See also: smof

English

Alternative forms

• smof

Etymology

Abbreviation of Secret Master Of Fandom. Coined by American science fiction author Jack Chalker.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /smɒf/
• (US) enPR: smôf, IPA^(key): /smɔf/, /smɑf/
• Rhymes: -ɒf

Noun

SMOF (plural SMOFs)

1. (fandom slang) One influential in science fiction fandom; one who organises a convention, publishes a fanzine or performs a similar activity.
   • 1963, Hal Clement, Proceedings of Discon, page 162:

     He is also, in case he is willing... no, not in case he is willing; anyway, whether he likes it or not... an Honorary Member of SMOF.

   • 1978, Arthur Wilson "Bob" Tucker, The Neo-Fan's Guide to Science Fiction Fandom, page 10:

     Secret Masters of Fandom (SMOFs), people who consider themselves to be the real ‘rulers’ of fandom, making decisions by running fan politics. Actually, these poor fellows are suffering from delusions of grandeur. (Also, verb form: to smof.)

   • 1993 November 6, Jim Rittenhouse, “Re: Will some REAL fans please move to Chicago?”, in alt.fandom.cons‎^[1] (Usenet), message-ID <2bh88t$1ip@genesis.MCS.COM>:

     I know a lot of briefcase-carrying SMOF types that live to run cons.

   • 2003, J. M. Verba, Boldly Writing, page 27:

     Mary Manchester deserves special mention at this point. She appeared in few publications, yet she had such an influence on Star Trek fanzines that many considered her a SMOF, or Secret Master of Fandom.

   • 2014, Dariusz Jemielniak, “Appendix B: Glossary of Wikipedia Slang”, in Common Knowledge?, →ISBN, page 205:

     Cabal    Sometimes assumed to be a secretive organization responsible for the development of Wikipedia [...] The term is comparable to the use of the term SMOF in science fiction fandom.

Derived terms

• smof (verb)

References

• Jeff Prucher, editor (2007), “SMOF”, in Brave New Words: The Oxford Dictionary of Science Fiction, Oxford, Oxfordshire, New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 191.
• Jesse Sheidlower, editor (2001–2024), “SMOF n.”, in Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction.

Anagrams

• MOFs