Faan

In 1953 neofan Richard Eney mentioned casually (in the course of describing life as a faan in the Army) that he carried in the pocket of his lab jacket a notebook in which he was collecting subjects for a revised Fancyclopedia. [...] in Minneapolis, Belfast, and the wilds of central Hokkaido diligent faaans began to set down their understanding of things fanatic ...

More evidence of how fans were becoming faans can be deduced from the activities. The first day consisted of playing records, listening to Liebscher play the piano, playing games, and talking until 4 a.m.

According to Colin Lester, editor of the International Science Fiction Yearbook, a fan, or to give him his full title, a "sercon fan", is serious and constructive, whereas a "faan" contributes chiefly his presence and a taste for signed copies. He did not say that this was actually destructive, though it may be, as in the case of one on Friday night who tried to pitch his tent in the lobby because it was raining outside.