Furry

2023-11-26T19:10:27Z

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:''This article is about the term. For other uses, see [[Furry (disambiguation)]].''
[[File:Furry2.jpg|Right|thumb|[[Sequential Art|Scarlet]] ponders the eternal question (© PMJ)]]
The word '''furry''' (''adj'', '''f'eree'''{{cn}}, Spanish: '''furro'''), has several meanings, dependent on the context in which it is used. Predominantly, it means "consisting of or resembling fur".<ref>[[W:Furry|furry]] on [[Wikipedia]]</ref> It also pertains to an interest in [[Anthropomorphic|anthropomorphic animals]] and mythological or imaginary creatures which possess [[human]] or superhuman capabilities.

The plural form of furry in all its contexts is '''furs''' or '''furries'''; the subjects of furry interest are also known as furries. Because [[:Category:People|people]] in the [[fandom ]]tend to identify closely with their [[avatar]]s (or [[fursona]]s), the word is often used to mean a group of furry [[character]]s in [[furry art|art]] or [[roleplay]].

== What it means to ''be'' furry ==
[[File:Proud furry huge.png|right|160px]]
Someone who says they are furry is generally expressing an interest in anthropomorphic animals and/or creatures (and perhaps some affiliation to [[furry fandom]]). They may say that interest in a variety of ways - through art and stories roleplay and performance. How deep or meaningful interest in Furry is varied greatly from person to person.

== Furry's gamut of interests ==
[[File:Autumn 012.jpg|150px|thumb|right|[[Autumn Vixen]] poses in fursuit.]]
Below is a list of common interests with which a fur is likely to identify. A furry may be interested in any or all of them, to any degree.

* '''Cartoons and games''' - Interest in anthropomorphic animals and/or creatures can be as simple as the many popular furry cartoon characters, known as [[funny animal]]s. These may include [[Bugs Bunny]], [[Tony the Tiger]], [[Sly Cooper]], [[Star Fox]], etc. However, someone who merely happens to like these characters is not necessarily a furry; the degree and nature of one's interest are relevant here.
* '''Spirituality''' - Some furs believe they have a spiritual connection to a particular animal which is typically their [[fursona]], but also may be a [[totem]]. Strong spiritual believers may often say that they are "an animal in a human body" (and in fact may identify themselves as [[otherkin]], [[were]]s and/or [[therian]]s which are their own categories and not linked to the furry fandom just by interest). Some join and find the furry fandom to be a place to be themselves, as most of these groups are underground and the furry fandom is more open to the world. However, not all therians have their [[theriotype]] as their fursona.
* '''Art and creativity''' - Some furs may be interested only in the creative aspects of the furry fandom. Furry content, both online and off, is easy to obtain, and available in vast amounts, and furs produce new works regularly. Furry artwork is also done by many non-furries in targeting the fandom. Others may disassociate themselves from the fandom and refer to themselves as funny animal artists. Furries may also enjoy [[role-playing]] a particular furry character or fursona, sometimes writing about this character or recording their online interactions for posterity.
* '''Fursuiting''' - Some furries enjoy the practice of dressing up in a costume that is typically designed after a fursona.<ref>{{newslink|UC Davis posts furry survey results}}</ref> These "[[fursuits]]" are usually worn at [[conventions]], and a few are even designed to accommodate sexual situations. Some furries opt to wear a "partial" suit, consisting of a head, tail, and paws, instead of a full fursuit; others may just wear a tail or various other pieces. While only a minority (about 15-20%) consider themselves fursuiters, they tend to be highly visible at events where many furries are present.<ref>According to the [[Furry Survey]] at [http://www.klisoura.com/ot_furrysurvey.php], about 16% of respondents (1242 out of 7760) describe themselves as fursuiters. In addition, during the three-year period ending September 2009, there were 20 conventions that had an attendance of at least 500 and a fursuit parade count. Of those, the percentage of attendees who participated in the fursuit parade ranged from 12.4 to 21.5, with most falling between 14 and 18.</ref>
* '''Sexuality''' - To some furs, the sexual [[Xenophilia|attraction]] to anthropomorphic animals is part of what makes them furry. This is a topic of much controversy, as it has been the subject of early media attention (such as that from [[Wired|Wired Magazine]] and [[Vanity Fair]]), leading to its becoming a common [[stereotype]] of the furry community at large. This has spawned a few groups in response (such as the [[Burned Furs]]) with a desire to discourage this angle or create a clear distinction between these furries and the rest of the community.

== Other contexts of Furry ==

From within the fandom, anything classified as an anthropomorphic animal and/or creature could be called a furry. That could be anything from [[Scooby Doo]] to various sports [[mascot]]s to [[Omaha the Cat Dancer]]. Since mainstream characters are generally not created with furries in mind, the furry context is presumed by most outsiders to not be present despite subcultural interest.

Any art showcasing anthropomorphic animals is generally considered furry artwork. Artwork that contains furries in sexual situations may be called [[yiff]] or [[spooge]] art.

=== Non-furry furries ===

Anthropomorphic creatures that are also considered to be furry (even with the lack of pelt or fur) include (but are not limited to): [[dragon]]s and [[lizard]]s (also known as [[scalies]] and [[herp]]s, respectively), [[Cetacean]]s ([[dolphin]]s and [[Orca]]s), [[bird]]s and [[griffin]]s (also known as [[featheries]] or '''[[avian]]s'''), and [[taur]]s ([[centaur]]s being the prime example).

== Etymology ==

According to maintainers of the [[Prancing Skiltaire]] YouTube channel, the term ''furry'' was coined by a non-furry gamer, [[Dr. Pepper]], who frequented the PS in the mid-80s.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymFjgpcapx8&lc=UgjRSeNdazCnDXgCoAEC.8NopvfYIJ2A8O67HsczGff Comment to ''First Furry Convention: ConFurence Zero, 1989''] - Prancing Skiktaire, YouTube</ref>

== See also ==

* [[W:Furry|furry]] on [[Wikipedia]]
* [[W:Furry fandom|Furry fandom]] on Wikipedia
* [[Furry fan]]
* [[Furry fandom]]
* [[Furvert]]
* [[Fursuiter]]
* [[Lifestyler]]

== References ==
<references/>

== External links ==

* [https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/furry The term "furry"] via the [[W:Oxford English Dictionary|Oxford English Dictionary]]
* [http://www.tigerden.com/~infopage/furry/ PeterCat's Furry InfoPage]
* [http://www.tigerden.com/~infopage/furry/furfaq.txt FAQ] for [[alt.fan.furry]]
* [http://www.loganberry.furtopia.org/essays/rabbitingon.html Rabbiting On - a personal view of furry]
* [https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/cultures/furries Furry culture, terms and memes] on [[W:Know Your Meme|Know Your Meme]]
* [http://www.slhistory.org/index.php/Anthro Furry] on the [[SL History Wiki]]
* [http://rationalwiki.com/wiki/Furry_fandom Furry fandom] on [[RationalWiki]]
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=== Media ===

* [https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/furry-fandom-tiktok-gen-z-midwest-furfest-924789/ ''Why Are So Many Gen Z Kids Becoming Furries?''] article on [[W:Rolling Stone|Rolling Stone]]

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Furry