Every subculture has its own special language, and Lecterfic is certainly no exception. When you add in the jargon developed specifically amongst the Harpies, it can all become more than a little confusing. Here's a guide for the uninitiated.
- ACK-DACK: A general expression of dismay or displeasure. Hilarious origin can be found in honorary Harpy Helene/Drandmrslecter's fic Ruby Tuesday.
- Baltimore Blues: Lecter's blue inmate attire. Helene's expression, submitted by her and HR.
- Beta: Short for beta reader. Something no author should be without. Someone who looks at your work and tells you what's good and what's not so good. Basically similar to an editor.
- Big Kahuna: A scene that "consummates" the Lecter/Starling relationship. I believe it was first used by Horserider, but please correct me if I'm mistaken.
- BZZT: Harpy word to describe the phenomenon commonly known as "jinx" -- when two or more people say (or in our case, type) the same thing simultaneously. Pseudo-electric sound is caused by the wire that Lecter must have somehow inserted into our brains. We can't come up with any better explanation for the bizarre frequency of this occurence.
- CG: Much quicker than typing "clevergirl." Can be pronounced as the individual letters or as "Ceege."
- Erratica: Fiction that attempts to be smut but fails so dismally as to completely pervert the original purpose and instead becomes hysterically funny. See: SHE IS MINE. Alternate spelling: errotica. A subset of this is neurotica, see below.
- FBS: In the medical realm, stands for "fasting blood sugar." I'll reveal the Lecteresque meaning when CG ends her "fast" on her WIP OIAL (see below).
- FBW: Acronym for "feedback whore." Someone who never comments on anything except when they've just posted a piece, or who otherwise sells themselves for nice commentary (e.g. "I know this sucks but please comment!!"). Frequently seen at FF (see below), rare in other forums.
- FF: Stands for "fan fiction" generically, also used more specifically to refer to the website fanfiction.net.
- FIDO: Contributed by CG, this divinely expressive acronym stands for "fuck it, drive on." Very useful mantra when frustrated.
- FOTC: This Nyxian gem stands for "fuck of the century," and comes from her WIP The Lost Wages of Sin. It, of course, refers to the GD (see below).
- GD: The "Good Doctor." Phrase used to refer to Lecter, as it is much shorter to type and has a nice ring to it. If someone used this phrase before me, let me know!
- Gilr: A very cool girl. :)
- HR: Horserider, co-webmistress of the Visionary archive.
- Harpy: The brand of knife wielded by Lecter. Also, a female creature of Greek legend. Name adopted by clevergirl, Nyx Fixx, and glimmerdark because... well, because it suits. Snicker-snack!
- JDLR: "Just Doesn't Look Right." Useful in beta-reading.
- Kiddies' Table, the: Where Krendler is going to sit if he's not nicer to Clarice. Also a degoratory term for fanfiction.net, owing to the somewhat juvenile characteristics of many of the fics posted there (this usage coined by the Harpies). Have also just been informed that it is the name of a section on the Lecterville site reserved for under-14 fics - thanks, Helene.
- "Lalala ciggybugs": I dare you to say it and not smile. Comes from CG's WIP Once in a Lifetime.
- Lecterbuddy: A friend made in the Vortex (see below). From Helene.
- Lecterphile: A devotee of the GD. Coined by LL founders, credit to HR for the entry.
- Lecterspeak: That peculiarly delicious accent possessed by the GD... well, by Anthony Hopkins, actually, but, as you will... Suggested by Helene.
- LL: The Loving Lecter website, excellent repository of Lecterfic. The Harpies were born on its message board (now defunct, unfortunately, but the archives are still fantastic. Thanks, Hannah!).
- M/L: More or less. I guess that's M/L the definition.
- Mary Sue: 1. Generic fanfiction phrase referring to a work in which the author has transparently inserted herself/himself, thinly disguised, as a character. These pieces generally exhibit major suckage, though the device can be used to great humorous effect in parody. 2. Any character that reflects the above characteristics. Usually too perfect, or reacted to in OOC (see below) ways by other inhabitants of the story. Flaws, if any, will mirror the author's own.
- Memphis White: GD's 'angelic' costume in that locale. Another Helene/HR entry.
- Neurotica: As may seem obvious, this is smut in which the neuroses of the character/author get in the way of the work.
- OIAL: Once in a Lifetime, a work in progress (or should that be stasis :) ) by CG.
- OOC: Out of character. As in the GD wearing fishnets and a feather boa.
- Playjeerism: How Lecterfic authors generally deal with plagiarists. Mockingly, that is. By writing even better (and funnier) stories.
- PWP: Generic fanfiction acronym meaning, depending on who you ask, "Plot? What Plot?" or "Porn Without Plot."
- RD: Acronym for Red Dragon, the first of the Lecter novels by Thomas Harris.
- SotL: Acronym for Silence of the Lambs, the second Lecter novel.
- Tennessee Bloody Whites: A fashion look that won't be coming to a runway near you. Coined by Indreams, submitted per Helene/HR.
- "V": The Visionary website, run by Kabochon and HR. Has an associated fiction forum and Yahoo discussion club.
- Vortex, the: The realm of Lecterfic, so named because because of the rapid sucking-in effect experienced by those who come in contact with it.
- WIP: "Work in Progress." Of course.
- WTF: "What the Fuck?" The meaning of that should be fairly obvious, I would think.
- YMMV: Your Mileage May Vary. Your totally misguided opinion may diverge from my utterly correct position.
Got any more goodies for the Lecter Lexicon?? Send them over to me and I'll give you credit when they're posted!
