Many terms in the fandom dictionary are of English origin, and no one is engaged in the search for Russian-language analogues. This makes no sense, especially now, when virtual boundaries practically do not exist. For example, shippering is a peculiar phenomenon, and the origin of the word itself due to the peculiarities of the English language has become the occasion for many jokes that are difficult to explain to a person who speaks only Russian. What is this phenomenon and how to relate to it?
Definition and Origin: What does Shiphiping Mean?
The term crystallized from the word "relationship" - relationship. Spoken English, rich in slang expressions, quickly reduced the first part of the word, leaving, in fact, only the second “ship”.
Thus, shipping is a special type of fan hobby, when the emphasis is placed precisely on relationships, love, romance or some other. For example, the very popular genre of “bromance” implies that two male characters experience deep platonic feelings for each other, more like brotherly ones. Glorified back in the USSR, “real male friendship” in the language of modern shippers is just bromance.
Shipping itself is a “shipping” adapted to the Russian grammar - a frequent occurrence in modern linguistics, when familiar endings and suffixes substitute for a foreign word, contributing to its rapid penetration into the linguistic environment. At the same time, shipping is literally cargo delivery. Thanks to this coincidence, the Anglofand was enriched with all kinds of memes and puns, of which there are many. The most famous meme on this subject is "Now kiss!" just depicts a shipper who makes the characters kiss.
From fan to shippers
Not every fan is a shipper: you can admire the world of books or films thought out to the smallest detail, be a sincere admirer of the talent of the actors, and even not think about who should be a couple with whom. Especially if the canon does not address romantic issues at all or there are only weak hints at them. However, shipping is a restless passion , and it does not matter what the canon is about.
Migration from a respectable fan to the ranks of shippers can occur quite suddenly, without preliminary symptoms. Already existing shippers contribute to this, flooding the Internet with tons of fanaticism. If an ordinary fan often comes across talented artworks or videos of authorship of shippers, then involvement can occur quickly and imperceptibly. There is nothing dangerous in this, because it is just as easy to jump off a pairing, that is, from a couple that you are fan of. The interest is exhausted, disappears, leaving behind either regrets or pleasant memories of discussions and joint “burning by paring” with like-minded people.
Pairs of Search
The subject of shipping can be both the canonical OTP, and a completely wild combination of characters, which is not justified by anything. However, fans can easily come up with a coherent system of arguments that “prove” the truth of this particular pair. Shippering is primarily emotions, and in a society of fans who are passionate about the same paring, you can spend a rather pleasant time.
The reverse side of the picture can be considered all kinds of holivars, when the shippers begin mutual persecution, proving the correctness of their OTP and demonstrably despising the inadmissibility of someone else's, especially if this someone else's OTP “breaks” their wonderful paring.
Constancy of fans
Shippers are divided into faithful and windy. These are very conditional categories that do not depend on anything other than the fan’s temperament and his ability to get involved in several paysings simultaneously.
Some quickly become addicted to new or especially original OTP and change their attachments just as quickly, while others have kept moderate interest for years, while continuing to engage in fanaticism. In this case, a very real couple from life can become an object of interest. A vivid example is Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. The personal relationship of a star couple has become for millions of people the OTP, which is doubly more interesting to ship. It’s like the fictional characters in the series about the life of the rich and famous, but with real stories and sudden revelations to journalists.
FanService for shippers
Many producers of popular TV series closely monitor the mood of the fans, and gladly throw them reasons for frantic shipping. However, not only film producers are involved in this. Japanese and Korean popular music has long exploited the hobbies of fans, and for this, performers (idols) can also “feed” enthusiastic fans with expected gestures, looks, and actions.
What does the canon mean in shipping? First of all, these are fulfilled expectations. The characters actually start a romance, not just in fan imagination. The idols on the stage suddenly hug or even kiss. A violent romance erupts between the actors after they played a romantic scene in the film.
The stars themselves at the same time relate to fan fantasies in different ways. Some people prefer not to pay attention or even censure, while others are happy to joke with fans, posting funny photos and sayings on Twitter, providing fan service - reasons for unremitting fanaticism. Robert Downey Jr., who played Iron Man in a series of films about the Marvel Universe, was especially distinguished in this field. A happily married family man, an exemplary husband and a proud father does not see anything special in shipper fantasies and joyfully poses in an embrace with other actors.