Science fiction conventions have their own vocabulary. This glossary explains common terms used around Worldcons, regional conventions, fan-run events, program rooms, volunteer work, bids, parties, awards, and convention culture.
Table of Contents
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Worldcon | The annual World Science Fiction Convention. |
| Concom | The convention committee that runs an event. |
| Bid | A campaign to host a future convention. |
| SMOF | A fan deeply involved in convention organization or governance. |
| Gopher | A convention volunteer who handles practical tasks. |
| Con suite | A hospitality room for members. |
| Dead dog party | An informal gathering after the convention is mostly over. |
| Filk | Fannish music tradition often present at conventions. |
Core Convention Terms
Worldcon is the World Science Fiction Convention, the annual convention associated with the Hugo Awards and WSFS business.
Concom means convention committee. A concom handles planning, staffing, budgeting, hotel relations, program, publications, registration, hospitality, and the many details that make a convention happen.
Bid means an organized effort to host a future convention. Bids are especially important for Worldcon and other rotating conventions where members choose future sites.
Volunteer and Organization Terms
SMOF is usually used for a fan deeply involved in convention running, governance, or behind-the-scenes organization. Depending on tone, it can be affectionate, joking, or critical.
Gopher is a volunteer helper. Gophers may move supplies, watch doors, help registration, deliver messages, or do whatever practical work is needed.
Program means the organized schedule of panels, talks, readings, interviews, workshops, games, dances, concerts, and ceremonies.
Social and Cultural Terms
Con suite means a hospitality room where members can rest, talk, snack, and meet other fans. It is often one of the social centers of a fan-run convention.
Dead dog party is the after-convention gathering for people still present after the formal event has ended. It is usually tired, informal, and beloved.
Filk is the fannish music tradition. Filk circles and concerts can include parody songs, original songs, folk influence, science fiction themes, and convention-specific humor.
Masquerade is a costume event or competition, especially associated with major conventions and Worldcon tradition.
Why Convention Language Matters
Convention language records how fandom organizes itself. Terms such as concom, bid, SMOF, and gopher are practical, but they also reveal a culture built on volunteer labor, recurring events, institutional memory, and a sense that fans are participants rather than spectators.
For broader context, see Convention: Science Fiction Gathering and Community Culture and the Science Fiction Fandom Glossary.
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