Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun derogatory Explanations invented by fans (of a television series etc.) to gloss over mistakes in continuity.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

fan +‎ wank

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Examples

  • But Who Killed Kennedy is a masterpiece of what's termed fanwank - the blatant, sometimes gratuitous use of continuity references to further a narrative.

    My novels #4: Who Killed Kennedy DAVID BISHOP 2007

  • But Who Killed Kennedy is a masterpiece of what's termed fanwank - the blatant, sometimes gratuitous use of continuity references to further a narrative.

    Archive 2007-11-01 DAVID BISHOP 2007

  • I just don't like the use of that kiss from the confidential to somehow whitewash/fanwank what I saw with my own eyes on the screen in JE.

    Vid Rec: Doctor/Rose to JE...with a REAL TEN kiss...trust me! rabid1st 2009

  • I just don't like the use of that kiss from the confidential to somehow whitewash/fanwank what I saw with my own eyes on the screen in JE.

    Vid Rec: Doctor/Rose to JE...with a REAL TEN kiss...trust me! rabid1st 2009

  • This could have turned into the most awful fanwank, but in fact we have a tight, taut set of plays depicting the rise of Davros through the ranks of the Kaled leadership on Skaro against the background of the "Forever War" against the Thals.

    February Books 3) No Great Mischief guidoeekhaut 2008

  • I am liking more and more leighjen's brilliant fanwank from what is actually going on between Gwen and Jack.

    March 6th, 2008 leighjen 2008

  • Removing the deleted scene does more damage than just taking out the cool Klingon fanwank.

    Star Trek Deleted Scene: Nero Interrogated By Klingons | /Film 2009

  • I agree on the other point about the magical trace put on the word "Voldemort", though I suppose I could fanwank that and say that Voldemort himself could only do it because it was his own name.

    REVIEW:Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling 2007

  • Also, we are led to believe that not just the Imperium and the Houses, but also the Bene Gesserit, the Suk School, the Spacing Guild, the Fremen, the swordmasters of Ginaz, the Mentats, the face-dancers and just about every single other concept in the Dune series was established simultaneously in Herbert's original plan the Bene Gesserit had already existed for centuries, albeit with a different agenda in an awe-inspiring display of pure fanwank.

    The Legends of Dune Trilogy by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson Adam Whitehead 2008

  • Also, we are led to believe that not just the Imperium and the Houses, but also the Bene Gesserit, the Suk School, the Spacing Guild, the Fremen, the swordmasters of Ginaz, the Mentats, the face-dancers and just about every single other concept in the Dune series was established simultaneously in Herbert's original plan the Bene Gesserit had already existed for centuries, albeit with a different agenda in an awe-inspiring display of pure fanwank.

    Archive 2008-07-01 Adam Whitehead 2008

Comments

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  • verb: To posit a contrived explanation, often involving special pleading, to redeem blatantly illogical or nonsensical plotting or characterization. Particularly appropriate if the explanation relies on background information that only an obsessive fan would know or care about.

    January 3, 2007