My misconceptions? Re: FMA : Full Metal Anorak

On Mon, 22 Oct 2001 07:27:58 -0500 devans@uneb.edu wrote:

> ***
> Anorak being a sort of kit for UK wargamers...
> ***
 
> My impression was that it was kit for any 'geek'; a species of 
wargamer identifiable as a geek by his fellow gamers is a terrifying 
concept, indeed! <

Not just 'geeks' -- if my understanding of _that_ term is correct! -- 
but for almost anyone who has a hobby that "normal" people think is 
odd. The original "anoraks" were train- and plane-spotters, who needed 
the garment when they stood ouside in bad weather for long periods, 
waiting for something to go by/take off/land. Since then, the term has 
spread to anybody with "weird" interests.

> I gather it's especially associated for the tree-hugger(I'm one), 
disarmament, and anti-fox hunting folk. <

Not particularly, though such people do tend to wear them (quite 
sensibly) and so leave themselves open to the "charge", but the term is 
equally applied to people who might be considered as "tree-huggers'" 
worst enemies! It's a matter of whether so-called normal people think 
you're doing something peculiar or not.

I find it... interesting that people who wear weatherproof garments to 
such outdoor pursuits as soccer matches don't get accused of 
anorak-ism. Why, deponent knoweth not, but I can't see that watching 23 
men chasing a ball around a field is any less odd an interest than my 
own -- and it's pretty boring, IMO.

Phil
----
"We gotta get out into Space / If it's the last thing we ever do!"  
   -- Return to the Forbidden Planet