fandom terms: AU (just checking)

[octopussy]

Is there a term to disdinguish between "AU" where someone turns their head left instead of right and "AU" where giant zebras rule the Earth, which is not really Earth, but now Planet Zee-Zee?

There should be.

Comments

[thepurpleswitch]

I suggest XAU: AU to the Xtreme!

For the head-turning ones, of course.

[octopussy]

I AGREE. You see, I just can't get enough of adding XTREME to everything, just like in all those great commercials, because it makes all it touches so much more Xciting and fun!

[executrix]

It's one of those much-debated fandom terms, BUT a lot of people make a distinction between Alternate Universe (AU) and Alternate Reality (AR), I can just never remember which is which.

[octopussy]

Ah, yes. For every rationalization I have to designate the two, there's another for the opposite way around. I'd imagine they have both gotten confused in fandom, much like the word "ironic" in the English language. And much as in that case, we will all suffer for it.

[reishin]

I think that's the difference between alternate universe and alternate reality - though I've seen alternate reality more in the terms of - what if the weasleys were a partridge family type traveling, singing groups instead of a group of wizards.

[octopussy]

Ahhhhh my head hurts. So what are the Weasleys in an AU if they are part of the Partridge Family in AR? Personally, I don't see much of a difference between the worlds you discribed. ;)

ARE YOU BACK TO LOVE AMONGST US?

[reishin]

The AU would take place in the same 'Harry Potter" universe aka oh, Ron would be born as a squib, or he would never have become friends with HP and Hermione. something 'different' taking place within the original universe. Alternate Reality would be where the universe itself is different aka taking place in the 15th century without magic, or in outer space etc.

*G* Kind of.