Shipping

(Redirected from Shippers)

Synonyms:	Pairing, Relationship
See also:	OTP, OT3, OT4
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Shipping is the act of supporting, writing, or wishing for a particular romantic (het or slash) pairing.

Etymology

The term originated in the X-Files fandom, where advocates of a romantic relationship between Fox Mulder and Dana Scully were dubbed "relationshippers," or "shippers."

"Shippers" evolved into the shortened term "ship," used to refer to a potential romantic pairing a fan supported or wished to see become canon. "Ship" was subsequently used as a verb: "(to) ship a certain pairing."

"Shippers" has sometimes been used to refer exclusively to fans of het pairings, as opposed to "slashers." ^[1] It may now also mean fans of slash pairings.

A clash between rival groups of pairing supporters is called a shipwar or shipping war.

Because of their homophones, the terms are often accompanied or embellished by nautical or maritime imagery (for example, if canon makes a particular pairing unlikely or difficult to write, shippers may say it has "sunk their ship.") When the song "White Flag" by Dido came out, one of its lyrics, "I will go down with this ship," became a motto for passionate shipping, appearing on many, many LJ icons.

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Shippers of a particular pairing may make up names to describe themselves or their ship, such as the Harmonians, or the Rocketshippers of Pokémon fandom.