Backbutton
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| Synonyms: | back button, back-button |
| See also: | Don't Like, Don't Read |
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The backbutton originally refers to the "back" or "backspace" key on a computer keyboard.
In fandom, to hit the backbutton is to exit a page without finishing reading. The phrase is often used by fans to explain that they decided not to read, or gave up on reading, a piece of fanfiction.
It can be used as a noun or as a verb: to backbutton out or simply to backbutton.
Advice to hit the backbutton is sometimes used in disclaimers to ward off unwanted readers. In certain contexts, it can also be used as a synonym for "Don't Like, Don't Read," as advice to exit a piece of media one doesn't like without saying anything.
Examples of Use
As a Noun
Right now it must be hard to believe or accept that "Misericorde" is a post-GoF story with Sirius as one of its central characters. If not THE central character. Even a few years ago it was enough to make most Snarry maniacs hit the Back button with all possible speed.morrighan, 2007[1]
Disclaimer: I don't own Bam, Ville or any of these characters, and please if you are these people hit the back button, it will save you from being horrorfied.sinsrose, 2012[2]
First – we do say a lot nowadays, that fanfiction is free, and if you don’t like a story, then bail out of it, hit the back-button, no harm, no foul.eregyrn-falls, 2021[3]
As a Verb
you know what the problem w/actually developing taste in fics? the fics you used to read when young, you backbutton out of reaaaaal fast
I actually nearly always backbutton out of a fic if it has the shovel talk.sophia-sol, 2014[5]
...actually I backbutton out of awful LJ layouts too, so hey.
Fandom is here to tell you that you can backbutton when you want, but you can also read what you want, even if it’s “bad”.olderthannetfic, 2016[7]
I was taught never to reveal my asl and to stay in my lane. I learned to backbutton if I saw something that wasn't for me bc this was An Adult Place.@Amythe3lder, 2019[8]
References
- ^ 'Misericorde' by Fabula Rasa by morrighan_sai, August 3, 2007
- ^ Disclaimer on 'Harder to Breathe Part One' by sinsrose, Oct 18, 2012
- ^ Tumblr post by eregyrn-falls, May 8, 2021
- ^ @zeenell tweet, May 28, 2010.
- ^ What is “shovel talk”? response by sophia-sol, posted July 18, 2014.
- ^ @lianesque tweet, April 10, 2012.
- ^ "You’re totally welcome on my lawn, but I wish you wouldn’t pee on the grass" by olderthannetfic, Dec 29, 2016
- ^ @Amythe3lder tweet, Nov 30, 2019