Marmite
| Synonyms: | Love–hate reaction, love it or hate it |
| See also: | Vegemite Effect |
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Comparing something to marmite implies it raises strong, polarised opinions: people either love it or hate it. The term is widespread in British use, and has spread into fandom, particularly ones originating in the UK (such as Doctor Who). It can be applied to a show, episode, character, plot arc, relationship – anything that polarises fans. For example:
She's the fandom's marmite and I'm in the 'love her' camp.[1]
...a great example of the marmite of TV shows. Some love it. Some hate it. Often for the very same reasons.[2]
this is purest Marmite of an episode[3]
After a pungent British spread made from yeast with the same property (known as Vegemite elsewhere, but it doesn't have the same metaphorical meaning). The original spread occasionally turns up in fanfiction.[4]
References
- ^ Anonymous comment dated 18 March 2012 to fandomsecrets: F!S Anon Meme (the Sixth) (accessed 20 September 2014)
- ^ Utopia, Season 2 - a retrospective (accessed 20 September 2014)
- ^ Post by Perdide dated 13 September 2014 in SFX: Doctor Who and its spin-offs (accessed 20 September 2014)
- ^ Works tagged "Marmite" on Archive of Our Own (accessed 20 September 2014)