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→History of the Term
{{Quotation|
{{Quotation|
The term "slash" was *not* in use in the 1970s or early 1980s. The virgule was. It has always been used in fandom, as a form of shorthand, to denote relationships--heterosexual, same-sex, romantic, sexual, friendship. For example, [[Juanita Salicrup]] wrote a [[Crossroads (Star Trek: TOS story)#The Crossroads Series|Spock/Christine series]] and [[Mary Louise Dodge]] wrote [[Delta Triad|a Kirk/Uhurua series]]. By the mid-seventies there was a growing subgenre of stories about the friendship between Kirk and Spock. These were usually referred to as [[Kirk/Spock]] stories or [[Kirk/Spock relationship]] stories. When "the other kind" of story began seeing publication, in order to distinguish between the two types of stories, people started referring to those as [[K/S]] stories. That designation took a while to become common usage, and for the first few years there was still some confusion, as people referred to Kirk/Spock friendship stories as both that and as K/S stories. Eventually it settled into its current usage. <ref> Material quoted on [[Fanlore]] at Klangley's request. </ref>}}
The term "slash" was *not* in use in the 1970s or early 1980s. The virgule was. It has always been used in fandom, as a form of shorthand, to denote relationships--heterosexual, same-sex, romantic, sexual, friendship. For example, [[Juanita Salicrup]] wrote a [[Crossroads (Star Trek: TOS story)#The Crossroads Series|Spock/Christine series]] and [[Mary Louise Dodge]] wrote [[Delta Triad|a Kirk/Uhurua series]]. By the mid-seventies there was a growing subgenre of stories about the friendship between Kirk and Spock. These were usually referred to as [[Kirk/Spock]] stories or [[Kirk/Spock relationship]] stories. When "the other kind" of story began seeing publication, in order to distinguish between the two types of stories, people started referring to those as [[K/S]] stories. That designation took a while to become common usage, and for the first few years there was still some confusion, as people referred to Kirk/Spock friendship stories as both that and as K/S stories. Eventually it settled into its current usage. <ref> Material quoted on [[Fanlore]] at Klangley's request. </ref>}}
Not all fans were familiar with the term. This fan in 1992 wrote: {{Quotation2|
Some general comments of "Slash" — the symbol "/". (Note: The slash in writing is formally called a virgule or diagonal). I must be some sort of square or wh[a]tever, never — not even once — having read or heard about this [See "SLASH" by Karen Ann Yost, [http://www.strangenewworlds.com/issues/ SNW] issue #2]. It is a free country and everyone can, at least theoretically, say or write what he/she pleases (the proper use of virgule or slash). [...] I would think science/ficton readers/fans (S/F: another use of the symbol) would not like their heroes being used in this facetious fashion. <ref> [http://www.strangenewworlds.com/issues/letters-04.html Letters to the Publisher]; [ WebCite] by "The Man From U.N.C.L.E / The Woman From A.U.N.T." (October/November 1992).</ref>}}
Terms like [[gen]] and [[het]] arose to distinguish these types of stories from slash. Although heterosexual narratives can of course be explicit on the level of an R, X or NC17 rating, they were more acceptable than slash at that time. Labeling a story as slash could provide a warning of criminal risk as well. In the early 1970s, any literature depicting homosexuality, even if not explicit, was considered pornography in most states (see [[Slash Controversies#Illegality of Slash]]) and illegal to be sent through the U.S. mail.
Terms like [[gen]] and [[het]] arose to distinguish these types of stories from slash. Although heterosexual narratives can of course be explicit on the level of an R, X or NC17 rating, they were more acceptable than slash at that time. Labeling a story as slash could provide a warning of criminal risk as well. In the early 1970s, any literature depicting homosexuality, even if not explicit, was considered pornography in most states (see [[Slash Controversies#Illegality of Slash]]) and illegal to be sent through the U.S. mail.