Changes

{{Quotation| [2017]:

{{Quotation| [2017]:

As an additional data point, as far as I know the term “squick” comes from the BDSM community, originally. At least that’s where I first encountered it, on BDSM message boards on [[usenet]] in the mid-90s – yes, I was on BDSM message boards in the mid-90s; long story. As such, the implicit lack of judgment is important to the meaning of the word; you need a word to mean “I really don’t want to do that, and I don’t want to watch you doing that, but I don’t judge YOU for liking that and I don’t mind if YOU do it … somewhere far away from me.”<ref>{{source|url = http://laylainalaska.tumblr.com/post/160136430339/how-was-squick-used-like-would-you-tag-something |title = laylainalaska.tumblr.com |archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6znkLo6jt }}</ref>}}

As an additional data point, as far as I know the term “squick” comes from the BDSM community, originally. At least that’s where I first encountered it, on BDSM message boards on [[usenet]] in the mid-90s – yes, I was on BDSM message boards in the mid-90s; long story. As such, the implicit lack of judgment is important to the meaning of the word; you need a word to mean “I really don’t want to do that, and I don’t want to watch you doing that, but I don’t judge YOU for liking that and I don’t mind if YOU do it … somewhere far away from me.”<ref>{{source|url = http://laylainalaska.tumblr.com/post/160136430339/how-was-squick-used-like-would-you-tag-something |title = laylainalaska.tumblr.com |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190817125114/https://laylainalaska.tumblr.com/post/160136430339/how-was-squick-used-like-would-you-tag-something |archivedate = 2019-08-17 }}</ref>}}

It is difficult to know when the term attained enough popular use to be recognized in larger fandom spaces, but a fan in August 1993 used it when she stated: "I also love violence [in fan fiction]. Not all kinds -- some of it squicks me — and not all the time --sometimes I like a [[happy ending]] and romance and all that even if it does violate the series atmosphere..." <ref> from a fan's trib in [[Strange Bedfellows (APA)|Strange Bedfellows]] #2 </ref>  Another August 1993 use: "[[Grievous Bodily Harm]] [a [[Professionals]] fanfic] didn't squick me, at least the catheters didn't." <ref>August 13, 1993 comment by [E B] on [[Virgule-L]], this same fan also used "squick" in May 22, 1993 in  very personal post to that mailing list </ref> In 1998, a fan in an [[X-Files]] zine wrote: "A [[warning]] sticker may appear in the back of this [[zine]] - where it won't spoil things for the toughies, but may help the easily squicked." <ref> from [[Double eXposure (X-Files zine)|Double eXposure]]. </ref>

It is difficult to know when the term attained enough popular use to be recognized in larger fandom spaces, but a fan in August 1993 used it when she stated: "I also love violence [in fan fiction]. Not all kinds -- some of it squicks me — and not all the time --sometimes I like a [[happy ending]] and romance and all that even if it does violate the series atmosphere..." <ref> from a fan's trib in [[Strange Bedfellows (APA)|Strange Bedfellows]] #2 </ref>  Another August 1993 use: "[[Grievous Bodily Harm]] [a [[Professionals]] fanfic] didn't squick me, at least the catheters didn't." <ref>August 13, 1993 comment by [E B] on [[Virgule-L]], this same fan also used "squick" in May 22, 1993 in  very personal post to that mailing list </ref> In 1998, a fan in an [[X-Files]] zine wrote: "A [[warning]] sticker may appear in the back of this [[zine]] - where it won't spoil things for the toughies, but may help the easily squicked." <ref> from [[Double eXposure (X-Files zine)|Double eXposure]]. </ref>

Now, neither of these things are dangerous to my mental or emotional state. I have never experienced either in my life, and they do not bring about any sort of PTSD, dissociation, or spiral of depression, anxiety, etc. They are simply things I prefer not to think about in my daily life, or read about in my escapist hobbies. Therefore, they are not [[triggers]]. Triggers are very real, very bad things for some people, and to [[label]] things we choose not to read because we find it disturbing or gross or weird is to diminish the very real danger of actual triggers.

Now, neither of these things are dangerous to my mental or emotional state. I have never experienced either in my life, and they do not bring about any sort of PTSD, dissociation, or spiral of depression, anxiety, etc. They are simply things I prefer not to think about in my daily life, or read about in my escapist hobbies. Therefore, they are not [[triggers]]. Triggers are very real, very bad things for some people, and to [[label]] things we choose not to read because we find it disturbing or gross or weird is to diminish the very real danger of actual triggers.

I love the term squick. It perfectly describes the concept without assigning any negativity to the thing you dislike, or to people who do like the thing you dislike. It is something you personally do not care for and wish to avoid, simple as that.<ref name="desertneon1">{{source| url = http://desert-neon.tumblr.com/post/138955387188/whats-a-squick | title = What's a squick? | archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6floMtZKd | archivedate = 2016-03-05 }} ask answered by desert-neon, 8 February 2016. (Accessed 14 June 2016.)</ref>}}

I love the term squick. It perfectly describes the concept without assigning any negativity to the thing you dislike, or to people who do like the thing you dislike. It is something you personally do not care for and wish to avoid, simple as that.<ref name="desertneon1">{{source| url = http://desert-neon.tumblr.com/post/138955387188/whats-a-squick | title = What's a squick? | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191228073738/https://desert-neon.tumblr.com/post/138955387188/whats-a-squick | archivedate = 2019-12-28 }} ask answered by desert-neon, 8 February 2016. (Accessed 14 June 2016.)</ref>}}

{{Quotation| [2017]:

{{Quotation| [2017]:

I was also thinking about how the original ask implies a very modern fannish mindset that’s just … not there, in the original fandom milieu that the squick concept came out of. Not that I’m saying fandom was better in the old days or anything, god no. But trying to explain ''why'' you have a squick, or asking someone else why they have theirs, is just not a thing you’d generally do. Squicks are irrational; that’s baked into the meaning of the word. Squicks aren’t something you ''explain''. They just ''are''. I mean, you could obviously try to figure it out, just like you can try to figure out why you have a particular kink, but in both cases, you don’t have to explain or justify it in order for other people to accept it as valid. I don’t need to explain that I like h/c for X and Y reasons in order to request it in an exchange. And squick functions the same way.

I was also thinking about how the original ask implies a very modern fannish mindset that’s just … not there, in the original fandom milieu that the squick concept came out of. Not that I’m saying fandom was better in the old days or anything, god no. But trying to explain ''why'' you have a squick, or asking someone else why they have theirs, is just not a thing you’d generally do. Squicks are irrational; that’s baked into the meaning of the word. Squicks aren’t something you ''explain''. They just ''are''. I mean, you could obviously try to figure it out, just like you can try to figure out why you have a particular kink, but in both cases, you don’t have to explain or justify it in order for other people to accept it as valid. I don’t need to explain that I like h/c for X and Y reasons in order to request it in an exchange. And squick functions the same way.

All of which makes it a very useful word for talking about fandom concepts without implying that someone else’s tastes make them a bad person! <ref>{{source|url = http://laylainalaska.tumblr.com/post/160136430339/how-was-squick-used-like-would-you-tag-something |title = laylainalaska.tumblr.com |archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6znkLo6jt }}</ref>}}

All of which makes it a very useful word for talking about fandom concepts without implying that someone else’s tastes make them a bad person! <ref>{{source|url = http://laylainalaska.tumblr.com/post/160136430339/how-was-squick-used-like-would-you-tag-something |title = laylainalaska.tumblr.com |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190817125114/https://laylainalaska.tumblr.com/post/160136430339/how-was-squick-used-like-would-you-tag-something |archivedate = 2019-08-17 }}</ref>}}

One fan described "squick" as a kind of shorthand that works primarily communities where there's a degree of implicit trust or civility, as well as a need to easily communicate preferences and boundaries:

One fan described "squick" as a kind of shorthand that works primarily communities where there's a degree of implicit trust or civility, as well as a need to easily communicate preferences and boundaries:

Incompatible preferences are unfortunate, but no one is being silenced here.

Incompatible preferences are unfortunate, but no one is being silenced here.

(Also, if someone keeps waving squicks (or triggers) around like convenient bludgeons intended to silence you whenever they feel like it, you probably don’t have a terminology problem. You have an asshole problem. I recommend blocking.) <ref>{{source|url = http://stand-up-and-fight-daleks.tumblr.com/post/174387691836/how-was-squick-used-like-would-you-tag-something |title = stand-up-and-fight-daleks.tumblr |archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/6znkfF7Ag }}</ref>}}

(Also, if someone keeps waving squicks (or triggers) around like convenient bludgeons intended to silence you whenever they feel like it, you probably don’t have a terminology problem. You have an asshole problem. I recommend blocking.) <ref>{{source|url = http://stand-up-and-fight-daleks.tumblr.com/post/174387691836/how-was-squick-used-like-would-you-tag-something |title = stand-up-and-fight-daleks.tumblr |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181205032305/http://stand-up-and-fight-daleks.tumblr.com/post/174387691836/how-was-squick-used-like-would-you-tag-something |archivedate = 2018-12-05 }}</ref>}}

While most fans seem to consider "squick" as a successfully neutral term, some feel that there may still be an implicit judgment in the way it's used:

While most fans seem to consider "squick" as a successfully neutral term, some feel that there may still be an implicit judgment in the way it's used:

Squicks were respected by fandom. You don’t like the thing, okay, we will tag the thing appropriately, you do not have to read the thing, no judgments on either side. There was no fandom policing, only respect.  

Squicks were respected by fandom. You don’t like the thing, okay, we will tag the thing appropriately, you do not have to read the thing, no judgments on either side. There was no fandom policing, only respect.  

And this, I think, is super important, because fandom policing is a problem, especially when it comes to triggers. “Trigger” has become so overused, so all-encompassing, that people feel they have to defend their legitimate triggers. If X triggers you, it triggers you, and you DO NOT need to provide an explanation. But because “trigger” is so often used in place of “squick,” some people feel they have the right to “call out” those who use the word. They want explanations, they want you to tell them what that triggering concept does to you, so they can call bullshit and feel superior. You don’t have to explain either your squicks or your [[triggers]], but '''using the correct word stops the fandom police from feeling as though they have the right to ask.''' Bring “squick” back, people. Don’t devalue triggers, which are horrible, nasty, dangerous things.<ref>{{source| url = http://desert-neon.tumblr.com/post/139526793518/how-was-squick-used-like-would-you-tag-something | title = How was squick used? | archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6flod27ZR | archivedate = 2016-03-05 }}, ask answered by desert-neon, 18 February 2016.</ref>

And this, I think, is super important, because fandom policing is a problem, especially when it comes to triggers. “Trigger” has become so overused, so all-encompassing, that people feel they have to defend their legitimate triggers. If X triggers you, it triggers you, and you DO NOT need to provide an explanation. But because “trigger” is so often used in place of “squick,” some people feel they have the right to “call out” those who use the word. They want explanations, they want you to tell them what that triggering concept does to you, so they can call bullshit and feel superior. You don’t have to explain either your squicks or your [[triggers]], but '''using the correct word stops the fandom police from feeling as though they have the right to ask.''' Bring “squick” back, people. Don’t devalue triggers, which are horrible, nasty, dangerous things.<ref>{{source| url = http://desert-neon.tumblr.com/post/139526793518/how-was-squick-used-like-would-you-tag-something | title = How was squick used? | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220103221449/https://desert-neon.tumblr.com/post/139526793518/how-was-squick-used-like-would-you-tag-something | archivedate = 2022-01-03 }}, ask answered by desert-neon, 18 February 2016.</ref>

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