The Language of My People

[catherineldf]

Anyone know where the phrase "Going to con?" came into use to describe an activity most of us engage in? Anyone but me find it weird and pretentious? Around here, it's generally applied to CONvergence as if there are no other conventions. Just curious.

Comments

[kalmn.livejournal.com]

it's been around for at least 20 years. it used to be applied to minicon as if there were no other conventions.

[kalmn.livejournal.com]

and yes.

[catherineldf.livejournal.com]

:-) and thanks for the history. I hadn't heard it until recently.
Congrats on the certification, BTW.

[pameladean]

As kalmn says, it used to be applied to Minicon by a substantial number of attendees, and I think the application to CONvergence comes from that usage.

I recently saw the term applied to Arisia by somebody who attends CONvergence but had moved to Boston, so the meaning may be broadening.

I don't exactly find it pretentious, but it just sounds grammatically WRONG to me. I absorb most fannish locutions with glee, but for some reason the missing article makes me blanch.

P.

[catherineldf.livejournal.com]

It's the pompous quality that gets me. Thanks for the additional context. :-)