Flora LewisJanet K. Keeler
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The Fanatical Origin of Fan
There are a good number of etymological myths in the English language, stories about the origins of words (such as the widespread notion that posh originated as an acronym for “port out, starboard home”) which are, to put it kindly, inaccurate. But this does not mean that every vivid account of linguistic origin is fictitious. Many words, such as fan, do have colorful backstories.
Fan is generally–and very likely correctly–believed to be a shortened form of fanatic. The origin of fanatic (which can be traced back to the Latin word fanum, meaning “sanctuary, temple”) is less often commented on. In English, fan made an early appearance in the late 17th century only to disappear for two centuries, resurfacing in the late 19th century. In this later period of use, it often referred to the devoted observers of, or participants in, a sport. An 1885 article from The Kansas City Times, for example, contains the line “The base ball ‘fans’ of the ploice [sic] force and fire department engage in a ball game.”
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The Latin adjective fanaticus, a derivative of the noun fanum, meaning “temple,” originally meant “of or relating to a temple.” It was later used to refer to pious individuals who were thought to have been inspired by a god or goddess. In time, the sense “frantic, frenzied, mad” arose because it was thought that persons behaving in such a manner were possessed by a deity. This was the first meaning of the English word fanatic. This sense is now obsolete, but it led to the meaning “excessively enthusiastic, especially about religious matters.” The word later became less specific, meaning simply “excessively enthusiastic or unreasonable.” The noun fan, meaning “enthusiast,” is probably a shortening of fanatic.
Synonyms
Examples of fanatic in a Sentence
J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 30 Mar. 2024
Java fanatics in Fort Worth know the coffee shop well.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2024
The fanatics program provided her insight into AI, starting her own company and the power of sharing her story.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
But for the fashion aficionados and jewelry fanatics that keep up with the latest style trends, earring stacks are definite must-try.
—Mekaylah Yowpp-Hernacki, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2024
His ambitions are somehow greater, and more science-fictional, than those of other biohackers and life-extension fanatics—a group that includes Peter Thiel, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2024
Ristorante Cavallino Located near the Ferrari Factory and Museum in Maranello, Bottura’s restaurant in collaboration with the Ferrari family tends to draw automotive fanatics, Ferrari executives, and foodies.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2024
The fanatics and fundamentalists who tell us straight that all Palestinians deserve to die are chilling, but honest.
—Hazlitt, 6 Mar. 2024
The Arab leaders have long seen the Houthis as dangerous proxies for Iran, the group’s main military supplier, but some observers now say the truth may be even worse: that the Houthis are fanatics who answer to no one.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2024
Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
The 22 artists in the show were then known as Process artists and interested in dismantling the fanatic geometry and high gloss of Minimalist sculpture reigning in New York.
—Deborah Solomon, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Over her 20-year-career, she's seen enough proof that people can thrive outside of big institutions — even patients with the most complex needs, like wrestling fanatic Kevin Carlson.
—Dan Gorenstein, NPR, 26 Mar. 2024
But more than 50 years after Vail and Wilson worked on their unusual country album, a Beach Boys fanatic and young concert promoter reached out to Vail.
—Joe Rubin, Sacramento Bee, 27 Mar. 2024
In the spotlight today: Meet fitness and fashion fanatic Eve Dawes.
—Vogue Club, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2024
Founding Fathers fanatic, but there truly were some brilliant men who set this country on its democratic course.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024
Instant feedback tech For the data fanatic who wants real-time performance metrics to improve their round, this is a genius gadget.
—Amy Schlinger, wsj.com, 19 Dec. 2023
An ideal stocking stuffer for the skincare fanatic in your life, this skincare set is 50 percent off right now.
—Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fanatic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near fanatic
Cite this Entry
“Fanatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fanatic. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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More from Merriam-Webster on fanatic
Nglish: Translation of fanatic for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of fanatic for Arabic Speakers
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