[Ads-l] Larping

ADSGarson O'Toole 00001aa1be50b751-dmarc-request at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Wed Aug 12 13:12:26 UTC 2026


 Amy West wrote:
>
> Just, wow, I hadn't noticed the expansion of the term beyond the
> (fannish) activity.
>
> But, Garson, I think this cite below that you found is the initial,
> narrower (dare we say "literal"? ;-) ) meaning of the term: I think the
> costumes mentioned are costumes for LARPing. More context would be
> needed to be sure.
>
> On 8/12/26 00:00, ADS-L automatic digest system wrote:
> > Here is an example of "just a larper" from twitter in 2015.
> > [Begin tweet information]
> > Books Schwartz @SunshineDuk
> > I have five near-identical pairs of black pants. Not a goth, just a
> > LARPer with a need for pants that I can wear under any costume.
> > 5:57 PM · Apr 29, 2015
> > [End tweet information]

Great point, Amy. I agree with you that "LARPer" in the citation above
probably fits the classic definition of Live Action Role Player. The
other tweets I posted containing the phrase "just larping" seem to
match the extended non-literal sense of larping.

Below is a 2017 example containing the phrase "just a larper" in which
"larper" fits the extended non-literal definition, I think.

https://x.com/Truthgater/status/890746308897714177?s=20
[Begin tweet information]
John Smith at Truthgater
9:30 PM · Jul 27, 2017
reminder that he is just a larper/disinfoagent who sent the emails to
himself. too bad he forgot to black it out properly once
[End tweet information]

Garson

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