Do we still use the word "jossed?"

[brightknightie]

Does fandom at large still use the term "jossed," that is, having a plot theory or fanfic story in progress overtaken or overturned by emerging canon? Or do we now avoid the term because of its original namesake's revealed behavior? (Or because young folks don't get the reference?) I see that it's still on TVTropes. Just curious!

I was idly thinking ahead to Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, which will surely joss its share of theories and stories, as well as supply some "I knew it!"s.

Comments

[picori]

As a younger fandom person, I can offer my own input in that I don't think I've ever heard anyone actually use the term in current fandom spaces? The last time I saw it was, like, a decade ago when I mainly read older fanfiction from fanfiction.net. It may have just faded out of use, or maybe people did purposefully stop using it. Or both!

[brightknightie]

Interesting to know, thank you!

I wonder whether "jossing" doesn't even happen as often today, given how television has changed from 1 episode per week, 22-26 episodes per year, with a long summer break and shorter holiday breaks, to, well, streaming marathons.

[under_the_silk_tree]

I haven't seen it in a really long time. I had actually forgotten about it.

[brightknightie]

Thank you for the data point! :-)

Well ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

I still see it used, but in the connotation of "great show got cancelled for no good reason."

Re: Well ...

[brightknightie]

Interesting! Sounds like perhaps the word evolved with the career of its namesake and became a Firefly reference more than a BtVS reference.

[thefruitbat]

Never heard it before but I already had a hunch that it had something to do with Joss Whedon. (Still miffed that he killed so many good characters. -_- )

[brightknightie]

"Joss" is indeed an unusual name! Mr. Whedon is not the only person with it, but he is one of only a few. :-)

The fan-term "to be jossed" originally emerged in direct response to how Buffy the Vampire Slayer unfolded across seasons, often setting up questions at the end of one season, going on summer break leaving fans wondering and theorizing, and then coming back and resolving the questions in ways that contradicted the fans' imaginings.

(Above, Ysabetwordsmith shared an observation that I imagine suggests that the term may have subsequently picked up Firefly connotations, which of course weren't there in the original reference.)