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| − | '''Smof''', an [[initialism]] for '''S'''ecret '''M'''aster of '''F'''andom, has come to be more-or-less a generic noun for a perennial [[conrunner]] — in particular, a [[Worldcon]] runner, or a [[fan]] who is a regular at the [[WSFS Business Meeting]]. As a verb, ''to smof'' means to talk in a [[sercon]] manner about running [[conventions]], other aspects of [[fandom]] or [[fan politics]]. (It's also sometimes used casually to describe intense, geeky discussion on any subject, e.g. "You don't want to go in there, they're smoffing crochet patterns.")
| + | #REDIRECT [[Smof]] |
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| − | "The Secret Masters of Fandom" began as a tongue-in-cheek reference to the mythical group of [[fans]] who supposedly convened in [[smoke-filled room]]s to "really" decide the course of future [[fandom]], a jibe at the notion that the anarchistic meritocracy that is [[fandom]] is controlled by some powerful, behind-the-scenes cadre of [[fans]]. At [[Discon 2]], [[Jodie Offutt]] remarked that the ''real'' Secret Masters of Fandom were the [[fen]] who kept [[con]]-hotel [[bathtubs]] filled with ice and [[bheer]].
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| − | The [[initialism]] was likely coined in conversation, probably by [[Jack Chalker]] in 1963, whereas the full phrase is based on a 1950s [[Bob Tucker]] article in ''[[Quandry]]''. Tucker apparrently derived it from Gerald Kersh's early 1950s book ''The Secret Masters''. The term was used in a skit at the [[1963 Worldcon]] that featured [[Hal Clement]], and a "SMOF Award" was presented to [[Ted Sturgeon]] ([[Forry Ackerman]] received the award on behalf of the absent Sturgeon) making [[Sturgeon]] “whether he likes it or not, an Honorary Member of SMOF.”
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| − | With the explosion of [[conventions]] in the 1970s, it became taken up as the name for a loosely organized group of experienced [[convention]] problem-solvers — former [[Worldcon]] or major convention chairs of note, gonzo hotel negotiators, noted con [[programming]] types, etc. — who got together from time to time to engage in a little [[timebinding]], pass on (or volunteer) their experience, and thereby ensure that [[fandom]] gets to do what [[fandom]] wants to do. (It now takes more [[fans]] to run a [[Worldcon]] than once attended them.) This definition was helped along by the creation of the [[Smofs List]], a [[conrunners]] email list, and later by the creation of [[Smofcon]].
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| − | [[Bruce Pelz]] once announced that he was Smof #2 — leaving it to others to fight out who is #1.
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| − | At the [[ConFusion|ConFusion]] precursor, [[A2 Relax Icon]] in 1974, [[Randy Bathurst]], [[Mike Glicksohn]], [[Rusty Hevelin]] and [[Ro Nagey]], all four wearing nothing but red bath towels around their waists and paper bags over their heads, and employing ping-pong paddles, appeared as “The Secret Masters of Fandom.”
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| − | '''See also:''' [[Smofs List]], [[SBOF]]s.
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| − | {{fanspeak | start=1963}}
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| − | [[Category:initialism]]
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