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This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
The word shipping has appeared relatively recently, but it has already become an important part of modern internet culture, especially among young people. This term comes from the English word shipping, which means "supporting romantic or friendly relationships between two people." And if for some this concept remains mysterious, for fans of movies, series, or video games, it is an everyday term that symbolizes more than just the desire to see two people together.
Origin of the word
At first glance, the word shipping may seem strange, as it is associated with ships (ship in English means "ship"). But in the context of relationships, this word has taken on a completely different meaning. The term originated in the 1990s within fan communities of the series The X-Files, where some fans began to actively support the romantic relationship between the main characters of the series - Mulder and Scully. These fans were called relationshippers or simply shippers. And even then, shipping became a separate phenomenon.
What does shipping mean?
In modern understanding, shipping means creating or supporting the idea of possible romantic or friendly relationships between two characters (real or fictional), regardless of whether these relationships actually exist. These can be characters from books, movies, series, video games, or even real celebrities. Fans can actively "ship" these characters, creating fanfics, art, or memes that describe the development of their relationships.
How does it work?
If you have ever watched a series and thought, "These two just have to be together!", then you already know how it works. Shippers literally imagine or dream about their favorite characters falling in love or becoming best friends. And it doesn't matter if there are hints of such relationships in the real storyline. Shippers often go against canon - the official plot development - and create their own versions of events.
Types of shipping:
There are several forms of shipping that have already become standard in internet culture:
- Canonical shipping - supporting romantic relationships between characters that are already an official part of the plot (for example, Ron and Hermione from Harry Potter).
- Fan shipping - supporting relationships between characters that are not officially a couple, but fans see them together. For example, the fan shipping of Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy (Drarry) is popular among fans.
- Crossover shipping - supporting relationships between characters from different fandoms. For example, someone might "ship" Loki from Marvel with Harry Potter.
- Real shipping - shipping real people, such as celebrities or bloggers. This is a more controversial type, as shippers can sometimes invade the personal space of these individuals.
Why do people ship?
Shipping often arises from fans' desire to see more character development of those they love. Fans want to see their favorite heroes interact on a new level - romantic or friendly. It is also a form of creativity, where people express their emotions, fantasies, and ideas through shipping.
Another reason is the creation of an alternative reality that reflects fans' desires. In some cases, fans use shipping to rewrite scenarios in such a way that the heroes fit their own ideas of ideal relationships.
Are there negative sides to shipping?
Although shipping seems like an innocent pastime, it can have negative consequences. For example, in the case of real shipping, when people start to excessively interfere in the personal lives of celebrities or bloggers, it can lead to unpleasant situations. There are also instances of conflicts within fandoms over different pairs that fans ship.
Moreover, an excessive focus on unrealistic relationships can create distorted expectations in people regarding real relationships. This can cause a certain disconnect between fantasy and reality.
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