The Evolution of “Lore”: From Old English to Online Slang
The Journey of “Lore” Through History
The term “lore” has an intriguing past, originating from Old English. Initially, it meant learning or education. Over the years, its definition evolved to signify informal knowledge shared through spoken word.
In 1846, British writer William J Thoms coined the term “folklore”. By 2024, “lore” was a strong contender for Oxford’s word of the year.
The Modern Significance of “Lore”
Today, “lore” often refers to the knowledge base related to a person, fictional universe, or character. This usage is prevalent in fandom culture.
Fans have always delved deep into media, analyzing, discussing, and tracking favorite storylines and character arcs. This is particularly true for science fiction and fantasy genres due to their intricate narratives.
In 1969, Bjo Trimble, a science fiction fan and writer, self-published the first edition of the Star Trek Concordance. This unofficial reference book contained timelines, plot summaries, character biographies, and more, which could now be considered Star Trek lore.
Fans continue to create zines, write fan fiction, organize conventions, and develop vast archives of fan-works. Through these activities, fans contribute to a collective intelligence or lore.
Fandom and Mainstream Culture
Fandom has significantly evolved since the early days of Star Trek. Fan activities have moved online, increasing their reach and visibility. Television has also changed, embracing the narrative complexity and innovation made possible by active fandoms.
Fan culture has become mainstream, with direct communication between fans and producers and the creative possibilities of transmedia storytelling. Media now encourages audiences to participate in investigating, cataloguing, and circulating lore.
Pop Lore: From K-pop to Taylor Swift
Lore inspires transmedia storytelling, as seen in K-pop. Bands engage with fans through music, concepts, and expanding storytelling universes.
For instance, BTS’s Bangtan Universe is a fictional alternate universe spanning music videos, webtoons, short films, mobile games, books, and more. This cross-platform storytelling encourages fans to piece together the lore.
Taylor Swift, known as the “queen of easter eggs,” also uses hidden messages and inter-textual references in her work, creating an extensive archive of Swift lore.
Sharing Lore on TikTok
In the digital age, “lore” extends beyond fictional universes and celebrities to include everyday people and their online stories. On TikTok, users share stories about their lives and experiences, or their “lore”.
These stories, or lore, are “dropped” in short videos about notable events, defining experiences, relationships, and family stories. These playful retellings reimagine real life through narrative conventions of heroism, romance, and comic misadventure.
Stories are fleeting yet connected via hashtags, responded to, and remade, fostering digital intimacies. The circulation of lore is both user-generated and algorithmically curated.
Lore in the Era of Data and Affective Capitalism
In the context of the datalogical turn and the rise of affective capitalism, personal lore becomes valuable data to be commodified.
“Lore” is an old term with a modern twist, representing the convergence of digital media, identity, and intimacy.
