gafia

Noun capitalized: GAFIA

GAFIA (uncountable)

1. (dated, slang) The state of becoming involved in science fiction and fandom activity, leaving the mundane world.
   • gafia - (Wilson) - Get Away From It All; motto of escapism.1944, John Bristol Speer, “G - Guild”, in Fancyclopedia
   • So once again there were only 2 Fen, and while one picked up his obliterine and turned toward Mimi, the other, an escapist, picked up a prozine to gafia.c. 1944, Forrest J Ackerman, “Fantasy Flanguage”, in What is Science Fiction Fandom?, page 27
2. (dated, slang) The state of exiting or becoming inactive in fandom.
   • Just a minor siege of GAFIA, from which, eventually, I will once again develop an enthusiasm for stf. At least I hope so. ¶ Etymological note for the benefit of fans who haven't met the word before: GAFIA is an intermittent affliction of fans. The letters stand for Getting Away From It All....1950 April, Arthur H. Rapp, “Timber!”, in Spacewarp, volume 7, number 1 (#37 overall)
   • All computers had done was to speed up the process. New fans turned up more quickly, disappeared into gafia within months, if not weeks.1996 November, Ted White, “The Purple Fields Of Fanac”, in Science-Fiction Five-Yearly, number 10, page 7