larper

Noun capitalized: LARPer

LARPer (plural LARPers)

1. A person who takes part in LARP (live-action role-play).
   • “Which is why I'm thinking LARPer,” Griffith argued. “Goths interact with non-Goths more in LARPing than anywhere else. And there are non-Goth look people that hang with the Goths.”2006, John Ringo, Princess of Wands
   • Gwyther founded Larping.org five years ago as a community hub where LARPers could talk to each other and find local events. Over time, he also started selling certain items useful to LARPers, like leather and metal armor, latex weapons, and foam arrows.2016 February 19, Joe Mullin, “Archery company sues LARPer over patents, then files gag motion to silence him”, in Ars Technica
2. (broadly, derogatory) Someone who pretends to be part of a movement or group, often for the sake of gaining social status.
   • The extremists were never entirely sure who among them was a true believer, who a mole, and who more a LARPer than otherwise.
   • Real-world events will confront young urban Catholics with the full implications of Catholic doctrine, making it hard to view the rosary as a fashion statement. Over time, these developments will sort the converts from the LARPers.2022 August 9, Julia Yost, “New York’s Hottest Club Is the Catholic Church”, in The New York Times, →ISSN