Trash

This article is about the Internet fannish term "Trash". See Whump for the media fanzine trope.
In fannish usage, the word trash is most commonly a self-referential, self-deprecating way to refer to one's own fannish obsessions and interests. While many fans use this term and its variants with a joyous, tongue-in-cheek attitude, for other fans, the word has an inescapably negative connotation - recollecting the long history of denigrating or belittling fans and their objects of fandom as second-rate, lowbrow, or juvenile. As a result, the term's shifting usage - from pejorative to reclaimed to full-blown meme - is often cited as evidence of the generational faultlines in fandom, or indicative of the ways in which communication norms on different platforms can shape fandom. Additionally, some fans have criticized the term as classist.
While this self-referential usage is fairly common, fans still also use "trash" in its negatively connotation, as a way to deride or dismiss something.
See also: The strange story of how internet superfans reclaimed the insult 'trash'.
==Origins and Evolution of the Term==
To trash something is to ruin it, as one might literally destroy a hotel room or metaphorically tear down another person's reputation. Trash talk refers to a practice of insults, as at a sporting event between opponents, or when someone might speak negatively about another person. In a North American context, "trash" is often used derogatorily, as in "trailer trash." "Trash TV" often describes types of television such as soap operas or reality TV, which have typically been consumed by primarily female audiences. Something that is "trashy" is often coded as low-brow or shameful, as in a trashy romance novel or junk food. Words like "junk" or "garbage" are often deployed synonymously with "trash" In many of these usages, there is a commonly understood value judgment of the "trash," which is often interrelated with the pleasure it provides. And, of course, sometimes "trash" just means trash: the garbage you take out, the junk you accumulate.
In fandom, the meaning of "trash" is highly dependent on context and affect. Fannish usage of "trash" draws on the variety of meanings and connotations generally expressed by the term, and has also accreted distinct layers of meaning within fandom. These meanings are often determined by the speaker's position in relation to the thing that's described as trash: "I'm trash" feels intuitively distinct from "that's trash," which in turn differs from "you're trash." Something that is "trash" might also be "problematic," which may be a sincere judgment of something fraught, or an ironic self-assessment.
The self-deprecating form of "trash" - i.e., "I'm trash for loving this ship" - is commonly associated with Tumblr-based fandom and kink memes, and its usage is considered by some fans to represent a divide within fandom. This may be understood as a function of differing norms on platforms, particularly where Tumblr fandom is seen as distinct from fandom cultures from other platforms or contexts; some fans also characterize this as a generational divide.
==="Trash" on fail-fandomanon: an analysis===
Comments posted to fail-fandomanon from 2013 to 2019 reflect the term's evolution within fandom. 
Usage of "trash" in 2013 on fail-fandomanon largely didn't draw on a specifically fannish meaning: lots of references to taking out the trash, usage of terms like "trailer trash" and "trash-talk." When nonnies used the word "trash" to talk about their fannish interests and experiences, it was largely in reference to content they enjoyed with an awareness of external judgmentfail-fandomanon comment. Posted on March 24, 2019. Accessed on February 14, 2019., or to content they felt was substandard or downright bad.fail-fandomanon comment. Posted on April 13, 2013. Accessed on February 14, 2019.fail-fandomanon comment. Posted on May 8, 2014. Accessed on February 14, 2019.fail-fandomanon comment. Posted on December 9, 2013. Accessed on February 14, 2019.
Some of these earlier usages reflect or echo the tone of fannish usage of "trash," which began picking up steam around this time. In September 2013, a nonnie called BBC Robin Hood "utter trash," while also identifying as part of the show's fandom.fail-fandomanon comment. Posted on September 9, 2013. Accessed on February 14, 2019. One nonnie started a thread about Hemlock Grove in May 2014, writing, "Any fans here? WTF was that? I know it's trash and something produced by Eli Roth has to be sexist but 
did they really kill like every female character in the show? And the dead lesbians! Jesus!"fail-fandomanon comment. Posted on May 3, 2014. Accessed on February 14, 2019. A nonnie described the Big Bang Theory ship Sheldon/Penny on May 4, 2014, as "delightful trash."fail-fandomanon comment. Posted on May 4, 2014. Accessed on February 14, 2019.
On fail-fandomanon, the first discussion of the fannish usage of "trash" as in "I'm trash" was in a December 27, 2013 thread:fail-fandomanon comments. Posted on December 27, 2013. Accessed on February 14, 2019. 
In January 2014, two nonnies discussed some Tumblr wank, highlighting fannish usage of "trash" as an insult or moral judgment deployed by some fans:fail-fandomanon comments. Posted on January 4, 2014. Accessed on February 14, 2019.
Continued discussion of "I'm trash" usage on fail-fandomanon in a February 2014 on "pet peeves and petty annoyance" highlighted some nonnies' frustration with the term:
Throughout 2014, discussion and usage of fannish "trash" on fail-fandomanon primarily focused on nonnies' frustrations and criticisms.One extended example of this discussion is an August 2014 thread on the phenomenon. Usages that sparked frustration included the self-deprecating "I'm trash," calling characters variants of "trash," and using "trash" as a dismissal or judgment (as in "problematic"). Some non-critical usage of "trash" did occur, such as one nonnie writing, "I don't even care that Okane ga Nai is total trash, it's brought me so much joy over the years. It's like the best BL trainwreck imaginable."fail-fandomanon comment. Posted on July 10, 2014. Accessed on February 14, 2019.; another example is an October 2014 comment describing American Horror Story as "gorgeous trash."fail-fandomanon comment. Posted on October 6, 2014. Accessed on February 14, 2019. Towards the end of the year, instances of "trash" on fail-fandomanon increasingly reference Hydra Trash Party fic and Captain America fandom.
==Fannish Usage==
In June 2013, a fail-fandomanon nonnie described a hierarchy of fanworks and their value within fandom, writing:
In a 2019 fail-fandomanon comment, one nonnie discussed "trash" characters in Game of Thrones, using the term in a self-aware, resigned fashion:
==Criticism==
In a March 2014 thread on fail-fandomanon, nonnies references the negative connotations associated with calling another person "trash."fail-fandomanon comments. Posted on March 4, 2014. Accessed on February 14, 2019.
Maggie Stiefvater, a pro author of several YA series with devoted fandoms, posted critically about fans' use of the term on April 17, 2015, in an untitled Tumblr post.
===Self-Deprecating or Self-Shaming?===
As a noun, "trash" can be an affectionate term of self-denigration, as in I am Steve/Bucky trash. A fan might say that they are "trash" for a particular ship, fandom, or trope; they might also refer to themselves as "fandom trash" in a more general sense. For many of those who are critical of the contemporary usage of "trash," the term is seen as indicative of fans' internalized shame about their passions and pursuits.
In a March 2014 comment on fail-fandomanon, a nonnie wrote:
===Classism===
(content about criticism re: classism to come here)
A fail-fandomanon user discussed the relationship between fannish usage of "I'm trash" and terms like "trailer trash" and "white trash," writing:
===Misogyny===
===Impact on Fannish Culture===
Some fans have identified the increased usage of "trash" as a negative force in fannish culture.
===Social Justice Imperative===
Some fans associate the trend of deeming problematic content as "trash" with a social justice imperative in contemporary fannish discourse.
==References==