Minor Roots: FAN-

For temples, arenas, and other houses of worship

Saturdays are perfect days for pleasant surprises. Surprise—we’re talking about the minor root FAN- today!

Are you ready for some (American) football? I definitely am--go Giants! Yes, I'm a fan of Big Blue, the best NFL team that is from New York but plays in New Jersey. Go figure.

The word fan carries a note of excessive or even irrational zeal, fitting for a derivation of the word fanatic. After all, the root FAN- means pertaining to a temple, so fanaticism can be considered something of a divine madness. But being a fan is also fun, which makes sense when you learn that the root FAN- is connected to FEST- meaning, obviously, festive.

What words come from the root FAN-?

fane (noun) - a temple, shrine. or sacred place 

fanatic (noun) - a person who is extremely interested in something, beyond normal or rational support; someone motivated by or expressing excessive zeal

fanatical (adj) - motivated or characterized by extreme, sometimes irrational enthusiasm or interest

fanaticism (noun) - extreme beliefs or behavior involving uncritical, obsessive zeal or enthusiasm

fandom (noun) - the state or condition of being a fan of someone or something; a community or subculture of fans of the same thing 

fanfic (noun) - a term for fan fiction, as in stories written by fans involving characters from existing works 

fannish (adj) - of or pertaining to a fan or being a fan

profane (adj) - irreverent, disrespectful, or contemptuous of a god or religion; irreligious
profane is also a verb meaning to disrespect something holy or sacred

profanity (noun) - offensive, obscene, or blasphemous language; vulgarity

superfan (noun) - an extremely enthusiastic, dedicated, or obsessed fan

**ROOT RELATIONSHIPS**

FAN- also appears as a variation of the root PHAN- meaning light or shine in words like fancy and fantasy.