Slang dictionary
headcanon
[ hed-kan-uhn ]
What does headcanon mean?
Headcanon is a slang term for someone鈥檚 personal interpretation of or belief about the details of a fictional story that aren鈥檛 part of the 鈥渙fficial鈥� account.
In pop culture, the word canon refers to the aspects of a story or fictional 鈥渨orld鈥� or 鈥渦niverse鈥� that are considered to be 鈥渙fficial鈥濃�攎eaning they have been confirmed within the story or in some other way (for example, an author or director might confirm something to be canon in an interview or in bonus material).
In contrast, headcanon is simply what a fan believes (or wants) to be true about a story. It can involve backstory, what happens after the story ends, or any other aspect. Headcanon often involves shipping, which is the practice of romantically linking two characters who don鈥檛 have any romantic interactions in the actual story.
Of course, it is possible for someone鈥檚 headcanon to become canon if such details later become part of the story or are confirmed as true in some way.
Sometimes, the term is used in the context of theories that are intended to be humorous or ridiculous, as opposed to serious interpretations.
Example: In my headcanon, Augustus Gloop wins the lifetime supply of chocolate after Willy Wonka admits he never said not to drink from the chocolate river. #JusticeforAugustus
Where does headcanon come from?
In headcanon, the word canon refers to the facts of a story that are confirmed to have happened or that are otherwise considered 鈥渙fficial.鈥�
The word head is used in reference to the fact that headcanon is only true in a fan鈥檚 head (that is, their thoughts or imagination)鈥攊t consists of their own interpretation or beliefs about a story.
The term headcanon has been used since at least 2007, when it was used by authors of fan fiction to refer to aspects they personally believed to be true.
My own personal headcanon makes this show so much more ridiculous. And awesome.
— bitter bisexual imp (@queenofzan)
Examples of headcanon
Who uses headcanon?
Headcanon is most commonly used by members of fan communities. It鈥檚 sometimes used jokingly when presenting especially wild theories.
In my headcanon, Elton John鈥檚 鈥淩ocketman鈥� is just a prequel to David Bowie鈥檚 鈥淪pace Oddity鈥�
— Brent Black (@brentalfloss)
so if a character has no canon sexuality and you see a lesbian headcanon her as a lesbian, please just mind your own business and be kind. thank you.
— sky 鈿� pinned (@darthsappho)
Headcanon: the TARDIS takes the Doctor where he needs to be, not where he wants to go. Since I was about six or seven. So I finally wrote it down.
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself)
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of headcanon like most terms we define on 亚洲网紅露点, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of headcanon that will help our users expand their word mastery.