Lego fandom

Adult members of the Lego fandom are called adult fans of Lego (AFOL).{{Cite book |last=Jennings |first=Nancy A. |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5r_ADwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Adult+Fan+of+Lego%22&pg=PA221 |title=Cultural Studies of LEGO: More Than Just Bricks |date=2019-11-27 |publisher=Springer Nature |isbn=978-3-030-32664-7 |editor-last=Hains |editor-first=Rebecca C. |pages= |language=en |chapter="It's All About the Brick": Mobilizing Adult Fans of LEGO |editor-last2=Mazzarella |editor-first2=Sharon R. |access-date=2023-01-29 |archive-date=2023-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202040412/https://books.google.com/books?id=5r_ADwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Adult+Fan+of+Lego%22&pg=PA221 |url-status=live }}{{Rp|page=221}}{{Cite book |last1=Cook |first1=Roy T. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8okpDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Adult+Fan+of+Lego%22&pg=PA227 |title=LEGO and Philosophy: Constructing Reality Brick By Brick |last2=Bacharach |first2=Sondra |date=2017-06-13 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-1-119-19398-2 |pages= |language=en |access-date=2023-01-29 |archive-date=2023-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202040348/https://books.google.com/books?id=8okpDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Adult+Fan+of+Lego%22&pg=PA227 |url-status=live }}{{Rp|page=227}} Many AFOLs design complex sets, known as MOCs ("My Own Creation"), sometimes using computer software such as LDraw or MLCAD for their planning. Such sets may be intended for public display during various events, and some have attracted media attention, such as Sean Kenney's model of Yankee Stadium, a {{convert|6|ft||adj=mid|spell=in|-wide}} and {{convert|5|ft||adj=mid|spell=in|-long}} construction of 45,000 pieces created over a period of three years, or Mark Borlase's Star Wars Hoth diorama of 60,000 bricks and four-year construction time.{{Rp|page=|pages=123–124}} Many AFOLs have dedicated "Lego rooms" in their houses.{{Rp|page=124}}

Activities of more dedicated AFOLs go beyond creating Lego models, and include attending Lego conventions, participating in online Lego communities, and less often, cosplay, writing fanfiction or drawing fan art.{{Rp|pages=248-249}}

Large AFOL conventions include events such as Brickworld, BrickFair, or Bricks by the Bay.{{Rp|page=123}}

Many AFOLs self-identify as "geeks" or "nerds".{{Rp|page=123}} In the United States, in the mid-2010s, most AFOLs were white, college-educated males in their 20s or 30s, although as time goes, the age of the average member of the community is steadily increasing, as more people who grew up with Lego become middle-aged or older.{{Cite book |last=Garlen |first=Jennifer C |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GSwFAgAAQBAJ&dq=%22Block+party:+A+look+at+adult+fans+of+LEGO%22&pg=PP1 |title=Fan CULTure: Essays on Participatory Fandom in the 21st Century |date=2013-11-07 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-7418-9 |editor-last=Barton |editor-first=Kristin M. |pages= |language=en |chapter=Block party: A look at adult fans of LEGO |editor-last2=Lampley |editor-first2=Jonathan Malcolm |access-date=2023-01-29 |archive-date=2023-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202040342/https://books.google.com/books?id=GSwFAgAAQBAJ&dq=%22Block+party:+A+look+at+adult+fans+of+LEGO%22&pg=PP1 |url-status=live }}{{Rp|pages=121-122}} AFOLs usually played with Lego sets as kids, and rediscovered the hobby at some later time in their nostalgic adulthood.{{Rp|page=|pages=123, 125}}

The Lego Group recognizes the AFOL community as an important part of its customer base and maintains a number of outreach programs connecting it to the fan community.{{Rp|page=xxvi}} In some cases, entire official Lego sets can be seen as intended not for children but for adult fans.{{Cite web |last=Garlen |first=Jennifer |date=2011-11-15 |title=Virtual Virago: Block Party: A Look at Adult Fans of LEGO |url=https://virtualvirago.blogspot.com/2011/11/block-party-look-at-adult-fans-of-lego.html |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=Virtual Virago |archive-date=2023-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121131607/https://virtualvirago.blogspot.com/2011/11/block-party-look-at-adult-fans-of-lego.html |url-status=live }}

Lego fans have coined a large variety of jargon, many of which are acronyms or initialisms. The Lego Group also uses some of these terms.

• AFOL {{emdash}} adult fan(s) of Lego{{cite web |title=Glossary of Popular LEGO Terms |url=https://sealug.org/glossary/ |publisher=SEALUG [Seattle Area LEGO Users Group] |access-date=24 April 2025}}{{cite web |title=Lego Glossary |url=https://www.brothers-brick.com/lego-glossary/ |publisher=The Brothers Brick |access-date=24 April 2025}}
• BAM {{emdash}} Build-a-Minifigure,{{cite web |title=First look at the April 2025 LEGO Build-a-Minifigure (BAM) selection! |url=https://jaysbrickblog.com/news/first-look-april-2025-lego-build-a-minifigure-bam-selection/ |website=Jay's Brick Blog |access-date=24 April 2025 |date=2025-03-29}} minifigure pieces sold at retail Lego Stores with occasional exclusive parts
• BI {{emdash}} building instructions
• BURP {{emdash}} big ugly rock piece
• CC {{emdash}} classic Castle, a popular retired Lego theme
• GWP {{emdash}} gift with purchase,{{cite web |title=VIP Reversible Canvas Bag |url=https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/vip-reversible-canvas-bag-5005910 |publisher=The Lego Group |access-date=24 April 2025 |quote=Free LEGO VIP Reversible Canvas Tote GWP (5005910) offer is valid for VIP purchases at LEGO.com and LEGO Catalogue telephone orders from 1/10/2019 to 13/10/2019, while stocks last.}} usually an exclusive set
• LAN {{emdash}} Lego Ambassador Network{{cite web |last1=Lyon |first1=Joshua |title=How to Become an Adult Lego Master |url=https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/adult-lego-masters/ |publisher=Wirecutter |access-date=24 April 2025 |date=2023-07-21}}
• LUG {{emdash}} Lego user(s) group
• LURP {{emdash}} little ugly rock piece
• MF {{emdash}} minifig, a Lego minifigure
• MOC {{emdash}} my own creation, a build made without following official Lego instructions
• PAB {{emdash}} Pick-a-Brick, pieces sold in bulk at retail Lego Stores
• SNOT {{emdash}} studs not on top,{{cite web |title=Learn Why Snot Rocks |url=https://kids.lego.com/et-ee/video/copy-of-learn-why-snot-rocks-39289615afe042d5a6ad77a9121e0573 |publisher=The Lego Group |access-date=24 April 2025 |quote=It may sound funny, but SNOT is no joke. It stands for ‘Studs Not On Top’ and it’s a great way of building with LEGO bricks!}} referring to a brick with studs e.g. on the side or bottom
• UCS {{emdash}} Ultimate Collector Series,{{cite web |title=LEGO Ultimate Collector Series |url=https://www.lego.com/en-us/categories/ultimate-collector-series |publisher=The Lego Group |access-date=24 April 2025 |quote=If the idea of building a collectible LEGO Star Wars display piece sounds exciting to you, look no further than the LEGO UCS range!}} a Lego theme of detailed display builds aimed at adults

• LUGNET
• The Art of the Brick

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Category:Lego

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