Community Terminology

Common terminology used within the community.

ID

An alternative term for kintype, theriotype, fictotype, etc.

KINTYPE

The identity(ies) of an otherkin individual. These are not inherently or solely"fictional" or "mythical" contrary to popular belief.

LINKTYPE

The identity(ies) of an otherlinker.

KITHTYPE

The identity(ies) of a kith.

THERIOTYPE

The identity(ies) of a therian. A therian can still use the term "kintype" to refer to their identity(ies).

HEARTTYPE

The entity that an otherhearted individual identifies with.

FICTOTYPE

The fictional entity that a fictionkin individual identifies as.

FICTOLINK

The fictional entity that a otherlinker individual identifies as.

KINSONA

A character creatd by an otherkin in the furry fandom. Is widely misunderstood as a fur or persona that represents a character one may identify with.

DOUBLE

An individual with the same identity as you. This typically refers to fictional characters or members of fictional species. Not every alterhuman is comfortable with doubles. Respect this.

QUADROBICS

Quadrobics, often shortened to quads, is a sport involving movement on "all fours" (using the arms and legs to simulate quadruped locomotion similar to that of an animal). Quadrobics are not inherently alterhuman and not every alterhuman participates in them. However, the sport is often practiced by alterhumans to better connect with their identity(ies).

PSYCHOLOGICAL

The source, cause, or origin of a psychological alterhuman. This may be trauma; neurodivergence such as autism or ADHD; psychosis or other mental health disorders, imprinting; or other.

SPIRITUAL

The source, cause, or origin of a spiritual alterhuman.

CULTURAL

The source, cause, or origin of a cultural alterhuman.

HEARTHOME

Certain places, imagery, objects, and music evoke a sensation not unlike heartedness. As with heartedness, these places and items feel familiar and integral, but are not things one identifies as. They may not even feel like places that one is from. Nevertheless, such imagery resonates with such familiarity that it can be considered an aspect of one’s identity. The feeling of hearthome can vary widely. For some, it is a fictional universe that reminds one of home, but which one has never lived in. For others, real places may evoke a similar feeling; something about them resonates with one’s sense of self. [ From Aestherians on tumblr]

SPECIES DYSPHORIA

Psychological distress, confusion, or dissatisfaction due to feelings of incongruence between one's biological species and species identity.

SPECIES EUPHORIA

Feelings of euphoria or satisfaction with oneself or their species. This may be achieved after using gear, participating in quads, watching source media, being referred to as their identity(s), etc.

GEAR

Objects such as tails, horns, collars, paws, necklaces, ears, t-shirts, or otherwise which help an individual feel more connected to their identity(ies). However, this isn't necessary to be an alterhuman.

AWAKENING

The process of realizing and accepting that you are an alterhuman. Some might say somewhere during childhood, although it differs from being to being. Some say the awakening is when they found out about the alterhuman community. Not every alterhuman aligns with this experience.

PACK

The "found family" of an alterhuman, notably therians.

NONKIN

Uses to describe an individual who is not otherkin. Please be mindful that this term does not refer to individuals who are not alterhuman, and not every alterhuman is an otherkin.

ANTIKIN

Used to describe an individual who is against the otherkin community. This term is not a self-identifier and should not be used to describe oneself.

KINNIE

A word used in the past to mock and belittle the otherkin community, and used today commonly in KFF and misappropriation spaces. Many otherkin agree that the term was made to sound similar to the T slur, however, it's exact origins cannot be traced. The word in itself is not a slur, however, but is best not used due to its problematic history and controversial connotation.