Know what a ‘gay ship’ is?

[Helen_Combe]

In the novel I’m reading, I came across ‘gay ship’ which I had to look up to get the meaning ‘gay relationship’, a term often used in fan fiction.

Now. Am I just showing my age? Is this an international understanding difference? Or is the author using a term only known in the fan fiction niche?

I look forward to hearing your opinions.

[Louanne Piccolo]

Well Helen, if you're showing your age, then so am I!
The title of your post got my attention because I was wondering, "What on earth is that?" and then when I read the post it was a bit of a lightbulb moment. It seems obvious once you actually know what it is, but if you had just let us guess, I would've been lost.
So, I'm going to say that it's just in fan fiction because I like to think I'm not that outdated - I have teens who keep me on my toes

[Helen_Combe]

Thank you, I thought that might be the answer.

[Ilaria_]

Don't worry, it's only used to talk about fanfiction. Shipping two characters simply means you think they look cute together as a couple. "Ships" also have their names, for example "Romione" is the couple Ron + Hermione from Harry Potter

[Helen_Combe]

We learn something new every day. Thank you

[lisalynn]

A "ship" is a relationship. Yes, it's a mainstay in fan fiction. This involves stories about two characters who will probably never be a couple in the canon work, but the fan wants to see them together. Straight characters become gay, characters from two different movies or series cross-over into each other's worlds, or an alternate universe is created for the characters to live in.

[evraealtana]

"Ship" can also be used as a verb, indicating support for a couple, especially a couple that isn't canon in the storyline.

"There was some serious Harry/Hermione subtext in that chapter. I'm SO not a fan."
"Really? I dunno, man. I kinda ship it."
"You're a HarMione shipper?! Eew! What?!"
"Oh, stop. You shipped Dumbledore and McGonagall. You have no room to talk."

[CommMayo]

I once raced against a really cool schooner on a long distance race. They had a huge rainbow flag on it and they all showed up to the after party wearing suits made out of gold lame with top hats. Apparently that is the second definition of a "gay ship."

[Tobewankenobe]

It's not showing your age, so much as that term is for a specific niche.