filk

/filk/ , n.,v. [from SF fandom, where a typo for folk was adopted as a new
word] Originally, a popular or folk song with lyrics revised or completely
new lyrics and/or music, intended for humorous effect when read, and/or to
be sung late at night at SF conventions. More recently (especially since the
late 1980s), filk has come to include a great deal of originally-composed
music on SFnal or fantasy themes and a range of moods wider than simple
parody or humor. Worthy of mention here because there is a flourishing
subgenre of filks called computer filks , written by hackers and often
containing rather sophisticated technical humor. See double bucky for an
example. Compare grilf , hing , pr0n , and newsfroup.

