Bringing this over from Twitter...
A very basic PSA on otherkin+ terms!
1. Kin. See otherkin, fictionkin, factkin. To identify AS something, such as a mythical creature, earthly animal, fictional character, or someone that exists (or existed) in the world. Often spiritually based, and aren’t a choice. Tend to have “shifts”. Fictionkin and factkin are NOT the same thing as fictives and factives, although sysmates can have kintypes, too!
2. Kith. To identifying strongly WITH something, but not AS it. Can be spiritual or not. Usually not seen as a choice, but experiences vary. Kith don’t usually have “shifts” like kin tend to.
3. Otherhearted, animalhearted. To identifying strongly WITH something, but not AS it. For example “cat-hearted”, “dragon-hearted”, etc. Again, individual experiences differ, but can be spiritual or not, and may or may not be considered a choice. Doesn’t usually “shift” like kin.
4. Synpath. Used to describe feeling a profound connecting WITH something, but not AS it. Again, individual experiences differ, but can be spiritual or not, and may or may not be considered a choice. Doesn’t usually “shift” like kin.
5. Copinglink(er). AKA “clink”/“clinker”. Identifying as OR with something as a coping mechanism. Often psychological. May or may not be, but is often seen as an intentional connection formed for mental and emotional purposes. Could have “shifts” similar to kin.
6. “Shift” is when someone “shifts” to feeling more like their kintype. Often a change in mental or emotional perception, but can include the bodily sensation of wings, tails, etc. Often involuntary, but can sometimes be induced. Generally positive, but can be uncomfortable.
May also indicate a specific kintype if they have more than one. For example, “I was in a dragon shift, but now I’m in an eel shift.” Short for “shapeshift.” Not to be confused with “fronting”, which is specifically for plural systems to indicate which sysmate is out.
7. “Kintype” is the term for someone’s nonhuman identity. For example, “My kintype is a bullfrog.” Kinfolk can have more than one kintype. This is sometimes called being “polykin”. For those preferring the term therian, the equivalent is “theriotype”.
FYI: It’s often seen as incorrect to say “my kins”; it is seen as more correct to say “my kintypes”, as “kin” is what you are, not something you have.
8. Therianthropes, or therians, are often seen as related to but different from otherkin— otherkin often being mythical animals, and therians being earthly animals. Some feel therians are more different still, with some feeling it is closer to lycanthropy. YMMV! Ask people.
Adding onto this, which wasn’t in the original thread, but:
9. “KFF”, aka, “kin for fun”. Started off as a way to mock kinfolk. People who vibe with an animal, object, character, whatever, and use the term “kin” or “kinnies” for that experience. HERE is a very good post on why KFF tends to be detrimental to the kin community, other terms that would be better suited for the experience, and in general why it’s NOT the same thing as otherkin/fictionkin/factkin.
10. “Fictive” is a term for an individual within a plural system, who is someone-- or is from somewhere-- that is fictional in this world. Can sometimes be spiritual, sometimes not. Can be brought into the system on purpose, but usually isn’t. Some see themselves as having really existed somewhere in the multiverse. They are NOT the same thing as fictionkin, though some can also be kin, too!
11. “Factive” is a term for an individual within a plural system, who is someone that did-- or still does-- exist in this world. Can be someone historical, celebrities, or people the system knew personally like friends, family, pets, or abusers. Can sometimes be spiritual, sometimes not. Can be brought into the system on purpose, but usually isn’t. They are NOT the same thing as factkin, though some can also be kin, too!
This is a VERY fast and simplified explanation on common terms. Please, please do some research beyond this if needed, and TALK to people who are therians/kinfolk. While terms tend to have a set meaning, beliefs among individuals are beautifully diverse. TY for reading!
