Aptnouns
Aptnouns are a term that V've created to be used instead of "nicknouns". The original definition of "nicknoun" was heavily against xenogenders and neopronouns, while V am not and V feel like they are good ideas but are executed in a transphobic way.
What Are Aptnouns?
Aptnouns are similar to neopronouns, but instead of being used as pronouns, they are an alternative to neopronouns that are more accessible for those who are incapable of using/understanding neopronouns for whatever reason, while still offering a way for the individual to avoid using auxiliary pronouns.
For example: Someone uses fae/faer as faer only pronouns, but uses "fae" as an aptnoun because fae is uncomfortable with auxiliary pronouns and feels uncomfortable when people only refer to faer by name instead of using faer pronouns. You could refer to fae like "I went to the store with fae today, fae was really cool and fae bought some of fae's favorite candy for fae!" or "I went to the store with faer today, fae was really cool and fae bought some of faer favorite candy for faeself!"
Isn't this just nicknouns rebranded?
Yes! That is the point of the term. V am not transphobic like the creator(s) of the term "nicknouns", and V believe that people who use exclusively neopronouns aren't inherently ableist. However, there are a lot of people who can't understand/use neopronouns, usually due to cognotive disabilities and/or neurodivergency, and it's ableist to refuse to offer any sort of accomadation for them.
How are they different from neopronouns?
Neopronouns are actual pronouns - they follow the same patterns as other pronouns, like he/him and xe/xem. Aptnouns, however, are more similar to names, just (usually) not capitalized, but are used in place of pronouns. They're easier to understand than neopronouns, especially neopronouns that are formed uniquely, like some of vy pronouns (for example, vei/vin/vir/virs/veiself). You would list them the same as pronouns but you should list them seperately, for example "he/it, pup/growl/bark apt"
What can be an aptnoun?
Any word! For example, "fae" can be an aptnoun, "bat" can be an aptnoun, "jenny" can be an aptnoun, "xe" can be an aptnoun, etc. Keep in mind that they are formulated more like names than pronouns, so instead of saying the aptnoun as "fae/fae's/fae's self" you'd just say "fae". Also, instead of saying something like "cat went to the store and brought cats stuffed animal for catself", you'd say "cat went to the store and brought cat's stuffed animal for cat", like you would say "Max went to the store and brought Max's stuffed animal for Max". V vyself use narc, rose, plague, and void aptnouns, and may use a few others eventually as well!
Who can use aptnouns?
Anyone! You don't have to use neopronouns to use them, either, anyone can use them. V don't put restrictions on who can use vy terms/labels/etc. You can use aptnouns in place of pronouns, alongside pronouns, as a type of aux pronouns, etc. V would prefer it if you didn't use the term "aptnouns" if you hate on neopronouns, though.
Aptnoun user flag V whipped up really quickly lol:
