"Anorak"/ˈænəræk/ is a Britishslang term which refers to a person who has a very strong interest, perhapsobsessive, in niche subjects. This interest may be unacknowledged or not understood by the general public. The term is sometimes used synonymously with "geek" or "nerd", or the Japanese term "otaku", albeit referring to different niches.
The first use of the term to describe an obsessive fan has been credited to the radio presenterAndy Archer, who used the term in the early 1970s for fans ofoffshore radio, who would charter boats to come out to sea to visit the radio ships.[1]
In 1983, the first edition of theAnoraks UK Weekly Report was published, featuring news ofpirate radio broadcasts.[2]In 1984 theObserver newspaper used the term as ametonym for the prototype group interested in detailed trivia, thetrainspotters,[3] as members of this group often wore unfashionable but warmcagoules orparkas called "anoraks" when standing for hours on station platforms or along railway tracks, noting down details of passing trains.[4]
