Message-Id: <61AC5C9A4B9CD11181A200805F57CD5408B8FD0D@RED-MSG-44>
From: Keith Savage <keithsa@MICROSOFT.com>
To: minstrel@pbm.com
Subject: RE: What filk *isn't* (was minstrel: Re: To All Filkers )
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1998 11:05:01 -0700 
Sender: owner-minstrel@rt.com
Precedence: bulk

...don't mean to disagree with anyone else's definition of filk, but the
working definition of filk that I am the most familiar with and the one that
in my experience is the most "popular" is contained below
(paraphrased/synthesized from multiple "filk web sites" and dictionaries of
slang and popular culture):

filk - 
A popular (or folk) song/tune with lyrics revised or completely new lyrics.
Often intended for humorous effect when read/or sung.  There are many
flourishing subgenera - SF, Techie, Fantasy, even various categories about
the woes of work.  Thought to have originated from SF fandom, where a typo
for "folk" was adopted as a new word.  Also "culturally" generally intended
to be performed "late at night" or in an informal atmosphere after more
"official" proceedings have ended.

I personally appreciate new "medieval" lyrics to existing tunes almost
anytime.  I prefer that the often humorous but clearly modern remain at late
night or informal venues.  I make the same designations to wholly original
works also - anytime for something that doesn't jar me into the present,
later at night for the original humor pieces.

...of course we will all have different opinions of the musical selections
that would jar us into the present...

Gryphon

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