The word Foamer is an insult to people who have Autism. F stands for an expletive we can not say, O stands for Overreactive, A stands for Arrogant, M is for Mentally Retarded, E is for Eccentric, and R is for Railfans. It is a bad word and it should not be in anyone's vocabulary. The acronym is as bad as the word and nobody should say it ever.
A railfan is someone who likes trains and photographs them also has a collection of memorabilia books and models. Foamer is an acronymic insult used by those in the industry and other railfan to hate young railfan to start a fight. Foamer stands for (expletive) Overreactive Arrogant Mentally Retarded Eccentric Railfans and both words are extremely bad it should never be said and should never be used in any vocabulary.
The term "foamer" predates current autism awareness by many years. Many, many years.
While I sympathize with those dealing with autism, this is clearly over the top over-sensitivity. What's next? Can't refer to the white sudsy stuff on top of my adult beverage as "foam?"
It's all about context.
Remember - Judas is a name. "You Judas" is a biblical epithet.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
geomodelrailroaderThe word Foamer is an insult to people who have Autism. F stands for an expletive we can not say, O stands for Overreactive, A stands for Arrogant, M is for Mentally Retarded, E is for Eccentric, and R is for Railfans. It is a bad word and it should not be in anyone's vocabulary. The acronym is as bad as the word and nobody should say it ever.
The world needs to grow a pair in their Big Boy pants. Because you breathe, someone, somewhere thinks you shouldn't.
The English language (and all other languages) have context as a part of their ability to communicate. Words used in one context precipitate a war and in another context can facilitate peace. The word is not the offender, it is the context the word is used in that does the trick. Witness the current Insurance Company TV ad with the teen age girl and early middle age 'businessman' - they are saying the very same words, but communicating diametrically opposed thoughts.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
And I gotta say - that's the first time I've ever seen that description - even as long as this thread ran while active.
The foam most people associate with "foamer" is either that which occurs in the boiler, or that which drips from the mouth of the "rabid" railfan at the sight of a train.
Of all my years on the railroad - the only times I've heard someone use the term "foamer" , the person using the term was a railfan/foamer themselves. The term isn't used much by the 'regular' non-railfan employees around here at least.
And I've never seen the full spelled-put acronym that was described here. I think someone made that up after the fact in an effort to take offense. What do the cool people call it now? Being triggered?
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
zugmann Of all my years on the railroad - the only times I've heard someone use the term "foamer" , the person using the term was a railfan/foamer themselves. The term isn't used much by the 'regular' non-railfan employees around here at least. And I've never seen the full spelled-put acronym that was described here. I think someone made that up after the fact in an effort to take offense. What do the cool people call it now? Being triggered?
Johnny
I have heard railroaders on the radio refer to "FRN"s, where R=Rail and N=Nut, and the F word is best not typed out. But that might be limited to specific areas. The term "foamers" seems to be used mostly by railfans, referring to the very enthusiastic but rather naive segment of the community. As sometimes at a steam special, "foam was thick on the ground".
Around here I've always heared it as a statement of endearment and self-mocking. As with most things, what it important is how it is said, not what is said.
geomodelrailroader [posted dec6,2016 @0239am] A railfan is someone who likes trains and photographs them also has a collection of memorabilia books and models. Foamer is an acronymic insult used by those in the industry and other railfan to hate young railfan to start a fight. Foamer stands for (expletive) Overreactive Arrogant Mentally Retarded Eccentric Railfans and both words are extremely bad it should never be said and should never be used in any vocabulary.
"Posted by geomodelrailroader on Tuesday, December 06, 2016 2:34 AM
I noticed the above two post on this Thread on the afternoon of Dec 7. I had read them and decided that the poster was was probably suffering from a case of over-sensitivity caused by insomnia.. I had decided not to to add anything, but after some thought I could not let it go without a comment.
Autism (ASDA spectrum disorder ) is a very problematic condition, with many manifestations and diagnoses; it is not to be made light of. It is one of those conditions that has gained more and more publicity, over the last few years. If interested here's a link to start with@ http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm
I would question as to motivation, why someone would go back to a thread that has content from May of2009 to current. Then try and start a confrontation on a subject of 'Foaming' that has its roots going back a number of years in this railfan hobby. Anyone monitoring thses Forums and Magazine content since 2011 would have a pretty good idea as to the implied meanings, as well as, the definitions of the term 'foamer'.
Go back and re-read this Thread and its posts. Your question is answered pretty well all the way back to the original post. The if you want to set up a strawman and troll. I would advise that you go for it, and look for some psychological counciling for yourself as well.
Languages change... mainly due to ignorance. People hear a word they don't know and assign a meaning that sort of fits their concept of what was being said, or because it sounds like some other word they sort'a know. Or just because they feel like it.
I can think of dozens of words that have changed over my life-time and I have to be careful of my use of some of them.
Refer to the "Gay Nineties" and you have to specify whether you are referring to the "carefree 1890's" or the "homosexual revolution of the 1990's".
"Bad" for a while meant "Good" [Michael Jackson's song, "I'm Bad, I'm Bad"]
Charlton Heston got in trouble for using the word "Niggardly" in a speech, but the word means "Stingy" and has no racial overtones, other than the 1st 2 syllables.
The ignorant and insensitive people that use the word “Foamer” in reference to Autism probably never heard the word used in reference to fans of Trains.
I can certainly take offense at the use of ANY word if I want to put my mind to changing it to an acronym… or I can accept it as a compliment if I decide on a different set of words to make it an acronym. Free, Open And Merry Excellent Railfan. Fine Observer And Minister of Ecumenical Railroading. Financer Of Antique Master Egg Rollers. Before you complain that my “Acronymising” the word FOAMER… I don’t see my choices as any stupider than those mentioned above in reference to Autism.
ACRONYM = A Coded Rendition Of Names Yielding Meaning.
Or make it plural!
ACRONYMS = A Coded Rendition Of Names Yielding Meaning, Sometimes..
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
Years ago I read that "foam" has applied to railfans meant "far out and mental". That's why I rarely use the term, reserving it for the few bad apples in railfandom that make the rest look bad.
My coworkers use foamer for all railfans. (Well, maybe not when someone has brought their child or grandchild down to see a train go by.) FRN used to be used, but foamer seems to have become the more favored term.
Most of my co-workers know I'm a railfan. Some have asked me if I'm a foamer. They haven't heard the far out and mental thing, rather thinking the general version of someone be so excited that they are foaming at the mouth when they see a train. I tell them that I'll admit to being a FRN but not a foamer and then tell them the rest.
Jeff
Semper Vaporo People hear a word they don't know and assign a meaning that sort of fits their concept of what was being said, or because it sounds like some other word they sort'a know. Or just because they feel like it.
Reminds me of a former co-worker who never used a nickle word if a malaprop quarter word might sound more important. When they asked me to "initialize" my time card, I was often tempted to ask for an eraser...
I was out and about the other day and noted someone that seems to have retroactively assigned an acronym to the word printed in big white letters on those big red octagonal street signs at intersections... seems the word means:
"Slight Tap On Pedal"
The fool seemed to trust that I had good reaction time, which fortunately for him, I just barely did.
Semper Vaporo I was out and about the other day and noted someone that seems to have retroactively assigned an acronym to the word printed in big white letters on those big red octagonal street signs at intersections... seems the word means: "Slight Tap On Pedal" The fool seemed to trust that I had good reaction time, which fortunately for him, I just barely did.
I was told once it meant, "State Trooper On Patrol".
Semper Vaporo"Slight Tap On Pedal"
But, I totally paused... (from the movie "Clueless")
In the micro-brew, beer geek and craft beer world there are people that will be at an event at a brewery and then take the brewer to task in a manner similar to this: "Why didn't you use more finishing hops?" "Why don't you make a pale ale with a little wheat?" and so forth. Always a somewhat critical opinion that the person trying to have a viable business just has to answer. The proper response should be, "Why don't you open your own damned brewery?" I see similarities to the foamer.
Another is when at a classic car show, someone will nitpick a car and find all kinds of things that are not "original." This happens at shows all the time which is one reason that I don't put my cars in shows anymore. One guy kept on about the additional gauges on the dashboard that were installed who knows when. "No, they aren't original but so what?" He said, "well that just isn't right." I asked him if he owned a car like mine. He said no. I said, "why not peddle your papers?" Everyone around cracked up.
In my book, "Foamer" is a derrogatory term for those who are so over the top they make a bad name for the rest of us "normal" railfans and present a danger to themselves and others. I don't really have a problem with foamers who have mental illnesses such as autism, ect., since they can't help it for the most part, and as long as they are supervised (if need be) so as not to become a danger when around active railroad environments.
Many railroad employees I know don't mind us "buffs/railfans/enthusiasts" (whichever you call yourself), as we tend to mind our own businuess and stay out of the way so they can do their job. My problem and theirs are with the "foamers" who are willing to do anything to get that picture, including tresspass, break and enter, and more, but should know better.
The foamers we all hate are the ones who will actually threaten employees, groups/museums, and others because they did something they don't like, or were told they were tresspassing. I've seen foamers put on Hi-vis vests and walk around active yards and railroad lines thinking it's okay. Their excuse? "I know everything there is to know about trains, I know what I'm doing"
I know a railroad employee who lost his job, and from there, his home because a foamer took a picture of him dismounting a locomotive in the wrong way and reported him. This has happened to many others, sadly.
These people (foamers) are downright dangerous to themselves and others, and on top of it are downright annoying and embaressing to the rest of us; espeacially when they talk everything about trains to anyone in earshot, as if they even understand what they're talking about. Classically, I see the family of four trying to enjoy themselves and get away from him, obviously walking away while he chases after them to share his next "fact". No wonder "normal" people and railroaders think ALL of us are like that.
I was visiting IRM this past summer, where you can go up a set of steps to look into the cab and talk with the crew;and one guy was just going off on the crew about how they should paint it this way and that way, and the marker light were in the wrong place, and (I'm quoting him here) "That's not how the Frisco fired their locmotives, you're doing it wrong! Don't bother firing if you can't do it right!" Then, to my disbelief, he asked for a cab ride, and told them to #^&$ themselves when told "no". I went up to the crew, saying "We're not all like that you know, us guys on the ground taking pictures, we volunteer where we can and respect you for what you do" The fireman smiled and said "We know, if we thought there was no such thing as a decent railfan out there, we would have sold this thing for scrap and left long ago, we're here for the decent people like you."
We've all seen the kind of people I've described above around various places, and I (rightfully) have a disdain for them. They should know better, but they still go out and do this kind of stuff. If you're widely considered a "foamer" or "one of those guys" by other people, you've really done something wrong to earn that title.
Posted by S. Connor on Monday, December 12, 2016 12:34 PM [In part copied from his post] "...We've all seen the kind of people I've described above around various places, and I (rightfully) have a disdain for them. They should know better, but they still go out and do this kind of stuff. If you're widely considered a "foamer" or "one of those guys" by other people, you've really done something wrong to earn that title..."
The final part of S.Conor's statement is so true. Anyone who has railfanned around has seen the architypical FOAMER. They are hard to miss, generally obnoxious and somewhat insanely present at a lot of venues. They are the 'picture in one's mind' when the term Foamer is mentioned. Anyone that has any doubts of what a Foamer can mean is welcome to go to YouTube.com
@https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=railroad+foamer
There you should be a whole list of these insane nutjobs preforming for the cameras; while making themselves look like a mule's behind.
The S&NC skit was staged, but certainly fits the bill! (That's the RR's GM's voice, as I understand it...)
geomodelrailroader The word Foamer is an insult to people who have Autism. F stands for an expletive we can not say, O stands for Overreactive, A stands for Arrogant, M is for Mentally Retarded, E is for Eccentric, and R is for Railfans. It is a bad word and it should not be in anyone's vocabulary. The acronym is as bad as the word and nobody should say it ever.
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samfp1943Anyone who has railfanned around has seen the architypical FOAMER. They are hard to miss, generally obnoxious and somewhat insanely present at a lot of venues. They are the 'picture in one's mind' when the term Foamer is mentioned. Anyone that has any doubts of what a Foamer can mean is welcome to go to YouTube.com @https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=railroad+foamer There you should be a whole list of these insane nutjobs preforming for the cameras; while making themselves look like a mule's behind.
Railfan = One who like trains, and will watch and/or photograph/video record them from public property, obeying all laws and rules needed.
Foamer = One obsessed with trains, who will do anything needed to get his/her "shot" and will trespass, break any/all laws needed. Esp. One who will trespass on railroad property, and get angry when informed to leave, thinking they have "the right" to be there.
Acronym of Foamer = Something someone dreamed up to take or cause offense, needlessly...
Coming from a railfan/rail buff, who has seen a Foamer or two in his time....
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
samfp1943 geomodelrailroader [posted dec6,2016 @0239am] A railfan is someone who likes trains and photographs them also has a collection of memorabilia books and models. Foamer is an acronymic insult used by those in the industry and other railfan to hate young railfan to start a fight. Foamer stands for (expletive) Overreactive Arrogant Mentally Retarded Eccentric Railfans and both words are extremely bad it should never be said and should never be used in any vocabulary. "Posted by geomodelrailroader on Tuesday, December 06, 2016 2:34 AM The word Foamer is an insult to people who have Autism. F stands for an expletive we can not say, O stands for Overreactive, A stands for Arrogant, M is for Mentally Retarded, E is for Eccentric, and R is for Railfans. It is a bad word and it should not be in anyone's vocabulary. The acronym is as bad as the word and nobody should say it ever. I noticed the above two post on this Thread on the afternoon of Dec 7. I had read them and decided that the poster was was probably suffering from a case of over-sensitivity caused by insomnia.. I had decided not to to add anything, but after some thought I could not let it go without a comment. Autism (ASDA spectrum disorder ) is a very problematic condition, with many manifestations and diagnoses; it is not to be made light of. It is one of those conditions that has gained more and more publicity, over the last few years. If interested here's a link to start with@ http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm I would question as to motivation, why someone would go back to a thread that has content from May of2009 to current. Then try and start a confrontation on a subject of 'Foaming' that has its roots going back a number of years in this railfan hobby. Anyone monitoring thses Forums and Magazine content since 2011 would have a pretty good idea as to the implied meanings, as well as, the definitions of the term 'foamer'. Go back and re-read this Thread and its posts. Your question is answered pretty well all the way back to the original post. The if you want to set up a strawman and troll. I would advise that you go for it, and look for some psychological counciling for yourself as well.
1. Not an acronyml derived from "foaming at the mouth" as in a rabid railfan.
2. Professionally speaking, the term has no relation to any of the spectrum disorders.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
I had to use a vacation day before the end of the year or lose it. So I get up at 5:30 this morning and make the hour drive to Hamlet, NC getting there before sunrise. I fan from Hamlet down to Pembroke and from there to Fayetteville, NC where I'm typing this after 9:00 PM now. I don't think it got much above freezing all day. I'm one of the few people that doesn't care that much about the locomotives. They all look alike to me anyway. *gasps* l'm a CSX fan and I try to photograph them whenever possible. I think Pine Junction, Indiana is railfan heaven. A manifest train is my favorite train and I really get excited to see a rare or fallen flag boxcar. I love fanning the Pokey even if it is Norfolk Southern. ; ) I love photographing/videoing trains at night. I started making spreadsheets of the trains I saw as well as sheets for locations. I enjoy following the tracks on Google maps and finding abandoned buildings to explore and photograph as a bonus. Photography is what got me into trains and there's nothing like that sweet feeling when you look at your pics and think to yourself... Oh yeah I nailed that shot! Trackide time is my happy time... : )
And find the word FOAMER offensive nearly all of them have autism like I do. And I did not coin the insults people on the website train orders did one of them being Danny Lawson who goes under the train orders handle Realist along with a couple other people on that form read the train orders form for 2012 and you will see the insulting words right there. They are also in the word fomite with predates the word foamer. I support most of the people in the autism community and we are trying to find a cure along with several other railfans who have my condition find the word foamer offensive because most people like those on train orders use it grudgingly and they use it as an acronym. I don't need to say the acronym ever again because you seen it and it is very very bad this was first used on website train orders and most of the people on there are retired railroaders or other railfans who hate the younger generation and those with autism. The only letters and the word foamer that have changed over the years and each time they have been insulting are the F and the M in foamer everyone knows what the f stands for and I don't need to say it because it is an expletive. When autism people joined the railfan community we found the M and foamer offensive also. M stands for mentally retarded this dates back all the way to war war 2 and the Great Depression where they control people with Autism with drugs shock therapy and even killed them by doing lobotomies by drilling into their skulls. Here is the big disclaimer don't use the word foamer around people with autism we find it offensive especially when people use it as an acronym. I'm a railfan and nothing more.
Foamer derived from the word fomite which is used in the 1940s and early 1930s to describe railfans. As everyone knows these were the years that people were doing drug therapy shock therapy and the lobotomy executions on people with autism. The m in the acronym foamer refers to mentally retarded people with Autism who are railfans find this offensive. It was changed recently to describe one who foams at the mouth when they see a train the back in World War II it had a different meaning and it came mostly from Eastern train crews and European train crews to describe railfans today East Coast crews and those in Canada have shortened it to FMR and that is offensive. I have seen this used a couple times on train orders all those guys do is boast about it and even make rude jokes about it. I and the other railfans found it offensive I am one of four people in the Idaho Railfans group who have autism the other ones are Geebmechine, Grand Tetons, AJV, and myself Geomodelrailroader. We are always picked on by members of our group and sometimes the administrator of the group have kicked us out. I don't take pretty well to people from train orders inside other railfan community groups although most of us lack the knowledge like myself every single time I confront somebody from train orders they call me a foamer, use FMR, or say each word that is in the acronym. I have gotten into fights with Realist, Mikado 1555, Hotwater, and Spikes and the source of all the foamer insults is the guy who originally created them Jeff Frost also known as Mikado 1555 he works for Strasburg Railroad he and his co-workers used the word foamer as a company joke and the original post can be found on train orders. They don't find the word foamer offensive but out west were all of the excursion railroads are owned by the railroad companies or preservation groups we find it pretty offensive Hot Water does not like the term at all his real name is Doyle McCormick and you know who Doyle McCormack is he is the preservation manager at the Oregon Railroad Museum in Portland. Ed Dickens and Steve Lee at the Union Pacific they don't like it either and neither does Wasatch Contractors these guys rely on railfans to operate. Out west the excursions are thriving because of donations from the railfans while back east they are declining because back East they have a lot of excursion railroads. Excursion railroads are not money makers instead of making money they lose money because they are very mean to railfan especially those with mental disabilities like autism. This has got to stop and I even called out the guys who are doing it on train orders before they kicked me out of their groups. My voice will be heard one day we need to stop using the word foamer offensively because train crews and railroad police don't like being called a bull or shack because mostly everyone has read The Road or watched the movie Emperor of the North. Jack London was very offensive to railfans and hobos when his book was published in 1942 since then foamer and fomite have been used to refer to the railfans and shack and bull have been used to refer to the train crews and the railroad police. As you know if you read the book The Road or watched Emperor of the North Shack was a bully and a murderer who threw hammers at hobos, railfans, and even his own crew. He even brutalized​ them resulting in some of them dying or worse being ran over by his train as he highballed. The name calling has got to stop they don't like us calling them names and we don't like them calling us names.
geomodelrailroaderAnd find the word FOAMER offensive nearly all of them have autism like I do.
The word "foamer" predates the current knowledge of autism. As far as I'm concerned, a foamer is is simply someone with an exceedingly overenthusiastic interest in railroading.
I think most folk's concept of a foamer is summed up in a video posted several years ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqvwnxgxazY
As noted in the other 'foamer' thread: watch the videos in the right order to get the full effect. I think it is 'telling' that most of the mundanes involved in the 'viral' spread of that "train spotter video" had no idea it was in fact a parody.
tree68I think most folk's concept of a foamer is summed up in a video posted several years ago.
Watch this one first (the problem with the URL was that it was some image- browsing scam 'utility' SEO-optimized to appear early in searches as if it were the actual video - now I know to watch for that stuff...)
and then watch the 'famous' one
Now you know why the over-the-top tropes are so funny.
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