TERMINOLOGY: ATF vs. CF

7/1/2013 8:10:59 AM

In a recent thread by SlickSpic, "Lifespan Of An ATF," Shadowcat corrected the use of the term ATF. I'd like to discuss it a little further. The terminology seems grossly misused on TUSCL. My perceptions of the proper use of the two terms:

ALL-TIME FAVORITE (ATF)

This is the dancer that you liked most in your club-going career. You could start with one ATF, and then find a better ATF. But, in actuality you can only refer to having one ATF at a time. Example: My ATF was a dancer I knew for four years. Even though I haven't even seen her for five years now, I still refer to her as my ATF. I still liked her better than any of the dancers I see now.

CURRENT FAVORITE (CF)

This is/are the dancer(s) you like best right now. It is acceptable to have multiple current favorites (as I do). The four that I do consider in this category, I also knew at the time I knew my ATF. (Their time with me overlapped.) Your CFs do not match the enjoyment factor that you get/got from your ATF.

21 comments

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SlickSpic

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11 years ago

Well done, Clubgoer. Clear and concise.

shadowcat

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11 years ago

Now get Founder to update the glossary.

Club_Goer_Seattle

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11 years ago

We need a separate glossary just for LDK postings!

Club_Goer_Seattle

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11 years ago

Bullwinkle: Exactly! A CF could overtake an ATF, but then, when you next refer to your ATF, that would be the second dancer who was previously only your CF.

Club_Goer_Seattle

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11 years ago

Shadow: I concur with you. This is the TUSCL glossary definition of ATF. (There is none for CF.)

"ATF -- All Time Favorite - a patron's favorite dancer. If you have one of these, please see PL lower in the gloss."

It seems to me that the two terms, ATF and CF are mixed together, inappropriately.

azdd

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11 years ago

Excellent distinction! I too have a whole bunch of CFs that I will always seek out and get dances from, but there is only one ATF. Thanks ClubGoer!

jackslash

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11 years ago

I agree with this ATF and CF usage. But still I have a problem. Referring to Christie, with whom I had a 2 year relationship, as my ATF seems wrong. She certainly was my ATF, but should I continue to call her that? It's like calling a girl "my sweetheart" after you've broken up. I have sometimes called her my ex-ATF, which indicates that I am not seeing her any more.

Club_Goer_Seattle

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11 years ago

Jackslash: Your situation is like mine. If Christie was the best ever dancer you had, then she's your ATF. Even though you don't get dances from her anymore, or even see her anymore, if you liked her better than any dancers you see now, she's your ATF. The other dancers are your CFs.

DandyDan

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11 years ago

I don't know if I like the idea of having only 1 ATF at a time. I always think of these things as a level, but it's always possible to have more than one at the top level. It's kind of like picking the top quarterback in the NFL. Some say Manning, some say Brady, some say Rodgers, some say Brees, and I say they're all good. A similar dynamic exists for favorite dancers. To hold one above the rest lowers the rest to an unacceptable degree, at least for me.

As for CF, it works for me.

shadowcat

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11 years ago

DandyDan - What if O.J. Simpson was your ATF and the other were just your CFs?

mjx01

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11 years ago

ATF is singular out of total history. Agreed.

If CF is going to be plural, that what's the preferred term for top girl out of the CF roster, but not surpassing ATF?

Club_Goer_Seattle

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11 years ago

@ mjx: Your best current favorite (BCF). How's that? Any other forms we haven't covered?

Clubber

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11 years ago

Club_Goer,

I've tried fighting that battle a number of times in the past. I gave up and just let those that wish misuse the term. My ATF, I've known her for about 13 years. She's not danced in at least 7-8 years, but she is still me ATF. I've known a couple came close, but they could never win since they were not Asian.

goodsouthernboy

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11 years ago

If we're really getting into semantics, "favorite" should be singular as well. I think we're digging a little too deep.

farmerart

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11 years ago

I don't like any of this ATF or CF stuff. The terms imply a certain emotional attachment that I try mightily not to have for these dancers. I don't always succeed in avoiding emotional attachments but I am getting much better the longer I participate in our hobby. I completely eschew the term ATF now and I don't care for CF either.

Now, if I see a dancer more than once, I refer to her as my 'sweetie' as in....... my Toronto Sweetie or my Calgary Sweetie or my Detroit Sweetie or my Vancouver Sweetie or my Edmonton Sweetie. Two of these girls are now ancient history but 3 of them still have active status; one of them much more active than the other two.

jester214

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11 years ago

"favorite" condones emotional attachment but "sweetie" is fine?

ATF can mean a lot of things without regarding emotion.

Club_Goer_Seattle

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11 years ago

Founder: Please ad "sweetie" to the TUSCL glossary.

shadowcat

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11 years ago

I have a Venezuelan favorite that calls me "sweetie". It's a refreshing change from "baby". :)

farmerart

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11 years ago

I get it. I get it. I know that I am as pathetic as all the rest of the tuscl regulars.

All I can say is that the same word can have different connotations for different people.

Let me split my hairs if it makes me feel better.

Sheesh!

3LeggedMan

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11 years ago

Sometimes I think of CF as a Club Favorite. If I frequent multiple clubs I'm likely to have a current fave at each club. Just muddying the water.

OldSalt

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11 years ago

I don't club enough for it to make a big difference, but I think CMF ( Current Most Favorite) has a nice ring to it.

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