retcon

verb
[L670060]

Compounds

In compounds

Forms

  • simple present : retcon
  • simple present, singular, third person : retcons
  • simple past : retconned
  • present participle : retconning
  • past participle : retconned

Senses

  • to alterate a previously established facts in the continuity of a fictional work

    • It was in the development of this sequel—the more mature epic fantasy The Lord of the Rings—that Tolkien began to retcon certain events from The Hobbit.

Examples (not attached to a Sense)

    While all retconned reinterpretations of old stories reveal new information, only revelations that imply a change in authorial intent are retcons.

    On Star Trek this involved science fiction tropes, such as time travel and reality-erasing weapons; on a different cult program, Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, retconning was based on the even simpler plot device of magic.

retcon

noun
[L670120]

Related

Derived from retroactive continuity

Forms

  • singular : retcon
  • plural : retcons

Senses

  • alteration of previously established facts in the continuity of a fictional work