This term originated in academic psychology from the 1956 work of Horton and Wohl but became mainstream slang through online fan communities and social media platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube starting in the 2010s. It is used to characterize a one-sided, often intense relationship where a fan feels emotionally connected to a celebrity, influencer, or content creator who does not know they exist — frequently invoked to call out obsessive stan behavior. The structure is a single adjective (parasocial) from the Greek prefix "para-" (beside/beyond) and "social," repurposed from its clinical origins into a casual shorthand for unhealthy fandom dynamics.

Définition et signification de « parasocial » en anglais

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