woobie

From the 1983 film Mr. Mom, in which it is a child's word for his security blanket.

• Rhymes: -ʊbi

woobie (plural woobies)

1. (US, childish) Any object, typically a blanket, garment or stuffed animal, that is used simply for its comforting characteristics; a security blanket.
2. (US, intimate) Term of endearment.
3. (fandom slang) A fictional character, often morally grey or a villain, subjected to constant stress and angst, so as to create pathos within the narrative and increase the reader/viewer's emotional attachment to them.
   • 2006, Afşar Yegin, "Fan-Textual Television: Narrative Structure, Vituality And Fandon In Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Angel And Veronica Mars, thesis submitted to Istanbul Bilgi University, page 109:

     The conflicted portrayal of the character reaches its zenith during the sixth episode where Logan’s relationship with his abusive and morally despicable father solidifies his character into the woobie.

   • 2018, Anna Blackwell, Shakespearean Celebrity in the Digital Age: Fan Cultures and Remediation‎, page 109:

     In some instances, this characterisation then becomes part of a hurt/comfort fan narrative where the pleasure at the woobie's pain is transmuted into relief at their eventual recovery.

   • 2022, K. R. Moore, The Routledge Companion to the Reception of Ancient Greek and Roman Gender and Sexuality, unnumbered page:

     But the post also rejects Patroclus as woobie, drawing attention to his amorous complicity in Achilles's crimes.

   • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:woobie.
4. (US, military slang) A poncho liner.

• (fandom slang): woobification, woobify

• baby girl (male morally-ambiguous character romanticised by fans)
• Draco in Leather Pants (any morally-ambiguous character romanticised by fans)
• poor little meow meow (endearingly pathetic villain or morally-ambiguous character)