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FARB
Apr 28, 2012 19:09:11 GMT -5
Post by dieselmec21 on Apr 28, 2012 19:09:11 GMT -5
I have been reenacting for 8 years now and no one that I know including myself knows for sure what FARB stands for. I know what it means but what is the acronym mean?
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FARB
Apr 28, 2012 19:17:26 GMT -5
Post by 82ndrecon on Apr 28, 2012 19:17:26 GMT -5
"Far be it from me"...
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FARB
Apr 28, 2012 20:29:27 GMT -5
Post by 1stofthefirst on Apr 28, 2012 20:29:27 GMT -5
I always thought it meant
Found Another Reason to Bitch
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Thumper
Forum Admin MP & POTW MP
Posts: 4,314
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Post by Thumper on Apr 28, 2012 20:35:16 GMT -5
Numerous possibilities, but I don't know the true origin. I have heard it linked to the German word for color, farbe. I have also heard it is a slightly reorganized BARF. Or a barf that came out wrong. Or, F*** Ain't Right, Boy. Probably forgot a few. I know I have heard more.
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sgtsaunders
1st Lieutenant
take the point!
Posts: 1,351
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FARB
Apr 29, 2012 0:02:28 GMT -5
Post by sgtsaunders on Apr 29, 2012 0:02:28 GMT -5
Far Be it for me. . .
to tell you that; that piece of equipment is not correct for this period
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FARB
Apr 29, 2012 15:25:28 GMT -5
Post by scottwashburn on Apr 29, 2012 15:25:28 GMT -5
Yeah, the 'Far Be It From Me' is the one I heard. (many years ago doing ACW.
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FARB
Apr 29, 2012 23:12:02 GMT -5
Post by dieselmec21 on Apr 29, 2012 23:12:02 GMT -5
Well that's good at least I am not the only one in the hobby that does not know. That's just FUBAR lol
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Cobblers
2nd Lieutenant
1st American Squadron (Mot) Home Guard, 5 Bn. Perthshire Home Guard, 19 Bn. Hampshire Home Guard
Posts: 823
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FARB
Apr 30, 2012 6:59:56 GMT -5
Post by Cobblers on Apr 30, 2012 6:59:56 GMT -5
I heard it was "far be for me..." since the 70's
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mburch66
1st Sgt.
K Company, 39th Inf.
Posts: 626
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FARB
Apr 30, 2012 13:12:40 GMT -5
Post by mburch66 on Apr 30, 2012 13:12:40 GMT -5
Here is an article I wrote about a year ago...
FARB – What DOES it mean anyway and am I one?
A new word has recently been added to the CMHGs lexicon of reenactor words. That word is FARB. Really an acronym, farb has many different meanings and uses. Each reenactor has their own explanation of what it means to them, but where did the term come from and what does it mean exactly?
Farb is a derogatory term used in reenacting in reference to those who exhibit indifference to historical authenticity, either from a material-cultural standpoint (uniforms, gear, etc.) or in their actions (language, hair styles, mannerisms). It can also refer to the inauthentic materials used by those reenactors. Farbs are generally reenactors who spend relatively little of their money or time maintaining authentic standards in regard to uniforms, accessories, or even period behavior. The “Good Enough” attitude is pervasive among farbs, although even casual observers may be able to point out flaws in some of the more egregious cases.
The Urban Dictionary lists a farb as “a person in a reenacting group (of any era, mainly U.S. Civil War and WWII) who does not wear the correct equipment and/or uniforms and is too lazy to correct their impression.” They also list a farb as an “inauthentic civil war reenactor. [that] typically has no respect for history, and goes reenacting only to shoot guns and get drunk.” So you can see that the term is more than just a WWII reenactor term
So where did the term come from? There are two schools of thought on the word. One goes back to the bicentennial when the US was all a twitter about being 200 years old and every small community back East wanted to reenact the Revolutionary War battle that was fought near them. Of course, everybody wanted to be a Minute Man and not a nasty old Redcoat! So, there were people chosen to “play the bad guy.” The chosen Redcoats would cobble together a uniform that was a close to British as they could get back then and call it good. So, the acronym FARB was born – Fairly Authentic, Resembling British.
The other story one hears a lot is that the term comes from the holier than thou types (kinda like me) that start out a thorough bashing of your impression with “Far be it for me…” In other words, far be it for me to tell you that your boots are wrong, your hat is not worn right, etc. I have also heard that it is a shortened version of “Far be it from authentic.” I don’t really hold to this description as grammatically it makes little sense!
There is also some very hard evidence that the term was in use as far back as 1961, coined by a very small but hard corps group of Civil War reenactors that portrayed the 2nd North Carolina Infantry Regiment. Originally a North-South Skirmish Association shooting group, the 2nd NC had a group of very dedicated members. One, Gerry Rolph, was a German teacher. He is generally given credit for coining the term. It is thought that he used the German word farb (colour) as his word to describe other Confederate troops that were much too colourful – most Southern troops dressed in very drab butternut uniforms – and in the early days of Civil War reenacting the “good old boy” mentality was rampant so anything went for uniforms.
Not good enough? How about this passage from an 1863 letter written by a member of the 76th Illinois Infantry Regiment.
Six children from the local village appeared wearing fallacious accoutrements & reprehensible baggage and thought they would put a sham battle on for our amusement. We laughed so hard at their imitation of soldiers that our sides were hurting for hours. Talk about poorly drilled fresh fish. These boys were made honorary officers starting with general down to private. They each got a penny or more tossed at them and ran off, no doubt, to delight others.
That has GOT to be the oldest use of the term! You have to admit, it’s also a pretty apt description of some of the things we have seen at reenactments!
As you can see, the term farb has many different origins. Anyway you use it, it means someone (or something) that is NOT correct for the time period being portrayed. It can describe a person – “That guy is such a farb.” It can describe a part of your impression – “That digital watch with your Revolutionary War uniform is farby.” Or it can even describe an event – “That Civil War reenactment in the high school parking lot was super farby!” People have even come up with their own versions of the word. For example: Farbzilla – one who is obviously too large for his impression, i.e. a 280lb submariner, or a 7’ ball turret gunner! Farbarella – Females portraying a male soldier (mostly Civil War). Digifarb – absolutely authentic except for the Casio watch. Farb-o-flage – the shelter half over the Coleman cooler so that the public can't see the bright red and highly inauthentic receptacle for large quantities of cokes or beer. (I actually like some of the farb-o-flage that the CMHG has come up with. The ammo boxes holding coolers are actually pretty cool and creative!) Alumafarb – absolutely authentic except for the modern can of coke or beer held in plain view while the public is there. Visafarb – Knows absolutely nothing about their portrayal, but has all the gear by simply charging it on VISA. Fart-Gun-Farb – The guy who just fired the 15 minute burst from the propane powered MG-42. How long WAS that belt of ammo?!
You can see that most of these follow a pattern. Most reenactors strive for authenticity. Some do not or don’t know how to. A reenactor becomes a farb when they refuse to accept any help in bettering their impression. If they have items they KNOW are wrong but don't care to improve these items, or worse, when a better reproduction is widely available and they won't upgrade to it, (despite a universe of peer pressure), then they are a farb. Pure and simple, if you're trying to do it right or just want to do it right – as long as you are doing all that you can to upgrade your impression – you are NOT a farb.
A farb will never utter these words: “Say, that’s very authentic looking, where did you get that?” or “How do I make one of those?” or “Can you help me do that?” Rather, farbs are proponents of the old standby, the “ten-foot rule”. Their mantra is “It's close enough.” On the other hand, I have never met a hard-core authentic reenactor in any unit I was with who would not bend over backwards to help someone who asked for it – ME included! When I started Civil War I was farby as farby could be.
An email circulated earlier with a group of Arizona guys in it that were, yes, we can say it, FARBY! The original email stated that many of the other units in the area had tried to help these guys get their impressions right. They refused the help. To me that is the strictest definition of farb – a person who is in the hobby, but simply will not try and make their impression as good as they can get it. Sure, money is tight, but save up for a pair of correct boots, or a better hat, or a more correct tunic. I was a farb when I started Civil War, but I bought the stuff as soon as I could and always tried to make my impression better. I KNEW I was farby. I strove to make it better. There is nothing wrong with being farby as long as you try and improve your impression.
Bottom line: If you're not a farb (and don't want to be known as one) when you see someone doing it better than you ask them where they got their stuff, how they made something, or who they think has the best gear. And, above all else, do your research! Look at period photographs, read, read, and read some more. Playing Call of Duty or watching Band of Brothers DOES NOT COUNT! When you hear, “I saw a carbine pouch worn like this while playing Call of Duty” you know you are talking to a farb.
Earlier I alluded to the fact that I used to be farby. Well, I am STILL farby. In fact, every one of us is farby in some way or another. First off, any one of us that is portraying a combat soldier older than about 30 is farby. Hey, not much we can do about that. Unless we make a concerted effort to speak in 1940s vernacular we sound farby. There are way too many “dudes” and “likes” in the sentences I utter – even when I am trying NOT to. For the most part we are too tall, too heavy, and just don’t have the mindset that the typical 1940s soldiers had. There is nothing we can do about that. What we can do is to try and research the unit, the common soldier, and the history of the era we are portraying and do the best that we can.
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FARB
Apr 30, 2012 15:52:54 GMT -5
Post by dieselmec21 on Apr 30, 2012 15:52:54 GMT -5
Nice post. I will see you in the next few weeks. Glad to see it was one of my guys with such a great answer. Jeff
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nitromike
T/4.
"We will cross hills and rivers, and be Poles again."
Posts: 189
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FARB
Apr 30, 2012 16:12:43 GMT -5
Post by nitromike on Apr 30, 2012 16:12:43 GMT -5
I always associated FARB with the word fabricator, as in fabricating evidence certain items were used or not, basing the use of some items in a particular impression on no research and fabricating lies it was.
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sgtsaunders
1st Lieutenant
take the point!
Posts: 1,351
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FARB
Apr 30, 2012 16:53:22 GMT -5
Post by sgtsaunders on Apr 30, 2012 16:53:22 GMT -5
regardless of the definition, it is the core of people remaining on guard against, the degression of lesser and lesser authenticity in all aspects of the hobby, involving looks, gear, equipement, vehicles etc.
It's what separates WW2 Reenacting from turning into a renaissance faire
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mburch66
1st Sgt.
K Company, 39th Inf.
Posts: 626
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FARB
Apr 30, 2012 17:07:52 GMT -5
Post by mburch66 on Apr 30, 2012 17:07:52 GMT -5
"It's what separates WW2 Reenacting from turning into a renaissance faire." I dunno, man. I have been to some pretty bad reeactments! Needless to say, I never went back. My time is just too valuable to go to some of these events where the farbs tend to congregate. I say, let them have them.
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FARB
Apr 30, 2012 19:45:25 GMT -5
Post by dieselmec21 on Apr 30, 2012 19:45:25 GMT -5
I agree, keeps the trash out of the better events
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Faabala
Forum MP
PULL OVER!!!!!
Posts: 3,417
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FARB
Apr 30, 2012 21:18:55 GMT -5
Post by Faabala on Apr 30, 2012 21:18:55 GMT -5
This is the correct origin. It is a part of the history of reenacting in the US that we should all know. The word has spread to all time periods and around the world. wesclark.com/jw/forigin.html
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FARB
May 1, 2012 5:24:32 GMT -5
Post by AtlanticWallBlanks on May 1, 2012 5:24:32 GMT -5
Never heard of Digifarb. That is me. I wear my pocket watch but ALWAYS forget to take off my Timex Expedition. I do it even in WWI. Just can't stop screwing that one up.
Robb
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FARB
May 1, 2012 20:31:04 GMT -5
Post by dieselmec21 on May 1, 2012 20:31:04 GMT -5
So with all of this said I am now shooting my M1 with .308 I can't afford 30.06 anymore. I don't think that is FARB I am sure this will might start a argument
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FARB
May 1, 2012 20:40:21 GMT -5
Post by unteroffizier38 on May 1, 2012 20:40:21 GMT -5
This is the correct origin. It is a part of the history of reenacting in the US that we should all know. The word has spread to all time periods and around the world. wesclark.com/jw/forigin.htmlOh my God I forgot all about Jonahworld...
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FARB
May 1, 2012 20:48:30 GMT -5
Post by neilhg on May 1, 2012 20:48:30 GMT -5
There blanks I think thats of limits
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FARB
May 2, 2012 18:35:49 GMT -5
Post by AtlanticWallBlanks on May 2, 2012 18:35:49 GMT -5
So with all of this said I am now shooting my M1 with .308 I can't afford 30.06 anymore. I don't think that is FARB I am sure this will might start a argument I use them in my K-98, Mg-34 and Mg-42. Don't see a problem with it. Robb
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