“devotee,” 1889, American English, originally of baseball enthusiasts, probably a shortening of fanatic, but it may be influenced by the fancy, a collective term for followers of a certain hobby or sport (especially boxing); see fancy (n.). There is an isolated use from 1682, but the modern word likely is a late 19c. formation. Fan mail attested from 1920, in a Hollywood context; Fan club attested by 1930.
Looking up etymologies always teaches something new. Now I can’t stop thinking of “fans” as “fanciers” basically.
https://www.etymonline.com/word/fan
Looking up etymologies always teaches something new. Now I can’t stop thinking of “fans” as “fanciers” basically.