Greymuzzle

Greymuzzle
Status	Current
Community used by	Therian, Otherkin
Synonyms	Elder, Graymuzzle, Grey-muzzle, Gray-muzzle, Fruit, Old fruit

Greymuzzle is a term of endearment or respect used to reference an older or more experienced therian or otherkin. Definitions for greymuzzles differ depending on subculture and individual, but a greymuzzle may refer to:

• A therian who was an active member on Alt.Horror.Werewolves.
• An older, adult individual who has been an active participant in therian and otherkin community spaces for near or over a decade.
• An individual who has made widely recognized positive contributions to the otherkin and therian communities, typically over a period of several years to several decades.
• An older therian or otherkin (quite literally someone who is beginning to grey, typically someone above the age 30 or 40).
• Some combination of the above qualifiers.

There is no single, set criteria for being considered a greymuzzle, as it is largely considered a community given title. Because of this, referencing to yourself as a greymuzzle in order to try to gain respect from others when they feel you have not earned the title may be seen as braggadocios or as an attempt to make one seem more important or experienced than they actually are. Greymuzzle and synonymous terms, like elder and old fruit, do not denote any claim to community leadership and is not representative of a hierarchical rank.

Some individuals may insist that greymuzzle is a term that can only be used regarding therians, but its usage has spread to other nonhuman-identifying communities in the last decade. It has been defined both within otherkin circles as an term that otherkin can use and it has been used in academia to refer to both otherkin and therians.

History and etymology

Greymuzzle was originally a term coined in the therian community, likely inspired by the furry fandom's identical term greymuzzle to reference pre-internet furries, older furries, and furries who have been involved in the fandom for specific lengths of time. The term seems to have first appeared in the therian community on Alt.Horror.Werewolves from participant Smash Graywolf sometime prior to 1996 or 1997.

The term is likely a reference to to the ways in which some species of canine, such as wolves and domestic dogs, will develop grey fur on their face as they grow older.