<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

The term, Gothic was coined in the 18th century as a disparaging term, meaning "ugly" or "uncultured." It was originally used to describe medieval architecture.

Over the years, the term has evolved away from "ugly" to mean something more akin to "dark and brooding" or "creepy" and has been applied everything from literary movements, such as Gothic fiction to modern fandom in the case of goths.