Owen: “Do you speak Bocce?”
Threepio: “Of course I can, sir. Its like a second language for me…I’m fluent in…”
Owen: “All right shut up!”
Star Wars action figure collecting can be a lot like speaking another language. Whether you are a lifelong collector, getting back into the hobby or new to the world of Star Wars action figure collecting, From4-LOMtoZuckuss.com wants to help with your fluency. We have put together a glossary of common Star Wars and action figure collecting terms that should hopefully assist with all of your common cantina discussions.
#
3 3/4″ = nickname given to Star Wars action figures derived from their average height
6″ = nickname given to The Black Series figures
5POA = 5 Points of Articulation (i.e. Kenner’s vintage lines, POTF2 and 2013’s Saga Legends
12″ = nickname given to Large Size Action Figures
12 Back = the number of figures listed on the back of the first vintage carded figures
A
ANH = Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
AOTC = Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Accessory = all items that come packaged for use with an action figure (i.e. weapons, helmets, backpacks)
Army Builder = generic figures without a specific identity whom many collectors purchase multiples of
Articulation = refers to the movable joints and parts on an action figure
B
BAD = Build-a-Droid; a Droid that is built (completed) by purchasing various different figures which contain its parts
BAW = Build-a-Weapon; a weapon that is built (completed) by purchasing various different figures which contain its parts
Blister = the transparent plastic piece of a carded figure containing the toy
Bio = the text and/or description on a figure’s packaging
Bootleg = unofficial Star Wars figures created by typically foreign companies based on Kenner/Hasbro molds
Boxed = a toy that is still in its original box
Bubble = the transparent plastic piece of a carded figure containing the toy
C
Carded = an action figure that is still in its original package; intended to hang on a peg
Case = the cardboard box that figures are shipped to retailers in; typically includes 12 figures
Case Assortment = the quantities of each unique figure included in a case
COO = Country of Origin typically molded on a figures legs
COTW = Collection of the Week
Custom = a figure that has been modified from its original state
CW = 2004’s animated Clone Wars series and television show
D
Deco = Decoration; an figure’s paint job or application
E
E1 = Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace
ESB = Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Exclusive = a figure available at only one retailer or event
F
Fair = an item that is in average condition
G
GFFA = Galaxy Far, Far Away; nickname for anything from Star Wars
Green Card = refers to the green lightsaber packaging design of 1997’s POTF2 series
H
Hologram = Figures that were cast mostly in transparent blue; the type of sticker that came on many POTF2 cardfronts
K
Kitbash = a figure that uses various parts (head, arms, legs, torso, etc.) from previously released figures
L
Loose = refers to a toy that is out of its original packaging
M
MIB = Mint in Box
Mint = an item that is in perfect condition
MIP = Mint in Package
MOC = Mint on Card
Modern = Refers to all figures/series released since 1995
Mold = the physical sculpting of a figure/item
MSRP = Manufacture’s Suggested Retail Price; price set by manufactures for retail stores
N
NMOC = Near Mint on Card; slightly imperfect
O
OT = The Original Trilogy; Star Wars Episodes IV-VI
OTC – Original Trilogy Collection
P
Pack-in = additional items included with a figure outside of basic accessories (i.e. coins, stands, cards etc.)
Pegwarmer = a figure who is over-produced and/or unpopular that doesn’t sell well
POA = Points of Articulation; the number of movable joints and parts on a figure
POP = Proof of Purchase; a package’s barcode
POTF = The Power of the Force (1985)
POTF2 = nickname for 1995’s The Power of the Force series to differentiate from the 1985 series of the same name
POTJ = 2000’s Power of the Jedi series
PT = The Prequel Trilogy; Star Wars Episodes I-III
R
Red Card = refers to the red lightsaber packaging design from 1995’s POTF2 series
Repro = Reproduction; when an outside company recreates an item
Reissue = when an unchanged figure is released again in different packaging
Repaint = a figure whose mold has not changed but its paint deco has
RO = Star Wars: Rogue One
ROTJ = Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
ROTS = Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
S
SA = Super Articulated
Saga = nickname for 2002’s Star Wars series
Secondary Market = refers to the selling and cost of toys outside of its original retail
Scalper = refers to a person who buys toys in order to just resale them for an inflated price
Shortpack = a figure that is packed in lesser quantities than other figures in it’s case
Softgoods = any fabrics that are included with or on a figure
SOTDS = Shadows of the Dark Side; nickname of 2010 ‘s Star Wars series
T
TAC = The 30th Anniversary Collection series
TBS = The Black Series
TCW = The Clone Wars
TESB = Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
TFA = Star Wars: The Force Awakens
TLC = The Legacy Collection
TPM = Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace
Tri-Logo = Vintage packaging that includes multiple languages commonly released outside of the United States
TSC = The Saga Collection
TVC = The Vintage Collection
V
Variant = when a change is made to a figure with purposeful intention to change it
Variation = when a change is made to a figure’s paint job, packaging or mold yet intended to still be the same product
Vintage = refers to Star Wars toys and figures from 1977-1986
W
Wave = refers to figures that are released together at the same time, typically in the same case assortment