Heughligan

English

Etymology

Blend of Heughan +‎ hooligan.

Noun

Heughligan (plural Heughligans)

1. (fandom slang) A fan of Scottish actor, producer, author, and entrepreneur Sam Heughan (born 1980).
   • 2014 August 28, “9 reasons Outlander is a global success”, in Daily Record‎^[1], page 26:

     Dedicated fan base: Fans include the Heughligans and Caitriots and there are dozens of fan websites.

   • 2016 May 7, Gavin Docherty, “Highland hunk Sam is an X-rated TV hit”, in Daily Express‎^[2], page 15:

     Overall, he seems to not quite grasp the power of his beefcake form as immortalised by a drama that has become a global success. No fan base in the world shouts louder for the pin-up of their choice than the Heughligans.

   • 2016 December 31 – 2017 January 6, Andrea Reiher, “What's Trending”, in Beyond Basic TV‎^[3], page 23:

     The Golden Globes have been better, nominating Tobias Menzies for supporting actor and the show [Outlander] for best drama series in Season 1, and star Caitriona Balfe for best actress in both seasons. But co-lead Sam Heughan still has not been nominated by either major awards show and the Heughligans are restless.

   • 2017 September 13, Cara Kelly, “Heughan the handsome, humble star of Hollywood’s dreams”, in The Hamilton Spectator, Hamilton, Ont., page G4, column 5:

     The film [The Spy Who Dumped Me] may be the next break he was waiting for. “It was exciting to give him an opportunity to explore a different tone and dynamic in his work and watch him master it like he did, and I can’t wait to see what he does next,” [Susanna] Fogel says. The Heughligans couldn’t agree more.

   • 2018 April 26, Beverley Lyons, “Outlander star sets pulses racing despite Pulp star’s dulcet tones”, in Evening Times‎^[4], page 15:

     It’s not every day a gal can say she’s had a lie down in a dark room with Outlander star Sam Heughan. In the wee small hours of Saturday, much to the envy of Heughligans everywhere, I had the pleasure of exactly that – along with several hundred other lucky peeps.

   • 2018 October, Leah Flickinger, “The incredible good fortune of Sam Heughan”, in The Red Bulletin‎^[5], page 37, column 1:

     Although their numbers may be small by Cumberbitch or Belieber standards, Heughligans are a loyal and passionate group. […] Thousands of Heughligans from around the world have helped transform his casual call to action into a global movement.

   • 2018 November 9, Anna Menta, “How Starz’s ‘Outlander’ Enchants Millions of Women, Boosts Scottish Tourism and Potentially Launched the Next James Bond”, in Newsweek‎^[6], volume 171, number 14:

     “Jamie [Fraser] is the man of our dreams,” says Nestasia. “King of men,” adds Ann Gaul, 52, a proud “Heughligan,” as fans of the actor call themselves.

   • 2020 November 22, Fiona Shepherd, “Outlander stars get under the skin of the real Highlands on buddy road trip”, in Scotland on Sunday‎^[7], page 54:

     A trip to Cawdor Castle is the cue to reminisce on the numerous productions of Macbeth the pair have been part of, before they exit, pursued by a mother/daughter tag team of Heughligans. Culture vultures both, they are as excited to handle a Second Folio of Shakespeare’s works as they are at the sight of a historic Highland broadsword or a 17th century studded oak door, and justifiably proud of the historic sites which have benefited financially from the Outlander tourist circuit (with caveats about respecting the environment).

   • 2021 May 5, Rosie Morton, “The spirit of home”, in Scottish Field‎^[8]:

     It was at this point that I realised talking with this Highland heartthrob – who has amassed squillions of ‘Heughligan’ fans since Outlander’s inaugural episode in 2014 – was one of the more surreal moments of the past twelve months. […] To put it simply, his devoted clan of ‘Heughligans’ can officially register their latest recruit. Where do I sign?