Vanelan : Come to think of it, I'm probably thinking of "otaku"; Same thing though.

Frodlex : Well in that case, the Japanese don't like that we use otaku as a badge of honor. 

Vanelan : Who uses Otaku as a badge of honor?

Frodlex : American anime fans.
I've heard it more than once in the anime section of stores and in anime stores, "I am such an Otaku!" or something similar.

If anyone cares to watch it, I think the anime called Jellyfish Princess (Kuragehime) sort of describes in brief what the meaning of the word "otaku" means. It's unfortunate but "otaku" and "weeaboo" are usually derogatory terms so I never use them, even with my friends. =/

xxAriaxx : This term is an insult, isn't it? Personally, I think just because you collect figurines and enjoy anime/manga that it shouldn't classify you as a "weeb". It just makes you an enthused fan/collector. What is the difference between those who collect figurines of Marvel/DC superheroes and comic books? ...Though they are called geeks or nerds, huh? However, I find that those terms don't have the same kind of backlash as "weeaboo" does.

I don't think I've had a personal experience with a "weeb". My anime loving friends in high school weren't that extreme as you've described as the definition of a weeaboo ( "who are obsessed with Japan / Japanese culture / anime that they deny their own culture and act as if they are Japanese" and etc)--those are the only kinds of "weebs" I've ever seen or heard about ONLINE in other people's stories like, on Tumblr or on forum boards. But some of them are some real "horror" stories about these individuals who don't respect personal space and just get downright creepy/stalkerish.

This is an interesting thread!

my friend is a total weeb. the guy freaking said that japan should've won wwii for pete's sake. i'm pretty sure it was just a joke but even then, he butchers japanese, that he's seen in anime. he also is only interested in japanese culture, no other cultures and only because of anime.