The LEGO® Community
AFOL
An Adult Fan of LEGO®, which is an 18+ years old LEGO fan who actively participates in the community either online, through a LUG (LEGO User Group) and/or by going to community driven events. The term AFOL originates in the community and is not created by The LEGO® Group (TLG). This and following terms are sourced from The LEGO Ambassador Network (LAN) website unless otherwise stated.
LUG
A LUG is a LEGO® User Group (or LEGO® Users Group, depending on who and where you ask).
RLUG
An RLUG is a Recognised LEGO® User Group. The minimum requirements for recognition as an RLUG are to hold public events and get-togethers for members. RLUGs gain access and participation rights to the LEGO Ambassador Network.
RLOC
An RLOC is a Recognised LEGO® Online Communities. These can be local, but are usually global, and connect like-minded AFOLs in specific fields. Most of their community activities happen their online forums in which they drive discussions and collaborative building activities.
RLFM
An RLFM is a Recognised LEGO® Fan Media, which range from websites to physical magazines, blogs, YouTube channels and more. Fan Media produce content exclusively about LEGO: from history to latest news, product reviews, and everything related to the AFOL experience.
BrisBricks Inc.
That’s us! BrisBricks Inc. was formed as a subset of the BLTG and became officially recognised as an Incorporated Association (and not-for-profit) on 23 August 2012. (IA40259)
BTLG
The BTLG was the Brisbane LEGO Train Group. The Queensland-based LEGO User Group (LUG) of which BrisBricks Inc. originated from back in 2012. The BTLG LUG was formed as a subset of the BUGs in 2002. The BUGs? Who are the BUGs?
BUGs
The BUGs were the Brisbane LEGO User Group (for some reason leaving out the “L” from the abbreviation and adding an “s” as it was also done by MUGs in Melbourne). The BUGs were the first Brisbane based LEGO User Group, holding its first meeting in October 2000.
Other Notable RLUGs, RLFMs and RLOCs
RLFM – One of the most well respected and awesome LEGO Blogs on the internet. Many of our glossary terms are sourced from their site.
LEGO and Technology
- S@H
- LEGO Shop at Home. The old name for The LEGO Group’s direct-to-consumer sales channel, particularly the printed catalog and telephone service. Now also used by long-time fans to refer to the LEGO Shop online.[Source: The Brothers Brick LEGO Glossary]
- Bricklink
- Bricklink.com, an online marketplace for sellers who specialize in LEGO sets and elements. A good place to purchase large quantities of specific pieces.[Source: The Brothers Brick LEGO Glossary]
- Brickset
- Brickset.com, a LEGO set database which catalogs LEGO sets and their inventories.[Source: The Brothers Brick LEGO Glossary]
- LDD
- LEGO Digital Designer. The LEGO Company’s official program for designing digital LEGO models. Supports Windows and OSX.[Source: The Brothers Brick LEGO Glossary]
- LDraw
- Ldraw.org. A fan-created program for designing digital LEGO models. Supports Windows, OSX, and Linux.[Source: The Brothers Brick LEGO Glossary]
- Stud.io
- Stud.io is a program built by Bricklink for designing digital LEGO models. It’s integrated with the Bricklink.com website and supports the import of LDD and LDraw files. Supports Windows and OSX.
LEGO Bricks and Pieces Terminology
- Brick
- A universal name for a LEGO piece, regardless of shape or color. Also: In LEGO element taxonomy, any roughly cubic LEGO piece which is 3 or more Plates tall. Also: In technical terms, used to refer a specific piece shape, regardless of color. [Source: The Brothers Brick LEGO Glossary]
- BURP
- Big Ugly Rock Piece. The larger of two classic pre-fabricated LEGO elements traditionally available in gray and frequently included in LEGO castle sets. Part number 6082. More experienced LEGO fans often encourage other builders to use brick-built landscaping rather than BURPs. [Source: The Brothers Brick LEGO Glossary]
- Element
- A universal name for a LEGO piece. Also: In technical terms, often considered to refer to a piece of a specific shape and color (e.g. a black 1×1 plate is a different element than a blue 1×1 plate). [Source: The Brothers Brick LEGO Glossary]
- Jumper Plate
- A 1×2-stud LEGO plate with only 1 stud in the center. Part number 15573 (current version number). Useful for half-stud offset building. [Source: The Brothers Brick LEGO Glossary]
- LURP
- Little Ugly Rock Piece. The smaller of two classic pre-fabricated LEGO elements traditionally available in gray and frequently included in LEGO castle sets. Part number 6083. More experienced LEGO fans often encourage other builders to use brick-built landscaping rather than LURPs. [Source: The Brothers Brick LEGO Glossary]
- Minifig
- Short for Minifigure. The blocky miniature figures featured in most LEGO sets. First introduced in 1978, the design is a trademark of The LEGO Company. [Source: The Brothers Brick LEGO Glossary]
- Plate
- Any LEGO piece which is 1/3 the height of a Brick. [Source: The Brothers Brick LEGO Glossary]
- Stud
- The distinct cylindrical bump or knob on the surface of LEGO bricks which fits inside an anti-stud and serves as one half of the mechanism by which pieces interlock. Studs are frequently used as a unit of measurement: e.g. a model is 40 studs long. [Source: The Brothers Brick LEGO Glossary]
- Tile
- Any LEGO plate which is devoid of all or most studs, giving it a smooth upper surface. [Source: The Brothers Brick LEGO Glossary]
MOC
My Own Creation. Any LEGO creation designed and built by a LEGO fan without instructions. Generally pronounced “mock” (not “Em-Oh-Cee”). [Source: The Brothers Brick LEGO Glossary]