AFOL Glossary

The LEGO Community

What is an 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. [Source: LEGO Ambassador Network]
What is a LUG?
LUG means LEGO User Group or LEGO Users Group, depending on who and where you ask. The term originates deeply in the AFOL (Adult Fan Of LEGO) community and all the way back to when LUGNET (www.LUGNET.com or the newer version at http://www.LUGNET.biz) was the core of all AFOL activity online. As for definitions on a LUG, we suggest reading this LUGNET topic from February 2001 (LINK) [Source: LEGO Ambassador Network]
What is a Recognized LUG (RLUG)?
A Recognized LUG is a term owned by the LEGO Group. It is how they identify a LEGO User Group that has been Recognized, given access and participation rights to on the LEGO Ambassador Network. The minimum requirements for recognition as an RLUG can be found here as well as how to apply for recognition. [Source: LEGO Ambassador Network]
LUGBULK
A LEGO program available to RLUGs and RLFM through which bulk quantities of elements may be purchased at discounted prices. [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]
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)
BUGs
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 was the first Brisbane based LEGO User Group, holding its first meeting in October 2000.
BTLG
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.
TBB
The Brothers Brick. One of the most well respected and awesome LEGO Blogs on the internet. TBB is also categoriesd by the LEGO Group as RLFM – “Recognised LEGO Fan Media.”

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

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]