I'm a former player (1986-1993) just returned to the game.  It's amazing how much it's changed but I'm specifically interested in how and when the term "hobbyist" came to be used.  In those earlier days I never heard it, or GFE, or PSE or anything.  It was just, look up places in sex tabloids, call ahead and come knockin'.  Personally, I find the word incredibly lame.  I can't say why, really, I just don't like it and won't use it.  I won't look down on anyone who does, but it's not for me.  Still, I'm interested to know when it came into use.  Anybody?

But sorry, I can't help here.

I never heard the term hobbyist myself until I came upon TER around 2005.

Since everyone else was using the term, I figured, why not?

There has to be some word used.

I totally agree the Internet has made the whole experience better, including TER.  My point was simply to inquire about how "hobby" became the word to describe it.  As I tried to make clear, I don't denigrate anyone who uses it, I just pesonally think it sounds lame even though I've used it myself occaisionally.  But there's so much that's changed about the business there's a lot to learn and this is only a small part of it.  The whole GFE thing is, for me, a major upgrade over the early '90s experience.