GAFIA (along with derived form such as gafiate and gafiation) is a term used in science fiction fandom. It began as an acronym for "Getting Away From It All", and initially referred to escaping from the mundane world via fanac.[1] However, its meaning was soon reversed, and thereafter it referred to getting away from fandom and fannish doings.[2] When fans say they're gafiating, it means they intend to put some distance between themselves and fandom. This can be either a temporary or a long-term separation.
A closely related term is "Fafia" or "Fafiation", from the acronym for "Forced away from it all." To fafiate is to put aside fannish things, not because one prefers to do so, but rather because one is obliged to do so. Usually it's a matter of not having enough time. Finishing one's dissertation, having children, or accepting a demanding new job are among the commoner reasons for fafiation.
"Dafia", or "Drifting away from it all", has been proposed as an intermediate term, but is not in general fannish use.
Ted White, Redd Boggs and Carl Brandon published science fiction fanzines titled Gafia, Gafia Advertiser and Gafiac. respectively.[3]
The term is among the fannish expressions used most extensively in the book Fallen Angels, by Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle and Michael Flynn, whose major protagonists are mostly fans (active, covert, gafiated or fafiated).