Image by ToyMania.com
Accessories:Objects or items which originally came with the action figure when purchased.
Army Builder: Action figures that are soldiers and can be completed as sets or to build a make believe army of action figures.
Articulation: Area of an action figure where it is posed.
Ball joint: A part of the figure where it is somewhat round or oval such as torso, shoulders or hips of the figurine.
Ball Socket Joint: A ball joint that attaches to a socket within the figurine.
Bio: The history and information of any particular figurine. Sometime a card will accompany the figurine and it can be saved as it contains all of its bio or information.
Blister: Also referred to as bubble: A plastic display for the figurine. A clear see through plastic to view the figurine when its being preserved or when still in the box.
Buck: A generic figurine usable body that can be used fro different characters.
Build a Figure, also known as BAF: A transformer like figurine which built by using different action figures to make one main character. usually larger in size some are also referred to as Collect and Connect.
Card: usually a card of the specific figure which shows the image and comes in the original box from the manufacturer. Sometimes the card can be made of other material like plastic. overall, it is a card explaining the information about that specific action figure.
Case Pack also referred to as Case: The original case or shipment box that was sent from the producer of the action figure and sent to the store. These typically have boxes of the same figurine in in one case. one case may have for example 24 boxes of the same figurine so stores can sell them individually.
Clamshell: A plastic see through packaging to protect or preserve the figurine many times it comes with a card or paper with the figurines information.
Combiner: usually it relates to transformer action figures as it can be built by using different action figures to build one transformer.
Custom: A custom built action figure or customized differently from its original state.
Cut Joint:
Dry Brush: A dry brush that had the paint removed from it, then applied to the action figure. This allows intricate raised details of the figure to blend out and give it a more natural; appearance. Most of the time this technique is applied to extra parts of the figure such as on the its hair, fur or extra components.
Dumbell Joint: gives the figure a restricted amount of movement, similar to dub bell exercises where movement is limited but yet there is movement. Usually in the ball joints like arms, waist and legs of the action figure.
Fiddler: Refers to the owner of an action figure who fiddles with the figure instead of preserving it in its original box.
Flocking: Altering the toy to give the appearance that is has fur or hair.
GOtSOM (Gross Out the Significant Other meter: A measuring scare tactic meter where one figure is compared to the other. For example a barbie doll would have a 1 in the GOtSOM Meter while a Frankenstein figure would have a 10.
Hi-Joint: A joint which allows the figure to move in the area of the waist. usually it moves without touching or rubbing other parts of hte figure.
Kibble: Refers to a differently built figurine where its components hang from irregular areas, such as the head of the figure hanging from the shoulder.
Mint in Box; MIB: See Mint on Card definition. Also known as Mint in Package or mint on Card.
Mint in Package; MIP: See Mint on Card for the definition. Also known as Mint in Box or Mint on Card.
Mint on Card MOC: An original figure in perfect condition or mint state condition as it is still preserved in its original undamaged box or container. it has to have the otiginal items such as bio card and parts to be considered Mint.
Monc: Refers to a collector who likes to have his figure(s) in the original sealed package in mint condition.
Mushroom Joint: usually refers to a joint which is capable of moving in a 360 degrees. the joint moves in a mushroom position allowing it to move freely in large motions unlike a dub bell joint.
Peg Joint: Same as Mushroom joint.
Peg Warmer: An unpopular and unwanted figure which is referred to as warming the sellers rack pegs from never moving.
Protorype: An example of what the first figures looked like before actually being produced.
Re-Paint: A figure which looks exactly the same as a previously issued one, however, the new one just had new paint colors added to it.
Re-Tool: Figure which has componentes that were used previously in other older figures.
Short-Packing: Short Packing figures tend to be some of the most desirable amongst collectors. These are usually the least amount figure sent in a a original case to stores. therefore, there are usually less of them. For instance a case may have more than 3 figures of each one from a series but for one specific figure the case only had one if that figure automatically making t more desirable.
Swivel Joint: Same definition as Mushroom joint.
Test Shot: A test or trial presentation figure shipped to the toy company for approval on design. if its approved the manufactures uses that model to produce all other figures exactly the same.
Variant: An almost identical figure which has something slightly different from another one of the same model. For example different details on the hair but look almost identical. In older figures ones with variant details were usually scarcer and commanded a higher premium with collectors. Today, the manufacturers many times produce them with different variants like different color clothes etc, to give them a different look.
Variation: An appearance on a figure that is not as popular. for example Spider Man wearing pants and a shirt with his mask but without his regular costume.
Wash: Painting method employed by water being added to the paint. Then its added to the figures first paint application this way inc-use designs also get painted and to give these sections a realistic shading appearance.
Wave: Also referred to as Series: Figures having the same theme or part of the same group. Lego figures for example, would have a series where ten are released at the same time in the same group and shipped in same cases.