Accidental travel is a speculative fiction plot device in which ordinary people accidentally find themselves outside of their normal place or time, often for no apparent reason, a particular type of the “fish-out-of-water” plot. In Russian fandom, the trope is known under the term popadantsy, plural form for popadanets, female: popadanka,[1] a person who accidentally finds himself elsewhere/elsewhen.[2] The Russian term bears ironical flavor, because popadantsy has become a widespread cliche in Russian pulp science fiction.[3] Russian critic Boris Nevsky traces this plot device to at least Gulliver's Travels (18th century).[3]
- ^ Challenges in Strategic Communication and Fighting Propaganda in Eastern Europe: Solutions for a Future Common Project, p. 46
- ^ Note: Popadanets is a Russian neologism derived from the verb popast, “to get or land into (something)”.
- ^ a b “Попаданцы: Штампы и Открытия”, Boris Nevsky, Mir Fantastiki ("World of Science Fiction"), no.109; September 2012.