Posers (Or, more correctly, Poseurs ) are individuals who are perceived as pretending to sympathize and identify with a particular subculture in order to gain social status within it. The heckling of posers makes them either learn how to assimilate, or else makes them leave the social grouping. Heckling can be thought of as a balancing mechanism to allow for social order in social groupings. The origin of the word is believed to come from the phrase "posing as", as posers often "pose as" something they aren't. In addition, the phrase also can mean, quite literally, "one who strikes poses", usually in a (failed) attempt to look "cool" or "dashing". For instance, the American Chain Store Hot Topic has been called a "store for posers" by hardcore Goths. Posers can also be linked to people who learn about the Pixies from Nirvana.

See: Punk rock, Gothic rock, Fashion

Curious Labs' Poser is a computer software that renders 3-D scenes and people by Curious Labs (previously by MetaCreations ). This and other 3-D rendering programs have created a subculture of animation professionals, that render their fantasies. The current version is 6.

Poser is able to make animations as well (multiple renders in different camera views or different scenes).

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Refers to the hair bands of the 80's whose members commonly wore "big" hair and makeup in an attempt to look more feminine. They often "posed" for photos/album covers with suggestive female subtlety (puckered lips, squinty eyes, etc). Often the target of ridicule by persons who listened to more "heavy" bands. Bands most frequently referred to as being "Posers": Poison, Motley Crue and Cinderella. Term used extensively by the Billy Milano-fronted band "M.O.D." on their debut album, "March of the MOD".