| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Aelf |
Posted - 03 Jun 2005 : 14:46:27
Good day to all,
As a DM trying to capture the 'feeling' of the Realms I would ask if someone has put together a dictionary of phrases/words that help set the tone. I'm referring to items such as 'dawnfry' from Ed's writing - things (apart from locale and persona) that would immediately signal the players that they are elsewhere.
Apologies in advance if this isn't clear or has been asked and answered numerous times.
Highest regards,
Aelf, bard of the Realms
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| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Kyrene |
Posted - 17 Mar 2010 : 17:39:49
quote:
Originally posted by Matthus
Wow - stunning work!
Is there a chance to bring in some dwarven phrases? I might have one or two of them - just have to search a little bit ...
There are quite a few dwarven Common phrases in the list already, so have a look. If you can add any more (either in Dwarven or Common), while citing sources, I'd be glad to add them in. |
| Matthus |
Posted - 17 Mar 2010 : 10:25:33
Wow - stunning work!
Is there a chance to bring in some dwarven phrases? I might have one or two of them - just have to search a little bit ... |
| Kyrene |
Posted - 17 Mar 2010 : 09:31:28
This list has reached 500+ phrases, sayings and words, and I have therefore moved it to the dedicated Glossary of Phrases, Sayings & Words of the Realms scroll. Future updates will happen there. |
| Kyrene |
Posted - 04 Mar 2010 : 07:02:10
I realised I had grossly misunderstood THO regarding the terms "Boots" and "Brawn". Those two terms have now been corrected. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 03 Mar 2010 : 22:12:37
Wow, that's an impressive list! |
| Kyrene |
Posted - 03 Mar 2010 : 15:16:09
Added some place (edit: and religious) nomenclature so that some of the other entries make more sense.
Edit: Verified and corrected some of the sources. |
| Kyrene |
Posted - 02 Mar 2010 : 20:25:13
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Sages of Realmslore, I think, since it's also where other compiled listings and such have been stored. I'll even add some adhesive to this "Realmspeak" scroll once you've stored it away on the Sages shelf. That okay?
Sounds good! 
quote:
Originally posted by Matt James
I love this scroll :D
Care to contribute a little something, Grandsir James? |
| Matt James |
Posted - 02 Mar 2010 : 13:44:23
I love this scroll :D |
| The Sage |
Posted - 02 Mar 2010 : 07:54:32
quote:
Originally posted by Kyrene
Sage, which forum/bookshelf would be a good place to post a 'final' topic/scroll once this list reaches sufficient size?
Sages of Realmslore, I think, since it's also where other compiled listings and such have been stored. I'll even add some adhesive to this "Realmspeak" scroll once you've stored it away on the Sages shelf. That okay?
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| Kyrene |
Posted - 02 Mar 2010 : 07:41:28
I've only now finished with the ones in my notes and most of what Daviot listed here. Quite a few were found in Ed's Realmslore articles, so I shall 'quickly' run through those next, then start with So saith Ed.
Sage, which forum/bookshelf would be a good place to post a 'final' topic/scroll once this list reaches sufficient size? |
| The Sage |
Posted - 02 Mar 2010 : 00:39:16
Impressive!
Kyrene, I may have some musical-related Realmspeak terms to add also, but I'll have to check my files first. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 02 Mar 2010 : 00:08:55
Nice work!  |
| Kyrene |
Posted - 01 Mar 2010 : 20:33:36
Glossary of Phrases, Sayings, and Words of the Realms (N to Z)
Final Edit: Please see Glossary of Phrases, Sayings & Words of the Realms |
| Kyrene |
Posted - 01 Mar 2010 : 20:31:32
Glossary of Phrases, Sayings, and Words of the Realms (A to M)
Final Edit: Please see Glossary of Phrases, Sayings & Words of the Realms |
| Kyrene |
Posted - 01 Mar 2010 : 20:21:54
The glossary on page 1 was getting a little long, so I have changed it to "Unconfirmed". See the two posts below this for the confirmed alphabetical "A to M" and "N to Z" lists for now. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 30 Jan 2010 : 20:16:07
LOL!! I think I may have hear that one.... |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 30 Jan 2010 : 15:12:03
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
(do sea elves have any sayings peculiar to them? Hmm...)
They do indeed! Glug glug bloop squeal is a very popular one! Unfortunately, it doesn't translate well into Common.  |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 30 Jan 2010 : 06:11:26
Hmm, I might do that. I've been looking for a fun project to contribute. I am a member on the Chosen site, but their dictionary is pretty much just that. It doesn't have common phrases, just basic words, and a translator for converting speech to common. There's one from Grey Company's drow site that has a few phrases, but I was looking for something uniquely FR. Like, would there be any particular sayings in Menzo that aren't used in, say, Sshamath? As to the elven sayings, I think there are some on the other Grey Company site- maybe I could compile both into a sort of "Common elven phrases of all races" (do sea elves have any sayings peculiar to them? Hmm...)
Maybe someone could do one for halflings or gnomes, too... |
| Kyrene |
Posted - 29 Jan 2010 : 07:23:10
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
I'd love to see some of the elven phrases! Or a few fun drow expressions would be nice...
For Elven, I'd suggest Lord Karsus' (WotC) / Dagnirion's (here) Elven Dictionary. For Drow, I know of only one canon word I've read sofar (in Servant of the Shard), but you could try the Chosen of Eilistraee website.
Also, while the attempt with this is to have a general glossary (therefore not having it be language specific), I do not wish to duplicate the work Dagnirion has done. I suspect this glossary will therefore contain mostly Common, with a smattering of regional Human, and other non-Elven words. But, hey, why don't you compile a list of words you find, and post it here for me to include? |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 28 Jan 2010 : 19:24:27
I'd love to see some of the elven phrases! Or a few fun drow expressions would be nice... |
| Kyrene |
Posted - 28 Jan 2010 : 07:15:40
quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
Maybe I'll think of more--y'know, *after* 8 in the morning . . .
*passes you some kaeth*
Too stlarning early for you goodsir?  More would definately be appreciated. |
| Erik Scott de Bie |
Posted - 27 Jan 2010 : 15:38:59
Just one I remembered off-the-top:
"Sand, having the": a saying of the Shining South, to denote courage/tough posturing (in real life, we'd say "having the balls"). "Sand" is also occasionally used as a curse word among the same folk. (Depths of Madness)
Maybe I'll think of more--y'know, *after* 8 in the morning . . .
Cheers |
| Kyrene |
Posted - 18 Jan 2010 : 18:01:43
quote:
Originally posted by Daviot
Well met Kyrene,
I've collected some words and phrases in my followings here at the 'Keep, so I'll see if I can dig some out. These may take a few posts.
My thanks
quote:
Originally posted by Daviot
More Realmspeak (and some terminology), this time pulled from the 3.0 FRCS:
More thanks
quote:
Originally posted by Daviot
More Realmspeak (and gestures) from Ed, pulled from one of his old Around the Realms articles:
And more thanks. I shall add these to the list as soon as I can.
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I should like to make a suggestion for this collection of Realms-specific terminology... For each word or phrase, notate next to it where it came from (Ed, the FRCS, whatever). Doing that means that once someone takes the time to alphabetize all of these terms, we still have a source for every one of them.
Good idea, Wooly! I have done so for my original list, and will try as far as possible to keep such references in the alphabetized master list I am building up.
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Additionally, it might be worth assigning specific categories for certain terms to individual scribes.
I know from my own experiences collating such info, that it can be difficult to catch EVERYTHING. So maybe having scribes focus specifically on certain categories, will make it easier for both old and new participants, to contribute.
Once more scribes volunteer to help, of course. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 16 Jan 2010 : 00:57:15
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I should like to make a suggestion for this collection of Realms-specific terminology... For each word or phrase, notate next to it where it came from (Ed, the FRCS, whatever). Doing that means that once someone takes the time to alphabetize all of these terms, we still have a source for every one of them.
I agree.
I've managed something similar with my own glossary of Realms terms for my home campaigns, so it shouldn't be too much of a stretch to apply the same trend with this online listing.
Additionally, it might be worth assigning specific categories for certain terms to individual scribes.
I know from my own experiences collating such info, that it can be difficult to catch EVERYTHING. So maybe having scribes focus specifically on certain categories, will make it easier for both old and new participants, to contribute. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 15 Jan 2010 : 23:48:59
I should like to make a suggestion for this collection of Realms-specific terminology... For each word or phrase, notate next to it where it came from (Ed, the FRCS, whatever). Doing that means that once someone takes the time to alphabetize all of these terms, we still have a source for every one of them. |
| Daviot |
Posted - 15 Jan 2010 : 19:44:04
More Realmspeak (and gestures) from Ed, pulled from one of his old Around the Realms articles:
Dwarf Common:
•"A little down!"—(originally accompanied by letting a sparse handful of sand or gravel fall from one's palm)—means "So it goes!" (Or, to modern, real-world speakers, a variant on "That's the way the cookie crumbles!")
•"A fair fallhammer!"—something satisfyingly good, such as a meal, a brawl, a decision, or victorious confrontation.
•"Curlbeard"—something bitter or disgusting in taste or smell, or something nauseating.
•"Darrown" (pronounced "darr-OW-nn")—noble, superb, supremely dwarf-like and praiseworthy (even an act or the speech of a non-dwarf, such as an elf risking his life to save a dwarf in battle).
•"Galakkur"—applied to anything messy, untidy, or sloppy. It's derived from the name of a legendary dwarf who did everything fast but in slapdash manner, heedless of even obvious consequences. The real Galakkur lived some eight centuries ago. Tavern-tales give him various, improbably sticky ends. His misdeeds have been greatly exaggerated since by the addition of many invented tales of his life and doings.
•"Goldnose"—haughty (behavior called "highnose" by any human in the Realms not a member of, or trying to pretend membership in, the upper classes). Dwarves find such behavior contemptible in elves and amusingly silly when practiced by humans.
•"Ho! That one had teeth in it!"—used in commentary on anything large and uncomfortable such as a belch, breaking wind, a blow to the head, or a fall.
•"Mardarl"—an effort to hide something, either physically or by withholding information (or twisting a conversation onto another topic, right now). An example would be a false name, particularly when used to conceal gender (for instance, a female dwarf using a name such as Brokh or Garlfang to make non-dwarves think they're dealing with a male).
•"Ogurkh" (pronounced "OH-gurk")—something unbelievable, insane, monumentally stupid, or the result of crazed, dunderheaded, or scarcely-to-be-believed actions. "Blazing proper ogurkh" is an exasperated dwarf's straining-to-stay-polite comment on something that really upsets or irks him. "Burns me ogurkh" is the dwarven equivalent of "sticks in my craw."
•"Paerth" (pronounced "PAIR-urth")—the disgusted equivalent of balderdash, piffle, not bloody likely, or fat chance!
•"Shards!"—a gentle oath derived from the loss of a gemstone or good building-stone that breaks into fragments. It's the equivalent of a real-world speaker saying, "darn it all!" or a similarly mild expletive.
•"Sprendle"—a trick, prank, or deliberate misdirection, especially if lighthearted and harmless or meant to prevent a confrontation.
•"Tarunter" (sometimes "a proper tarunter")—a word to describe anything pretentious or fussy (such as elven dancing and most human festival celebrations or "goldnose" etiquette). Dwarves never apply this word to religious customs, dress, or rituals, even of a human faith they barely understand or that seems fussy at first glance.
•"Unbearded"—foolish talk or deeds (an "unbearded one" is a fool, "full-unbearded" is a mad dwarf). Dwarves never apply this word to non-dwarves (because, as the old dwarf joke goes, all non-dwarves can safely be assumed to be fools until proven otherwise, and such proof appears for only a handful of individuals once or twice a century). Something that's "fair unbearded" is reckless or dangerous.
•"Vellamorn"—treasure, valuables, hidden wealth. Originally a silly euphemism for gold used in dwarf rhymes and jests (derived from the name of a fictitious dwarf maiden in a ballad who wore only gowns made of linked gold coins). This has become a code-word for dwarves wanting to discuss (for example) gold coins without saying "gold coins" where others might overhear. |
| Daviot |
Posted - 15 Jan 2010 : 19:37:39
More Realmspeak (and some terminology), this time pulled from the 3.0 FRCS:
•Zor/Zora: general form of address/honorific for Mulmaster nobility
•Syl: general honorific for Calishite nobility
•Saer: general honorific for people of uncertain rank. [Note: From what I've seen, some folk will apply saer in a more general sense to just about anybody. Adventurers, even if commoners technically, generally don't like to be called "Goodman". Canon status of this might be under debate.]
•"Well met": Most common greeting/farewell in Common.
•"Oloré" ("oh-LOR-ay"): Common greeting/farewell around the Sea of Fallen Stars.
•"Sweet water and light laughter until next we meet", a translation of the elven "Lisse`alus ent laema`lalaith tenna lle aelouva.*", a phrase under adoption by trendy human nobles, using as a farewell.
*[From the compiled Faerûnian Elven Dictionary.]
•"I go.": Dwarven greeting/farewell, presumably a direct translation of the Dwarven. Also common with merchants of all races.
•"Elf day": The Dales' term for the tenth day of a tenday, taken by some to be a non-holiday day of rest.
•"Dragon-rest": The Cormyrean term for the tenth day of a tenday, from the saying "Even a dragon has to rest."
[Note: The FRCS notes that there's no universal term for this day of the week.]
•"Ghost hold": One of numerous country cottages, manors, and similar in the backwoods of the Central Dales (Battledale, Mistledale, etc.), typically built or purchased by Cormyrean or Sembian nobility as hunting lodges and typically abandoned. Monsters and bandits typically use the ghost holds as lairs and hideouts.
•"Zhent": A person originating from Zhentil Keep, though the term is used more broadly for citizens, soldiers, and members of the Zhentarim. "Zhentish" means much the same. Earlier sourcebooks use it, but 3.0 mentions it as being derisive.
•"Zhentilar": A slightly-outdated but still in use term to refer to the army of Zhentil Keep, to distinguish them from the Zhentarim.
•"Zhentarim": A member of the eponymous secret society or the society itself. Zhentarim can be in/associated with the army or independent operators.
•"Wychlaran": the proper Rashemi term for the organization of female spellcasters commonly termed "The Witches of Rashemen"
•"Hathran": ("learned sister/sisterhood") Rashemi term for a full-ranking member of the Wychlaran.
•"blethran": ("sisterkin") Rashemi term for a Wychlaran novice.
•"othlor": ("true ones") Rashemi term for the female Wychlaran elders/leaders of the organization.
•"Vremyonni": ("old ones") Rashemi term for the cloistered male spellcasters of Rashemen.
•"dajeema": Rashemi term for a year-long pilgrimage/coming-of-age journey that most [presumably well-to-do] Rashemi take.
•"tharch": One of the major counties/administrative provinces of Thay.
•"tharchion": An appointed civil leader of a Thayan tharch, about equivalent to a count or margrave.
•"autharch": A bureaucrat/minister to a tharchion.
•"zulkir": One of the ruling members of the Red Wizards, and by extension one of the magocratic oligarchs of Thay. There is one zulkir for each of the schools of arcane magic.
•"Faerzress": Drow term for the ambient magical radiation that suffuses most of the Underdark, interfering with divinatory and transportative magics.
•"doom": term for a lich's (or other powerful sentient undead) lair or demesne. Usually used in the form of "[Name]doom". |
| Daviot |
Posted - 15 Jan 2010 : 18:55:20
Well met Kyrene,
I've collected some words and phrases in my followings here at the 'Keep, so I'll see if I can dig some out. These may take a few posts.
Heartlands/Widespread Common Slang (as copied from Ed/THO):
•“kell” means ‘try,’ but is only used when whatever is being tried is unfinished, nigh-impossible, tricky or dangerous, or there’s some doubt as to whether whoever’s trying it will ever accomplish it (and “kell” is used unchanged regardless of tense, and sometimes also in place of the word “done,” as in: “You’re not going to kell stealing THAT, are you?” and “Kell such feats often, have you?”). Polite speech sticks to ‘try’ and ‘tried’ and ‘done,’ leaving “kell” for cynical, disbelieving, or openly derisive speech (“Kings always SAY they’ll clean all monsters out of the woods. Oh, and they KELL, too, for a tenday, each of them, sometimes sending more than one knight to do it, too.”)
•“stlarn” and “stlarning” are fairly polite equivalents for the f-word, of about the blasphemous strength of ‘darn!’ and see use where we might say “screwing up” (They can’t kell one simple task without stlarning up!) or (for Brits) “bloody alarm clock!” (stlarning time-bells!)
•a “codloose winker” is a lecher (derivation: a winking man with a loose or often-removed codpiece)
•a “darkblade” is a mercenary (“hiresword”) demonstrably lacking in principles or loyalty to a patron who’s hired him
•a “scorchkettle” is a woman who delivers impressively blistering words to someone in public (usually because she’s quick-tempered). Also used to describe someone of either gender who engages in too many tiresome histrionics when negiotiating a purchase or sale.
•“gulletfire” is bad beer or wine, whereas “throatslake” is any drinkable that takes care of thirst and doesn’t cause illness in doing so, but isn’t particularly pleasant to drink
•a “spurnarmor” is either a woman with a spectacular figure, or a well-endowed man (as in: “If I had those, I’d be a spurnarmor too!” or: “Galad! What a spurnarmor!”)
•“Galad!” is the current Heartlands replacement for “Zooks!” or “Zounds!” or any nonsense word used as an “I’m astonished” or “I’m impressed” expression . . . and Elminster probably brought “Gadzooks!” and “Zounds!” into the Realms from his our-real-world visits centuries back, so in the Realms they HAVEN’T developed from “God’s wounds!”
•“glim” means “beautiful in an eye-catching way” (flashy)
•“lalandath” means agile, sleek, lithe, and is often said of dancers or women whose beauty is accentuated by their movements (so a well-built but sleekly-dancing tavern dancer might be described as: “WHAT a glimmer! A lalandath spurnarmor, glim enough to leave every man in the place rivvim, and my codpiece itching!”)
so, of course:
•“rivvim” means “lust” or “lusty” (As in: “I’m fair rivvim when I looks upon her.”)
•“badaulder” (pronounced BAH-doll-durr, with a lilt in the word) is the western Heartlands expression for “bullshit!” or “hogwash!” (closer to the second, and its usage is creeping into Cormyr right now, headed for Sembia, the Dales, and the Moonsea)
•“haularake!” (pronounced HALL-ah-rake, and said very quickly, as if it has but one syllable) is the all-faiths, acceptable in polite society equivalent of “God damn it!” (or perhaps “God damn it all, anyway!”)
•“thael” means glad, or pleasant, or heart-lifting (As in “I’m always thael to see her,” or “That feast was right thael” or “I always get that moment of thael, when I look down from the ridge and see
. . . home.”)
•"darburl" (pronounced DAR-burl) Angry, as in "I'm rght darburl, just now," or "He makes me proper darburl, that one"; a socially polite way of signaling displeasure.
•"nandra" means "could be better" or "Looks mediocre to me". Also used when dickering over the price of good, especially perishables, to mean that they're not of the best quality or are close to spoiling.
•"waelo", a greeting with the connotation that "Hey there, I want to make a deal!" or "I'm interested in your wares," or "Anyone want to do a little business". |
| Kyrene |
Posted - 15 Jan 2010 : 07:13:03
The above short list (for now) is only what I have needed to use personally. I have notes on more words, but have not yet edited them into this format. I suspect that once the list grows to a substantial size, I can open a dedicated scroll for it. Any submissions to the list can be done via a post here (regardless of the format, as long as I can edit it), PM or email. If I have not received submissions from scribes (that have in the past indicated that they too have lists) within two weeks, I shall start pestering them via PMs. I would also hope to collate all past "Ask Ed" responses with glossaries or 'Realmspeak' by the end of this year. |
| Kyrene |
Posted - 15 Jan 2010 : 07:01:46
Fristly, a few notes on the format:
Since it is in the form of a glossary, it is the phrase/word in question, followed by what language it is in, followed by a description, followed by one or more source/s.
If the phrase/word is possibly non-canonical, it is preceded by an asterisk (*), and I expect help and/or confirmation/denial of its canon use.
Included are swear words, and I have tried to censor them partially. If this is inadequate, please moderators, let me know (or edit as appropriate).
Glossary of Phrases, Sayings, and Words of the Realms (Unconfirmed)
Final Edit: Please see Glossary of Phrases, Sayings & Words of the Realms |
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