Some Lingual Quirks

Welcome all!

So in this page I'd like to address some basic "lingual quirks" present in each of the five nations. These quirks are simple uses of specific words, phrases, or sayings which are unique to each nation.

** Also, disclaimer: Some nations have more sayings than others because I'm not terribly imaginative with these things. So if you guys have suggestions which you think fit based on the culture information and such, feel free to send them to me in a private message or tag me in the "OOC Discussion" page and we can figure out whether or not they will be added into the RP officially!



- (except Shaharan) "Gods above."

This phrase is basically "oh my god," and is a respectful way to acknowledge that even if your faith is monotheistic there are other faiths out there. So this is something of a more accessible and universal "oh my god" as opposed to "Mother Eternal" or "Holy Father" which excludes other faiths from the statement and potentially the conversation.



- "Tempest, take me (you)."

This phrase has three meanings.

The first is the rough equivalent of saying "for fuck's sake," and is used when things go horribly wrong or something incredibly embarrassing takes place.

The second meaning is very, very sexual, and most commonly heard during foreplay or just before foreplay begins. Most commonly used by women, though more submissive men can and do use it as well, the phrase can imply that their lover is the raging sea and they wish to be lost within the maelstrom of passion that the act of sex represents. Basically, it's an incredibly sultry and still sort of polite way of saying "I'm ready to fuck."

The final meaning is only observed when "you" is the subject instead of "me." "Tempest, take you" is basically a nice way of saying either a solid "fuck you," or "you're on your own."

- "Tip of the spear/trident."

This is the same thing as "tip of the iceberg," indicating that whatever the subject is has only just scratched the surface of something.

- "What a pearl."

This phrase means the same as "what a babe" or "what a hunk," depending on which gender is doing the speaking as it's used freely by either one.

- "(May you) bathe with Sa'kte."

This phrase is a (relatively) polite but still venomous way of wishing death upon someone else. And in most civilized conversation this phrase will never be uttered. But behind closed doors, or in the case of those who live within the underworld of society, this phrase can and often is commonplace between enemies.

- "May you dance with Palla."

This phrase is used almost exclusively in times of mourning for beloved figures of great social importance such as the passing of current or former rulers, or amazing and one-of-a-kind artists who brought fame and attention to the nation through their artwork. To dance with Palla, Goddess of the Heavens, is to imply the departed was worthy of touching the hand of a Goddess and sharing the space of her dominion for the duration of the dance (which some argue lasts hundreds of years since the Gods and the dead have no stamina limits). Such an honor is rarely bestowed or gifted to the departed. But if this phrase is heard, it truly speaks to the depths of love and respect the person saying it had for whomever passed from this world.

- "Drown in it."

This phrase has multiple meanings.

The first meaning is basically telling someone "fuck you."

The second, which is far more polite, is usually a joking way of saying "sucks to be you" and is most commonly used when someone has become the butt end of a joke or was just successfully pranked. Someone gets pranked and starts complaining, someone will almost always laugh and say "Eh, go drown in it."

The third meaning is basically "tough shit."

The fourth and final meaning is "enjoy it," and is used almost exclusively by close friends or family when someone they know has just been bestowed a great gift.



- "Blessed Mother Eternal."

This is the equivalent of saying "oh my god!" And its emotional impact depends on the context of the conversation.

- "May you soar with the sun."

This phrase essentially means "may your day be blessed."



- "Sand in your pants."

This can mean a number of things based on context, but the most common meaning is basically the same as "don't get your panties in a twist."

- "Your ass is in your chest."

This is a nasty way of telling someone to "man up" or "grow a backbone."

- "Stuck on a stick."

Someone is not accomplishing anything despite an obvious effort.

- "You're scorpion bait."

Basically saying "I'm going to kill you."

- "Kiss the sand."

This is one of the nastiest insults you can throw at another human being in Shaharanian culture. Despite the desert and the sand being such a big part of the world in which they live, it's quite literally "beneath" humanity as nothing more than what you walk on. To kiss the sand (or any ground that you walk on) is akin to abandoning your place with humanity and becoming less than human.



- "As cold as stone."

Whoever the subject of conversation is has no empathy and is colder than the stone the nation is famous for.

- "Golden smile."

A smile that's so fake you'd have to be a fool to believe whatever the person opposite you is saying.

- "Sit with a snake."

You're about to sit with someone whom you can't trust, and need to watch your back around.

- "... Take a knife in the chest."

Whoever says they expect you to "take a knife to the chest" is openly stating they think you're so stupid that you don't need to be taken by surprise to be taken advantage of by someone else.

- "Glimpse Eurugon."

To suggest a glimpse of Eurugon is almost always reserved for instances when you know you're about to die (or believe you're going to die so much that you've abandoned all sense of caution and whatever happens is going to happen). It means to "die with honor and greet our one true God."



- "Breathe with the forest."

This is a suggestion (or an order) to calm down and refocus yourself.

- "The air is (suddenly) sweet as honey."

Almost comically it has nothing to do with the air. When "the air is (suddenly) sweet as honey," it means that whoever says this phrase is actually suddenly smitten by a beautiful/handsome passerby. Basically it's a polite way of admitting you're being distracted from whatever other conversation or interaction you were previously engaged in.

- "Kissed by the Earth."

To be kissed by the Earth means you are blessed (or very, very lucky).