Ruengoethe
List of Idioms
Below is a list of some phrases and idioms used in Ackenzal and its colonies, current and former.
Phrase | Meaning | Origin |
“A Trickster’s maze” | Something overly complicated or not navigable | From the anathem’s legend |
“Find salt in the sand” | To discover meaning in a mundane place | From a parable explaining the Oversoul |
“Yarn-talk” | To use innuendo or to subtly communicate a hidden message. | From the Magpies’ method of using knotted yarns to send secret messages. |
“Barking-Iron” | A pistol. | – |
“Hush-Steel” | A springbolt. | Purposeful inversion of “Barking-Iron” |
"Flap-bleeder | A preparation of chewing quid. | From the red saliva chewers produce and spit out from their ‘flaps’ (mouths) |
“Advance the spark” | To ready oneself. | A term from smithing. |
“Warm as a Scheznyk’s tit” | Very cold | Ironic, referring to the frigid climate of Ejdaqru |
“Flaybottomist” | A teacher | From the use of paddling in schools |
" Pygmie kiss " | Oral sex | From halflings’ height and prevalence as prostitutes in Wyvar and other regions of Ackenzal |
“Fresh off the horn” | Overcooked; also, a veteran | Fanciful location of where overcooked meat is cut from |
“Buff Rutter” | Someone who sleeps with slavebred. | ‘Buff’ is slang for dog, ‘rut’ a term for mating season. |
“Followmelads” | The curls that hang below a woman’s shoulder | – |
“Man of Letters” | A criminal | Refers to the practice of burning characters into the skin of criminals to indicate the crime committed |
“Coney-catcher” | A con man | A term for a rabbit hunter. |
“Hide it Delve deep” | To bury a secret beyond recovery | Reference to The Delve |
“Untied” | Dead | In reference to the destruction of a Knot after death. |
“Merry-Begotten” | Child of a prostitute; a bastard | – |
“Witcher Tilter” | A basket-hilted sword | From the swords commonly used by The Inquisition |
“Walking the Way” | To walk or act as if one is of high station. | From the famous road in Wyvar called “King’s Way”, which the High King used to take to his palace. |
“Summer Court charm” | Diplomatic ability | Reference to the Ondine telepathic ability |
“Go to the crows!” | An insult, meaning ‘go to hell’ | – |