LAWhammer Lexicon, Part 2 (Patreon)

Following on from my introduction to the LAWhammer Lexicon I'm building, I figured it was time to show you where I am for the first third of it. 

Currently the lexicon is split into three parts:

• Euphimisms, Idioms, and Slang

• Thieves' Cant, a Glossary

• Genteel Banter

So, 1) common terms used by everyone, 2) street language for those with Language (Thieves' Tongue), and 3) some upper-class slang for the nobles and courtiers. So, if you have a phrase you expected to see listed here, it may yet be coming later.

This post deals with the first part: Euphimisms, Idioms, and Slang. I still have a bunch of terms I'd like to add, but we're at the point where you can all see how it's building.

If you have more ideas for some good slang to add, drop a comment and I'll add all the ones that best fit with the campaign I'm building. Also, this hasn't been edited yet, so if you spot any errors, please tell me in the comments or on the LAWhammer Discord and I'll fix them.

Once this is finished, I'll compile it all in a pdf and post it in this blog for you all to download.

Content Warning: As this post includes some popular oaths and swearwords from the setting, it contains material that some may find offensive. If the post falls foul of this:

...I'll edit anything Patreon tells me to edit and we can all wait for the final pdf for the unedited version.

That said, let's go!

EUPHIMISMS, IDIOMS, and SLANG

Including the commonplace Cusses and Curses of Rogues, Sailors, and Soldiers
A limited Guide for gentler Folk

Slang words course from countless sources, forming vast seas of language, with new words flowing into existence as old words are washed away. This makes recording the many euphimisms, idioms, and slang words of Reikspiel seem a futile effort because these words are so prone to change through use. However, a careful etymologist note that the very process of recording these shifting words can calcify them, granting them a certain immunity to the eroding waves of time and linguistic drift.

As an example, consider the seminal Lingua Vulgaris Aldorfii by Sister Fralina Gross, a forward-thinking nun of the Shallyan Ordo Illustratio. The controversial dictionary is not only an essential text for any study of vulgarity, it has also ensured some words and phrases have endured long after they would normally have faded into obscurity.

Fortnightly, Sister Fralina took midnight walks through the poorer quarters of Altdorf, eavesdropping in rookeries, gambling halls, fighting pits, dockyards, brothels, and less salubrious establishments. From these halls of the destitute and desperate, places also populated by immigrant communities from across the Known World, she unflinchingly recorded every colourful curse, cuss, and blasphemy she encountered.

Later, when ensconced in her cloister, she compiled her lexicon of vulgarity alongside detailed footnotes concerning the many memorable characters she encountered. Although the volume caused widespread outrage when published in 2267IC and was banned by the Cult of Sigmar for over two centuries, today the book is recognised for the monumentally important work that it is. Not only does it offer an extraordinary insight into Altdorf’s history, but the language it recorded would be repeatedly referenced for the next two and a half centuries, ensuring the words it collected retained their use and relevance.

Without Sister Fralina’a determination, diligence, and bravery, convenient phrases as ‘finished with piss’ or ‘farts in the fog’ would have been lost to us forever, as they would surely not have survived the linguistic progression and evolution of our language. But, because of her painstaking work, those phrases and so many more were recorded and referenced for decades, guaranteeing their use to this day. This is why, as an academic community, we shall forever mourn Sister Fralina’s loss when she was compiling her unpublished, and much needed, Vulgari Lingua Ogrus.

The following list collects some of the most frequently encountered slang words and phrases found across the Empire, and all are widely understood. Caution should be considered before uttering the courser examples, as local custom can lend greater significance to even the most innocent seeming of obscenity. This is especially the case where blasphemy is concerned.

The following words and phrases are commonplace in the Empire.

A

Acts of Rhya. Sexual intercourse.

This term is used in several Sigmarite holy texts as a euphemism for physical intimacy. It is also a mainstay of the Cults of Taal and Rhya.

An anvil fears no hammer. Stick to the teachings of Sigmar and all will be well.

As sure as Siggurd! Done with confidence.

Chiefly used in Averland and Wissenland.

Averland soldier. Over-dressed idiot with no sense of fashion.

Chiefly used in Mootland, Stirland, Reikland, and Wissenland.

Aye. Yes.

Chiefly used in the north of the Empire.

B

Blood and Bones! Exclamation of surprise.

Considered deeply blasphemous as it calls on The Blood God.

Blood God, The. The Chaos God of Bloodshed and Rage.

Although a common euphemism and not blasphemous, it is deeply frowned upon to utter the Blood God without need. This substitution is used by Sigmarites in their weekly throngs, by academics, and by the courts of law, so is universally understood. And feared.

Bloody Hells! (Exclamation of surprise.)

Considered deeply blasphemous as it calls on The Blood God.

Bretonnian bathhouse. 1) Empty; 2) Unused.

‘’Head like a Bretonnian bathhouse, that one.’ That person is an idiot.

‘Nowt to worry about, the old mill’s like a Bretonnian bathhouse.’ There is nothing to worry about, the old mill is unused.

Born by Morr’s light. 1) Ill-omened; 2) Ill-favoured appearance; 3) Suspicious.

Suggests the person was born at night when Morrslieb, the Chaos moon, was full.

By the Gods! Common exclamation of surprise.

Often shortened to just Gods!

By the hammer! Exclamation of surprise, especially in a martial or noble surrounding.

Notably more common in Reikland and Wissenland.

By the North Road. By the most dangerous route.

Chiefly used in Hochland, Middenland, and Talabecland.

C

Cack-handed. Clumsy.

Suggests using the off-hand, the hand commonly used in the Empire to wipe yourself, or your ‘cack hand’.

From Old Teutognen kakken dung + hand.

Cat’s pissing on me. I am having very bad luck.

Clawed intervention. Military attack.

Chiefly used in Hochland, Middenland, and Nordland. Recently, this has been repurposed as Taloned Intervention in the Reikland, a reference to the emperor’s griffin, Deathclaw.

Cross-hearted. Honourable.

From the Imperial Cross, a symbol of honour in the Empire.

Crow husband/wife. Widower/widow.

D

Da. Yes.

Chiefly used in the east of the Empire.

Dark Prince, The. Slaanesh, the Chaos God of Sensation and Excess.

Although a common euphemism and not blasphemous, it is deeply frowned upon to utter the Dark Prince without need. This substitution is used by Sigmarites in their weekly throngs, by academics, and by the courts of law, so is universally understood.

Dead as Morr’s cold cock. Quite dead.

Considered blasphemy in Ostermark.

Dove-eyed. 1) Can’t see anything bad in another; 2) Cross-eyed.

From the dove symbol of Shallya, the Goddess of Mercy. Myths claim Ranald, God of Trickery, stole immortality from Shallya because she could not see through his lies.

Drak-tongued. Prone to lying.

Chiefly used in Middenland, Nordland, and Reikland.

Dry-eyed. Merciless.

Chiefly used in Reikland and Wissenland. Refers to Shallya, Goddess of Mercy, who always cries.

Dyrath’s tears. Menstrual blood.

Chiefly used in the north of the Empire. So-called because Dyrath, Goddess of Childbirth, is said to cry for each cycle that passes without a child.

E

Eagles and women. (A common response to why did a war break out, suggesting it was ‘religion and sex’.)

Chiefly used in Averland and Wissenland.

Even unto death. Common toast in Hochland.

Considered an insult by Talabeclanders.

F

Family business! Trails and executions.

Common in the south of the Empire. References the Cult of Verena, the Goddess of Justice’s, business.

Fangs bared. Openly carrying weapons.

Chiefly used in the north of the Empire. A reference to Ulric, the God of Winter and War’s, penchant to snarl when angered.

Farts in the fog. All talk, no action.

Chiefly used in Reikland.

In Talebecland, Ostermark, and Hochland, where the phrase may have originated, it’s posed as Farts on ma sheaf or Farts on ma horn, suggesting that the phrase’s target is only spreading bad air about the interlocutor’s sexual organs, and that no real actual action is taking place.

In Nordland, it’s instead phrased as Wind on ma balls.

In Ostland it’s shortened further to just Wind on balls.

Finished with piss. Stupid, ill-fashioned person.

The phrase suggests a conception with urine, not semen.

Flaming comet! (Exclamation of surprise.)

From the twin-tailed comet symbol of Sigmar, which is said to have heralded his birth.

Fought a wolf. Was beaten up by a ‘pack’ gathered to score revenge for an earlier slight.

Common in the north of the Empire.

G

Gelt. Gold coin

Chiefly used in the north of the Empire.

From Old Reikspiel gelt gold.

Gobhorn! 1) Useless person; 2) Someone that talks rubbish.

The phrase comes from ‘As useful as a Goblin’s horn.’ This is generally taken to mean, ‘All you’re useful for is pissing’.

Greencloak. Noble.

So-called for the green velvet cloaks worn by nobles at the Altdorf court.

Guilder. 1) Any coin with a high gold content; 2) Anything with high value.

So-called because the gold coinage of the Wasteland is called the guilder and has a higher gold content than Empire coins.

H

Hanger. Scabbarded sword or long knife.

Of naval origin. Chiefly used Reikland and Nordland.

Has Shallya’s eyes. Can only see pain.

Chiefly used in the south of the Empire.

Has Shallya’s hands. Is very kind.

Chiefly used in the south of the Empire.

Heart is empty. Tremendous suffering has occurred.

Chiefly used in the south of the Empire.

He’d lay hands on Shallya.1) He comments or explains things to women in condescending, overconfident, and oversimplified ways; 2) He’d claim anything to touch a woman.

Horn. Male genitals.

Originally from Talabecland, euphemistically using the religious term ‘Taal’s Horns’ to represent male sexual organs. This term is universal and not considered particularly rude.

Hundsfott! A bad person.

Hunting with Ulric. Slain.

I

In for a pfennig, in for a crown. You’ve started, so you may as well finish.

Originally from Ottilan Talabheim where it was said that those who fell in debt for a pfennig might as well accept they will owe a gold crown once all taxes and penalties are applied.

J

Ja. Yes.

Chiefly used in the north-west of the Empire.

K

Karl. A gold crown.

So-called because they are engraved with the head of the Emperor, Karl-Franz.

Kiss the owl. Swear an oath of truth before Verena, Goddess of Justice.

Chiefly used in the south of the Empire.

L

Laughs like a wolf. 1) Has a deep, hearty laugh Chiefly the north of the Empire; 2) Has a cold, cruel laugh Chiefly the south of the Empire.

Like an ogre pulling a plague cart. Hungry.

Lord of Change, The. The Chaos God of Magic and Ambition.

Although a common euphemism and not blasphemous, it is deeply frowned upon to utter the Lord of Changewithout need. This substitution is used by Sigmarites in their weekly throngs, by academics, and by the courts of law, so is universally understood. And feared.

M

Manaan’s Feast. Storm.

Chiefly used in Nordland and Ostland.

Mark. Gold coin.

Muck. Silver shilling.

Chiefly used in rural Reikland, Stirland, and Talabecland.

Morr’s platter. A battlefield.

Chiefly used in Ostermark and Stirland.

Morr take you! Drop dead.

Although seemingly innocuous to many, this is deeply blasphemous in Ostermark, Stirland, and Talabecland.

Morr warmed up. 1) Pale; 2) Sickly.

Myrmidia’s Togs. Naked.

So-called because many statues of Myrmidia are naked.

N

Nay. No.

Chiefly used in the north and south-east of the Empire.

Nie. No.

Chiefly used in the far north of the Empire.

Norscan deal. Agreed under the threat of violence.

Chiefly used in Nordland and Ostland. Sometimes rephrased as Wolf’s deal.

Nulner Gentleman/Lady. 1) Homosexual, commonly in reference to a noble; 2) Bisexual Chiefly Stirland and Wissenland.

Nyet. No.

Chiefly used in Ostland and Ostermark.

O

Oi, that’s my leg! That’s mine, not yours.

Old Soldiers. Common toast in Ostland.

Considered an insult by Talabeclanders.

Only Morr knows. I don’t know how this situation will resolve itself.

P

Plague Lord, The. The Chaos God of Decay and Despair.

Although a common euphemism and not blasphemous, it is deeply frowned upon to utter the Plague Lord without need. This substitution is used by Sigmarites in their weekly throngs, by academics, and by the courts of law, so is universally understood. And feared.

Plank. A corpse found in a river.

Pus and Pestilence! (Exclamation of surprise.)

Considered deeply blasphemous as it calls on The Plague Lord.

R

Raise a torch. Protest.

Chiefly used in Hochland and Middenland.

Ranald’s bones! Bad luck!

A reference to Ranald’s knuckle-bone dice, which only favour the God of Luck.

Red Rub. Sudden anger.

Chiefly used in Hochland, Ostermark, and Talabecland.

Reikland soldier. A foppish, dandified, weak person who avoids conflict.

Chiefly used in Middenland, Nordland, and Talabecland.

Reik runs long and deep. Stop asking questions.

Chiefly used along the Reik river.

Rhya’s fancy. 1) An indulgence; 2) A big meal; 3) A flirtation.

Chiefly used in Mootland, Stirland, and Talabecland.

S

Sailed West. Died.

Chiefly used in Averland and Wissenland. References Myrmidia’s death and return to godhood after she manifested as mortal.

Salt cod. A corpse.

Chiefly used in Nordland and Ostland.

Salty spray. An unexpected event

So-called because Manaan, God of the Sea, is said to be locked at the bottom of the oceans, and incapable of giving anyone a proper ‘salty spray’.

Saved by Morr. Dead.

Shallya’s Ale. Water.

Shallya have mercy! (Appeal for the Goddess to protect you when in a time of need.)

Shallya’s tits! (Exclamation of surprise.)

Shallya is considered to be particularly prudish, so this is considered blasphemous by most given it may attract Shallya’s wrath.

Sheaf. Female genitals.

Originally from Talabecland, euphemistically using the religious term ‘Sheafs of Rhya’ to represent female sexual organs. This term is universal and not considered particularly rude.

Shrapnel. Brass or copper coins.

Si. Yes.

Chiefly used in the south of the Empire.

Sigmar’s blood! (Exclamation of surprise.)

Common everywhere. Considered blasphemy in Wissenland.

Sigmar’s comet! (Exclamation of surprise.)

Sigmar’s sausage! (Exclamation of surprise.)

Common in Mootland, Stirland, Reikland, Wissenland.
Often used by mummers, accompanied by false outrage, to indicate a bawdy situation.

Squigworst. A braggart who is likely compensating for having a small penis.

From squig creature with a huge mouth and little else + Old Reikspiel wurst sausage.

Snotlings in the cellar. Untidy, when referring to a house. Suggests snotlings, small greenskins, have been attracted by, or have caused, the mess. Compare to Trolls in the pantry.

‘Aye, that man’s got snotlings in ‘is cellar.’ Yes, that man’s house is untidy.

Sooner burn my bow! I’ll never do that!

Chiefly used in Hochland, Ostland, Stirland, and Talabecland.

Stone’s throw. Easy

Chiefly used in Averland and Wissenland.

Swimming with Manaan. Drowned.

T

Taal’s horns. Inflexible.

Often used to suggest someone is behaving poorly because they are unwilling to compromise.

Taal’s teeth! (Exclamation of surprise.)

Particularly common in Hochland, Talabecland, and Ostermark.

Tease the daughter, meet the father. If you take too many risks, you die.

So-called because those who take too many risks need appeal to Shallya, Goddess of Mercy, to recover, and are also more likely to die, thus meeting Shallya’s father, Morr, the God of Death.

There’s no living peeling apples! The task doesn’t pay well.

Chiefly used in Hochland, Middenland, and Ostland. From the meagre bounties offered for killing Greenskins in the Middle Mountains.

Throwing leg. Going on a long journey.

Chiefly used in Hochland and Ostland.

To the east. I have no idea where.

Referencing the last sighting of Sigmar, which had him going east.

Trolls in the pantry. Exceedingly messy and/or dirty when referring to a house. Suggests trolls have taken over the foodstores. Compare to Snotlings in the cellar.

‘I visited, yes. She’s troll’s in the pantry, that one.’ I visited her, yes. Her house was exceedingly untidy and dirty.

Ty Tor! (Exclamation of surprise.)

Chiefly used in Ostland and Ostermark.

U

Ulric’s tits! Exclamation of surprise, especially at something humorous.

Common in Hochland, Middenland, Nordland, and Ostland.

W

Wed in darkness. Spouse has been killed.

Chiefly used in Ostermark and Stirland. From the belief that Morr, the God of Death, allows the dead to visit their spouses in dreams.

Where there’s muck, there’s Halfings! If there is money to be made, someone will already be doing it.

A translation of the Mootish Fara biel muik, tha Haffen meaning Where there’s pigs, there’s Haffen. Idiomatically, that originally meant If there are no Halflings, don’t trust the food.

With the sun. Lost.

Chiefly used in Averland and Wissenland.

Wood’s Whispers. Things we’ll never know.

Chiefly used in the north of the Empire.

Y

You can skin them more than once. 1) They’re very gullible; 2) They’re very fat; 3) They’re very rich.

Chiefly used in Hochland and Ostland.

* * *

That'll do for now. The observant amongst you will note that two of the old Troll games from GW have now been referenced. Two more to go in the Thieves' Cant section!

Until then!