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ID: 2945
Hits: 66555
Comments: 29
Ideas: 0
Rating: 4.5
Condition: Normal
Submitted:
August 23, 2006, 9:58 pm
Updated:
March 20, 2009, 12:38 pm




Voted Hall of Honour:
Strolen
Wulfhere 2x
Moonlake
HoH not available due to level or sub is not 10 days old
Ye Olde English, the Archaic Word Challenge
By: Murometz

Forsooth!! (whatever the hell that means)

Ever since I bought a copy of Jeffrey Kacirk’s Forgotten Words tome, I have become somewhat obsessed with, well…forgotten words. As you read these bizarre, often-silly, and sometimes downright sensible words, phrases and their meanings, you may discover what I did. It seemed that almost every term I came across, instilled some sort of fantasy rpg idea in my head.

I propose a challenge for all word-lovers! Pick any one and do a submission featuring and inspired by said word. Simple enough right? I tried to pick some of the jucier ones.

This can be added to in three ways. Firstly as mentioned, as an entire submission based on one word or phrase. Secondly, more funky archaic terms can be added alphabetically as scrolls, and thirdly, just by using a word or two in future submissions.

If nothing else, these words can be used to pleasantly pepper one’s writing!

Abortive Fine vellum made from the skin of a stillborn calf or lamb.

Adventurers-Upon-Return Those travellers who lent money before they went abroad, upon condition of receiving more on their return from a hazardous journey. This was their proper title.

Alytarch He who seeth that good rule be kept at common games, contests, and exercises. (See Ssao E’hzeir, Alytarch of Yyiszo)

Argyle a secret picture-language of thieves, street people, and beggars. To the uninitiated this appears as childrens graffiti—doodles, gibberish and stick figures on walls around the city, but it is in fact intricate and conveys complicated messages.

Babies-In-The-Eyes The miniature reflection of himself which a person sees in the pupil of another’s eye on looking closely into it.

Biblioklept A book thief; one who purloins or steals books.

Carpet-knight A denomination given to men of peacable professions, who are raised to the dignity of knighthood. They take the appellation ‘carpet’ because they usually receive their honours from the King’s hands in the court, kneeling on a carpet.

Culliage An ancient custom which gave a lord the liberty of lying the first night with his vassal’s new wife.

Eagle-Stone A variety of iron ore, so called from the belief that it was found in the nests of eagles, where it was supposed to prevent eggs from becoming rotten.

Gaberlunzie A mendicant; a poor guest who cannot pay for his entertainment. (see Gaberlunz)

Geloscopy Divination by means of laughter. (See Elziphar of Saliadonia)

Hippospadians Monstrous persons that abuse themselves with a horse.

Idle-Worms revolting, maggot-like, tiny worms, bred in the fingers of lazy girls. (see Solace Worms)

Jemmie Duffs Weepers, who follow funerals in mourning with great passion. (see The Chalice Bearers and Mourners of the Quiet Guild)

Midnight Friend An accoustic apparatus consisting of a…tube extending from the doctor’s street door to his bed, by which a message can be transmitted to the awakened practitioner, instead of merely the sound of his bell. Hence, it has been fancifully termed the "medical man’s midnight friend".

Mountain of Pity A stock of money raised by charity of good people who, observing the poor ruined by usury…voluntarily contributed good store of treasure to be preserved and lent to them, wherby they might have money at a low rate to relieve their wants.

Myomancer A kind of hedge-wizard whose powers stemmed from mice. (See Hamako the Black)

Oblat A soldier who, grown impotent or maimed in service, hath maintenance or the benefit of a monk’s place assigned him in an abbey. (see Saint Oblat the Maimed)

Palimpsest A manuscript page, scroll, or book that has been written on, scraped off, and used again. (See The Vocran Palimpsest)

Poosk To search for vermin on the person. (see St. Girm’s Pooskers)

Primovant In ancient astronomy, that sphere which was supposed to carry the fixed stars in their daily motions, to which all the other orbs were attached.

Queer Plungers Cheats who throw themselves into the water, in order that they may be taken up by their accomplices, who carry them to one of the Houses appointed by the Humane Society for the recovery of drowned persons, where they are rewared by the society with a guinea each; and the supposed drowned person, pretending that he was driven to that extremity by great necessity, is also frequently sent away with a contribution in his pocket.

Quockerwodger A wooden, clock-work, toy figure which, when pulled by a string, jerks its limbs. Also used as a term to signify a pseudo-politician, one whose strings are pulled by somebody else. (I’m writing a piece on this one)

Rostral-Crown The Naval crown(medal) anciently awarded to the individual who first boarded an enemy’s ship. A great honor among warriors. (see The Rostral Guild)

Screever A man who draws with coloured chalks on the pavement huge, grandiose figures of storms, ships on fire, great beasts, and scenes of legend, and is paid a pittance by admirers and passers-by. Some of the career screevers are true masters of their art, but disrespected by all other artists. (see Stolvi the Screever and Shevourus the Mad)

Shivelavat’s Hen A hen which has ceased to lay; figuratively, a woman past child-bearing.

Smoking Match Smoking matches were usually made for tobacco-boxes or some other trifling prizes, and were performed two ways. The first was a trial among the candidates who shall smoke a pipe full of tobacco in the shortest time; the second was precisely the reverse. These were infamous contests among the poor, generating great excitement and much wagering on the outcomes.

Spidireen The name of an imaginary ship, sometimes mentioned by sailors. If a sailor be asked what ship he belongs to, and does not wish to tell, he will most probably reply, "The Spidireen Frigate, with nine decks and ne’er a bottom!"

Stelliscript That which is written in the stars. He who desires to learn what good they prefigure must read them from west to east; but if he be forewarned of evil, he must read from north to south.

Suthcundman The oldest inhabitant; the one who knows what happened a long time since. The chief man in a small town or village.

Taghairm A mode of divination formerly used. A person was wrapped up in the skin of a newly slain bullock, and deposited beside a water-fall, or at the bottom of a precipice, or in some other wild and unusual situation where the scenery around him suggested little but objects and visions of horror. In this condition, he revolved in his mind the question proposed, and whatever was impressed upon him by his exalted imagination passed for the inspiration of the disembodied spirits who haunted their desolate recesses.(see The Taghairm Skin)

Thieves Vinegar A kind of vinegar made by digesting rosemary tops, sage-leaves, and some other less wholesome ingredients, anciently believed to be an antidote agianst the plague. It derived its name and popularity from the story that four thieves who plundered the bodies of the dead during palgue, ascribed their impunity to this preperation.

Vorago A gulf, a whirlpool, a quagmire, or marvellous deep place that sucks or swallows up even rivers, and whereout nothing can come.

Water-Wolf In drinking out of a wild, natural stream, a man is said to swallow a water-wolf which, it is also said, grows in his stomach.

Whores-Hunting When a wife left her husband to live with another man, the villagers would assemble outside the guilty couple’s house with a horse’s head stuck on a pole, and would pull the jaw by means of a string tied through the animal’s lower lip. (See Goodman Slatterbite)

Yird-Swine a mysterious dreaded sort of animal, called the yird-swine was believed to live in graveyards, burrowing among the dead bodies and devouring them. (see Yird-Swine)

and perhaps my favorite, because its so peculiar and morbid…and because i dont quite "get it"
Zoldering An opprobrious epithet reserved for very wrathful occasions, but without more meaning than the force of the sound conveys. (see Ye Zoldering Grimoire)



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Suggested Submissions
Elziphar of Saliadonia By: valadaar
NPCs » Mythic/ Historical » Mystical

They had thought him a crank, an eccentric, not practicing a real form of magic. How wrong they were.

Gaberlunz By: Scrasamax
Locations » Area » Plains

Most cities have long and storied histories, tales of nobles and intrigue, places in cultural, social, or military history. Gaberlunz in one of those places that by various circumstances has avoided any pretense of greatness.

Goodman Slatterbite By: Wulfhere
NPCs » Scenario Based » Religious

Driven by a lifetime of anger, Modest Slatterbite and his “Staff of Truth” have come to condemn the “wicked”.

Hamako the Black By: Ria Hawk
NPCs » Minor » Mystical

"You would be wise not to cross me.  I have powers that you cannot even begin to comprehend.  Do not anger me, lest I turn you into a goose, fat and ugly.  Then if you are lucky and I am in a forgiving mood, I won’t eat you for supper."
Based on Muro’s Archaic Words Challenge, the word myomancer.

Mourners of the Quiet Guild By: MoonHunter
Society/ Organizations » Combative » World Wide

From the outlook of my new and inexpensive flat, I could see her. She was kneeling in the graveyard across the cobblestoned way in front of a fresh grave.  She was in dark mourning gear, complete with those large black hats that were the fashion. A lost lamb I supposed, recently wed, recently widowed, crying for the loss of a loved one. She had been there two days that I noticed, as well as their nights. She never seemed to move, so locked she was in her grief. As I drank a lonely nightcap, I caught the glimpse that changed me.  In the pale moon light, I saw the grave buckle. In a foul corruption of Athenean birth, some spawn sprang forth.  Not taking my eyes off the horrid scene, I reached over to the weapon I had been cleaning. Before I could grasp it fully, the petite young widow of my imagination cleared a saber concealed under her over cape and removed its loathsome head.  After checking her kill, she looked up at me; backlit I assumed by the lamp in the room. She was not just a simple widow, she was Mourner.  I held up my glass in a true salute from one professional to another. At that point I knew two new things: That the Unnatural truly had become more active as I had been hearing in the back alleys and I needed to move far from that graveyard.

Pooskers By: Murometz
Society/ Organizations » Knowledge/Lore » World Wide

A peculiar guild of specialists. "Flick your ticks, slice your lice, squeeze your fleas."

Saint Oblat the Maimed By: Scrasamax
NPCs » Mythic/ Historical » Religious

Ye Olde English
Oblat - A soldier who, grown impotent or maimed in service, hath maintenance or the benefit of a monk’s place assigned him in an abbey

Shevourus the Mad By: valadaar
NPCs » Minor » Mystical

"Yeeah!" the old man shouted as he made a dramatic flurry with his chalk - the mounted knight now bearing a stylized lance as it bore down on the many-headed dragon before it.

Solace Worms By: Ria Hawk
Lifeforms » Constructed » Any

"I do so wish that my work didn’t make such a wretched mess.  At least the worms clean it up."

Ssao E'hzeir, Alytarch of Yyiszo By: CaptainPenguin
NPCs » Minor » Domestic/ Craft

Ssao E’hzeir, once a soldier, then a mandarin-magistrate, and then a clan-father, was rewarded for years of faithful service with the post of alytarch.

Stolvi the Screever By: Wulfhere
NPCs » Minor » Artistic/Performance

Inspired by a secret muse, a humble man sketches heroes and battles for the folk of the Market Quarter.

Tagliabue's Tete-a-tete By: Scrasamax
Items » Home/ Personal » Magical

Tete-a-tete, adjective:

1. Private; confidential; familiar.
2. A private conversation between two people.
3. A short sopha intended to accommodate two persons.

The Chalice Bearers By: Scrasamax
Society/ Organizations » Religious » Area

In the great city of Ozea, the funeral processions of the dead are followed by the Chalice Bearers, mourners who gather their tears to annoint the deceased.

The Rostral Guild By: manfred
Society/ Organizations » Travelers » Country/ State

Masters of the sea, men of courage and honor, these you will find here and none other.

The Taghairm Skin By: Wulfhere
Items » Other » Magical

The ancient sages knew: To see beyond the veils of Death, you must become as one dead.

The Vocran Palimpsest By: Scrasamax
Items » Books and Scrolls » Non-Magical

A palimpsest is a manuscript, usually of papyrus or parchment, on which more than one text has been written with the earlier writing incompletely erased and still visible.

Ye Zoldering Grimoire By: Wulfhere
Items » Books and Scrolls » Cursed

This ancient text is the legacy of one of the greatest mages of all time, but using it can be quite a challenge!

Yird-Swine By: Murometz
Lifeforms » Unique » City/ Ruin

Et deprecabantur eum spiritus dicentes mitte nos in porcos ut in eos introeamus (Mark 5:12)

Comments ( 29 )
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Extra bonuses go to those that spend all votes in between refreshes.

Ria Hawk
2006-08-23 10:35 PM
0xp
Nifty. I WILL do a peice for this one. I claim myomancer, and hopefully it won't be long in coming.
Murometz
2006-08-23 10:43 PM
0xp
The comment section is actually a good place to lay claim to a word or two. First come first serve.
Voted Ria Hawk
2006-08-24 12:13 AM
0xp
I find this a cool concept, just for the wierd inspiration. Still... how does one abuse one's self with a horse? Wouldn't the obvious be abusing the horse instead?
Murometz
2006-08-24 12:17 AM
0xp
well, think about it...how does one abuse oneself with a horse..mmm? :D

I could explain but will spare you the gruesome detail.

Think of Catherine the Great
CaptainPenguin
2006-08-24 01:53 AM
0xp
Actually, Catherine the Great never had sex with a horse, that was made up by her enemies in the court who didn't approve of having a woman ruler, nor did they approve of women who were as independent as Catherine.
Murometz
2006-08-24 08:53 AM
0xp
True, true, but it was the only pseudo-hippospadian example I could think of, off the top of my head :D
CaptainPenguin
2006-08-24 01:55 AM
0xp
I call "alytarch"
Voted MoonHunter
2006-08-24 08:58 AM
0xp
Biblioklept is mine please. It is just fascinating that it is a word.
Murometz
2006-08-24 03:00 PM
0xp
Calling Dean Corso and Boris Balkan!
Dozus
2006-08-24 09:46 AM
0xp
Scratch that, I'm gonna do the screevers.
manfred
2006-08-24 11:16 AM
0xp
Neat and makes me want to submit my own... a dangerous list you have here. :)
Voted valadaar
2006-08-25 06:58 AM
0xp
What a wonderful little ..jerk.. this one is :). Evil without being psycopathic.
Murometz
2006-08-26 11:37 AM
0xp
Evil Jerk? :D I hope you're refering to the piece, not the author. :D
valadaar
2006-10-24 03:01 PM
0xp
You know, I read this now and have No Clue as to what I meant before :)
Ah well, I did vote 4.5/5
:)
valadaar
2006-10-25 01:28 PM
0xp
Ah - I was commenting on Hamako the Black and commented in the wrong window.
nitouken
2006-09-14 10:45 AM
0xp
Oooh, oooh, I want the water-wolf!
Voted Strolen
2006-09-23 07:43 PM
0xp
Queer Plungers!?

Egads, what a great idea this is!!!
Pariah
2006-09-24 08:57 PM
0xp
Stupid Codex problems... 4/5
Voted Wulfhere
2006-09-29 05:57 PM
0xp
This could probably use a sequel, after we have mined a few more words from this one. I didn't think that I was too impressed at first, but I find myself coming back to it repeatedly, and it has inspired some really good subs in response.
valadaar
2006-10-25 01:08 PM
0xp
Has Geloscopy been taken yet? I've some ideas for this one....
Wulfhere
2007-01-27 04:51 PM
0xp
There are a few more words, lonely and forlorn, waiting for someone to think of them...
Murometz
2007-01-27 09:18 PM
0xp
well, val promised a Geloscopist, Moon a Biblioklept, Psalm and I have Biblioklept In Works, Nitouken a water-wolf, and manfred (Gasp!) a sub featuring the Rostral Crown. :)
Wulfhere
2007-01-27 09:25 PM
0xp
Hey! I wanna do a Biblioklept too! (Starts to hold breath.)
valadaar
2007-01-28 02:34 PM
0xp
K, wasn't sure it was mine - I'll start on the Geloscopy :)
valadaar
2007-06-27 11:04 AM
0xp
So Geloscopy added. Appears that Myomancer was done by Ria before and so needs updated as well!
Voted Michael Jotne Slayer
2007-12-06 01:17 AM
0xp
Ok, great idea, will do one, soon. Cheers!
Voted Moonlake
2009-03-17 09:41 PM
0xp
Quirky idea but I like it. Wanted to claim Babies-In-The-Eyes but don't know whether I have time to do it so don't anyone hold your breath for it.

Also want to report that Scras wrote a piece utilising the word Adventurers-upon-Return titled The Emblem of Novercalis. I remember I interpreted the term as adventurers who recently returned from an adventure (ignorant me *shakes head*). Might want to link it here.
Voted manfred
2009-03-20 02:41 PM
0xp
Look at the sheer number of submissions this one has inspired - not to mention their quality. One of the best codices in their odd source of inspiration, and hard to asses in its impact... long live archaic words!
Lockheed
2009-11-07 08:38 PM
0xp
Ooh! Fun. I'm glad I decided to visit this. I claim Carpet-Knight.

Join Now!!

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