Lore:Profanity
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Profanity refers to a classification of words which are deemed uncouth and vulgar. They are traditionally deemed unfit for use in high society, even rising to the mantle of illegality when used excessively in some regions, such as High Isle.[1] Profane words are typically derogatory,[2] though they may conversely be used to emphasize familiarity among close friends, family, or respected peers, making a subject light-hearted or intimate.[3] In some cases, the direct translations of words are not particularly offensive; rather, it is the connotation which yields the scorn.[4][5]
Contents
General Profanity[edit]
Racial Slurs[edit]
- Cat, housecat
- Words used toward Khajiit derogatorily[8][9]
- Goblin-meat
- A term used toward Redguards derogatorily,[10] likely in reference to their history
- Gray-skin
- A term used toward Dunmer derogatorily[11][12]
- Knife-ear
- A term used toward Mer derogatorily[13]
- Lizard, scaleskin
- Words used toward Argonians derogatorily[8][14][15]
- Sea snake
- A term used toward Maormer derogatorily[16][17]
- Snowman
- A word used toward Nords derogatorily[18]
Profanity by Predominant Race[edit]
Altmer[edit]
Argonian[edit]
- Kaoc
- An exclamation of frustration[20]
- Limp-fin[21]
- Lukiul
- Assimilated Argonian[22][23]
- Mammal-licker[21]
- Thtachalxan
- Drykiller, when used toward a foreigner[24]
- Waxhutil, Waxhuthi
- Dammit[24]
- Xuth, Xhuth[25][26]
Breton[edit]
- Draigh
- Impolite curse originating from Druid language[2][27]
- Sandpiper
- Derogatory term for "a person from off the isles", used by the people of the Systres[2]
Daedra[edit]
- Zzavfa
- Unknown, used for cussing by Fargravians[28]
Dunmer[edit]
- Ashhole[29]
- Fetch/Fetcher/Fetching
- A word with multiple uses that can also be used for profanity[30]
- N'wah
- Foreigner, slave[31]
- Nchow[32]
- S'wit[33]
Khajiit[edit]
- Clawless, unclawed
- Non-Khajiit, or, when used on a Khajiit, a general insult[34]
- Jekosiit[35]
- Muskarse[36]
Nord[edit]
- Milk-drinker
- Coward[37]
Orc[edit]
- Tusk/Tusker/Tusking
- A word with multiple uses that can also be used for profanity. An example is "Tusk you!" "Who gives a tusk?"[38]
Reachmen[edit]
Redguard[edit]
- Tobr'a
- Useless[44]
Notes[edit]
- Several instances of real world profanity exist in The Elder Scrolls. These include shit,[45] bitch,[46] son-of-a-bitch,[47] retarded,[48] dammit,[49] arse,[29] ass,[50] asshole,[51] bastard,[52] whore,[53] and slut.[54] There is an allusion to the word fuck,[55] but the full word has never been used in the series. Instead, it is often substituted with setting-related profanity such as "fetch" (ie. "fetcher" or "fetching")[29] or "tusk" (ie. "tusker" or "tusking").[38][56]
References[edit]
- ^ Timeo Dubroc's dialogue in ESO: High Isle
- ^ a b c Loremaster's Archive - Bretons & High Isle — Lady Arabelle
- ^ Captain Llaari's dialogue in ESO
- ^ a b Craftreeve Midalmo's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Wisdom of the Flying Gods — Magnius Calussa
- ^ The 36 Lessons of Vivec — Vivec
- ^ Sergeant Berrek's dialogue in ESO
- ^ a b Stormcloack Guard dialogue in Skyrim
- ^ Mixed Unit Tactics — Codus Callonus
- ^ Generic Voiced Dialogue about Redguards in Morrowind
- ^ Rolff Stone-Fist's and Angrenor Once-Honored's dialogue in Skyrim
- ^ Rigurt the Brash's dialogue in ESO
- ^ The Saga of Captain Wereshark, Part 5
- ^ Vulwulf Snow-Shod's dialogue in Skyrim
- ^ Crafting Motif 11: Ancient Elf Style — Seif-ij Hidja
- ^ Kinlady Helenaere's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Khavid's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Generic Voiced Dialogue about Nords in Morrowind
- ^ Altmer Justice Dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Kloxu's dialogue in ESO: Murkmire
- ^ a b Meer-Ta's dialogue in ESO
- ^ The Sharper Tongue: A Jel Primer — Lights-the-Way, Mystic of the Mages Guild
- ^ Pujeerish's dialogue in ESO
- ^ a b The Infernal City — Greg Keyes
- ^ Noyei-Heem's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Talen-Jei's dialogue in Skyrim
- ^ Isobel Veloise's dialogue in ESO: High Isle
- ^ Nass, Luna Berie, Severius Rutilus, Skrix, and Verdam Sedri's dialogue in ESO: The Deadlands
- ^ a b c Mirri Elendis' dialogue in ESO: Blackwood
- ^ Gang Lieutenant's dialogue in Blades
- ^ Hassour Zainsubani's dialogue in Morrowind
- ^ Talym Rend's dialogue during Bthardamz Dungeon in Legends: Isle of Madness
- ^ Vals Veran's dialogue in Skyrim
- ^ Renaku's dialogue in ESO: Morrowind
- ^ Narazda's dialogue in ESO: Wolfhunter
- ^ Rideza's dialogue in ESO: Elsweyr
- ^ General Yeveth Noramil's dialogue in ESO
- ^ a b Orcs and Their Tusks — Folms Seleth
- ^ Malkor's dialogue in ESO: Markarth
- ^ Gwenyfe's dialogue in ESO: Markarth
- ^ Aeodfaern's dialogue in ESO: Markarth
- ^ Tayfaern's dialogue in ESO: Markarth
- ^ Reach Bedtime Stories — Isa Truiand, Teller of Tales
- ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: Hammerfell — Imperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
- ^ Feyfolken III — Waughin Jarth
- ^ Ulfric Stormcloak's dialogue in Skyrim
- ^ Raven Biter's gravestone in the New Sheoth Graveyard in Shivering Isles
- ^ Fools' Ebony — Frincheps
- ^ Glenroy's dialogue in Oblivion
- ^ Erasmo's dialogue in Redguard
- ^ Tobias' dialogue in Redguard
- ^ Ragjar's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Ilnori Faustus' dialogue in Morrowind: Tribunal
- ^ Erikur's dialogue in Skyrim
- ^ Gerrick and Orsone's dialogue in Redguard
- ^ Arushna's dialogue in ESO