and I still don't always know what a ranseur is.
Swiss militia made weapons out of their farm implements. They took their pitchforks and beat one of the times into a hook, to make a tripping weapon. Other pole-arms from that era were modified scythe blades and ploughshares, stuck on poles. There are a few of them in the PH.
Oh geez, someone resurrected this thread?But c'mon man, coming out with a line like that against the OP almost a year after the post is not that cool.
G'waan - it's a great old thread! And anti-intellectualism is a perennial problem.
I have deleted my post. Ok? And I still recommend Stephen Donaldson - that guy goes to extraordinary lengths to find archaisms. "Hey! 'Incarnadine'! Must put that one in somewhere!" (this by no means the most egregious)
|
and I still don't always know what a ranseur is.Swiss militia made weapons out of their farm implements. They took their pitchforks and beat one of the times into a hook, to make a tripping weapon. Other pole-arms from that era were modified scythe blades and ploughshares, stuck on poles. There are a few of them in the PH.
I made an ak-47 out of a slinky and a bar of soap when I was in the hoozegow. I don't do the top bunk.
|
|
Oh geez, someone resurrected this thread?But c'mon man, coming out with a line like that against the OP almost a year after the post is not that cool.
G'waan - it's a great old thread! And anti-intellectualism is a perennial problem.
I have deleted my post. Ok? And I still recommend Stephen Donaldson - that guy goes to extraordinary lengths to find archaisms. "Hey! 'Incarnadine'! Must put that one in somewhere!" (this by no means the most egregious)
Cool. I guess my point was that the guy copped a lot of ribbing when this was current a year ago, and he kind of came around in the end. Thanks for being considerate - and your recommendation of Donaldson.
Everybody knows that Marzipan is Homestar's girlfriend... duh!
Egad! The next I skip to the end of a thread to post my original, cutting-edge humor I'll look two posts up and see that mwbeeler beat me to it!
Umm... all your marzipan are belong to us.
But it's a classic thread (at least in my mind, so classic that I referred to it on discussion about Stained Peaks entry in RPG superstar...)
But it's a classic thread (at least in my mind, so classic that I referred to it on discussion about Stained Peaks entry in RPG superstar...)
Actually, I edited out most of the archaicisms and obscure phrases in Stained Peaks...
I did wonder about the "marzipan in a barnacle-claimed tureen" refernce, since I hadn't seen this thread.
Ah, this thread.
Wonderful memories.
I still think those words are pretty common...
Actually, while those words were quite common a year back, I'm part of a committee that has since struck them from the English language.
"Proboscis", for example, has been replaced with "nose-plus".
I find that doubleplusgood. ;-)
|
Well I'm just chiming in with the chorus here but honestly the language is an important element of the game. As a side note, it was funny when I was reading one of the Savage Tide adventures and in one of the author's bios he described learning various words like dire from the Isle of Dread as a kid. I thought hey that was me too at that age.
Also if you ever pick up a Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard and definitely Clark Ashton Smith (I still have to have a thesaurus handy for many of his stories) their language is integral to the effect the story has. Whether it be building atmosphere or simply the sound and variety of the descriptions I couldn't imagine such stories being composed in any other way that wouldn't drain their richness and vitality.
And I guess the other thing is why would you blanche at having to ask or look up the meaning of the word? The English language is a mess so sooner or later it's bound to happen even to the most loquacious. Anyways I'm heartened by paizo staff's response on the issue.
EDIT: Ah geez I just saw the date on the start of this thread and then all the groans at its ressurection. Well nevermind.
I'm 22 with no degrees and even I know those words...
EDIT: And, when in doubt, there's always this website.
This thread semi-annoys me, because the mentality is entirely wrong-headed. Unfamiliar words are a gift, not a nuisance. Every time an author expands your literacy, you’re receiving a gift, not a burden!
I love languages, but I figured a long time ago instead of learning every single one I could get my hands on, I would concentrate on learning all there was to know about my native language. It’s rare when I come across a word I don’t know or can’t muddle out, but every time it’s a treat.
As a side bonus, I can flame just about anyone into the dirt on a message board when the occasion calls for it.
Mutta on kohtalaisen rasittavaa jos kirjoittaja innostuu liiaksi snobbailemaan monipuolisella sanavarastollaan, itse olen sen verran tiukka modernisti että suosin selkeää kielenkäyttöä ja kirkasta ilmaisua.
How's that for signal-to-noise ratio...you can look up what was I saying above. Consider it a gift.
I'm struck mumchance by the promulgation of this thread, a most pleasant divergence from the study of monotreme which currently preoccupies me.
M'nar.
there will be no escape...
|
|
I'm struck mumchance by the promulgation of this thread, a most pleasant divergence from the study of monotreme which currently preoccupies me.
Translation A: “I’m struck silent that this thread has been made known, a nice change from studying egg-laying mammals which completely occupies me at the moment.”
Translation B: “Shut up! This is back? Hooray! No more duck-bills!”
|
Contributor
|
I'm struck mumchance by the promulgation of this thread, a most pleasant divergence from the study of monotreme which currently preoccupies me.
Translation A: “I’m struck silent that this thread has been made known, a nice change from studying egg-laying mammals which completely occupies me at the moment.”
Translation B: “Shut up! This is back? Hooray! No more duck-bills!”
Mothman gets a cookie.
Me am loving bring back to much life old word talkies! But me is having just one questions?
If thread is resurrected, was it surrected before? Surrected is what, is telling me!
|
|
Echidnas don't really have duck bills like the platypi do. Specist! :)
Translation B: “Shut up! This is back? Hooray! No more duck-bills!”
You don't know how much I struggled to come up with a "dumbed down" description of monotremes. I was going to go with "aussie hedgehogs" but that would have been speciest in favour of echidnas, and wouldn't have had quite the same verisimilitude within the phrase.
It was difficult to come up with anything that the little guys have in common, apart from them both being monotreme, and all that entails.
And out of interest, is Rich Pett really studying monotremes? And why?
It was difficult to come up with anything that the little guys have in common, apart from them both being monotreme, and all that entails.
What does that entail? You know, other than only having one, er, treme?
How's that for signal-to-noise ratio...you can look up what was I saying above. Consider it a gift.
Lord, your accent is horrible... Then again, I'm a Yooper, so it's probably my accent...
Echidnas don't really have duck bills like the platypi do. Specist! :)
Translation B: “Shut up! This is back? Hooray! No more duck-bills!”
You don't know how much I struggled to come up with a "dumbed down" description of monotremes. I was going to go with "aussie hedgehogs" but that would have been speciest in favour of echidnas, and wouldn't have had quite the same verisimilitude within the phrase.
It was difficult to come up with anything that the little guys have in common, apart from them both being monotreme, and all that entails.
And out of interest, is Rich Pett really studying monotremes? And why?
Might be.
Professor Pett, MGPDR, Senior Professor of Monotreme Study, University of Agerade
|
Do you figure they'll use super words in 4e?
Or will it be:
marzipan = icing (like on those cupcakes your mom sent for your classroom birthday party)
tureen = bowl (a big one, not like you use for cereal before you catch the bus to school)
proboscis = a long nose (like that kid Ernie in 5th period)
propensity = nah... they won't use this or any derivitive thereof.
|
My only beef is with some of the incorrect spelling. Armor? What's that? It's armour, dear boy. I could go on, but I won't. Honestly, these colonials......
Of course if you read Bill Brysons "Made in America" HERE you would understand that -or is closer to Latin (and Hadrians period of British rule) than it is to the French -our and the Norman conquest. As to which is correct? I suppose it depends if you prefer French or Roman.
If you like linguist oddities like thi, I recommend the book. It's actually quite funny despite being about linguistics. I dated and Yorkshire girl for a couple of years and we both enjoyed it. Things like the Courgettes vs Zucchini, Armor vs. Armour. In may ways, we colonials speak a version of english that is roughly equivalent to the english spoken at the time of formation. "Offical" british english was formed as response to colonial english sometime in the 1800s IIRC.
|
|
Here's a good recipe for marzipan; it is a popular dessert item in continental Europe, but I've never seen it here in the US. Which is a shame, 'cause it is DELICIOUS. Yum!
No marzipan in the US?
Whaaaat?!?!?!
|
|
Also if you ever pick up a Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard and definitely Clark Ashton Smith (I still have to have a thesaurus handy for many of his stories) their language is integral to the effect the story has. Whether it be building atmosphere or simply the sound and variety of the descriptions I couldn't imagine such stories being composed in any other way that wouldn't drain their richness and vitality.
QFT!
Check these out------>Clark Ashton Smith fiction
then hoist a libation to his memory!
Ah this post brings back memories:)
I'm gonna go to the fancy schmancy grocery store and score some marzipan. Just on a lark, and eat it with some iced tea and potato chips.
I actually had some for Christmas partly based on this thread. I have got to say that, IMO, it sounds a heck of a lot better (almond icing - Yumm - I like Almonds and I like Icing) then it actually tastes. Definitely a case of two great tastes that do not do great things for my taste buds.
I actually had some for Christmas partly based on this thread. I have got to say that, IMO, it sounds a heck of a lot better (almond icing - Yumm - I like Almonds and I like Icing) then it actually tastes. Definitely a case of two great tastes that do not do great things for my taste buds.
In defence of marzipan (a.k.a. marchpane), I must point out that there are wildly different qualities available. Some of the worst stuff is way too sweet, with far too much sugar.
Also, the term "almond icing" is somewhat misleading. It is an almond paste, which is often used for "icing". In Britain and other places it is applied as a thin layer on a Christmas cake (a heavy, dense, often alcohol-soaked, fruit cake) before the white/royal icing is applied. The last step is the decoration itself - either decorative icing shapes, or candied fruits and blanched almonds. The marzipan helps to seal in the cake's moisture (and alcohol), while acting as a smooth base for the actual icing.
I've often seen marzipan shaped into pig shapes for Christmas, plus many forms of Christmas sweets composed of marzipan and other stuff (chocolate, dates, etc.).
|
|
You know, the title of this thread always bothered me. I keep wanting to edit it to say, "You take the marzipan and put it in the tureen, add propensity."
But I suppose using the words incorrectly is more in line with the OP's point (which I couldn't disagree with more).
Like many posters before me, I too developed a larger-than-average vocabulary and a love for reading, which has enriched my life immeasurably, by perusing many a venerable tome (uh... I mean... reading lots of old D&D books).
And anyone who thinks they've got a pretty good vocabulary should check out this site, if they haven't already...
www.freerice.com/
I'd be interested to hear how the average gamer does.
<some stuff>
And anyone who thinks they've got a pretty good vocabulary should check out this site, if they haven't already...
www.freerice.com/
I'd be interested to hear how the average gamer does.
I love that site!
(And I usually can get up to level 47 or so without even trying hard.)
No apologies for the language in Dungeon. Part of the joy of this hobby is reading, and part of the joy of reading is learning new words.
A much longer version of this response comes in the form of the editorial for Dragon #346. I'd post it, but it's on a different computer. I humbly submit that it is worth a look.
--Erik Mona
Publisher
Kudos for this response.
I haven't read this entire thread. That would be ridiculous. But I love the sentiments posted by so many in the first page, defending the use of difficult or obscure words in the magazine. I also count myself among those who have been educated by Dungeons & Dragons. I started reading the various handbooks and material at a rather young age, and I'm certain that this not only gave me an increased vocabulary, simply through contextual reading; but also it stoked and fired my imagination in a catalyzing initiation into creativity and literacy that the rest of my peers in the suburbs did not undergo. Although this may have something to do with my alienation from the humdrum society of suburban youth culture at the time, I think ultimately it may have been worth it.
So yeah, never dumb down the vocab.
Wow, someone resurected this thread. As the OP it brings back memories for me, though some of the elitism is a little much.
While I love the work Paizo used to do with Dungeon, I sometimes felt that along with vocabulary, it just felt like the authors were trying to be TOO grand. Too often I would find a 2-3 paragraph history lesson with an otherwise GREAT adventure. How many of your adventures felt the need to explain the history from "hundreds of years ago" in a fake and generic setting?
I wonder, how much of the setting, history, vocabulary ect, that you print is said to the player anyways. Does the average player of this 5 star adventure (Prince of Redhand) hear the word "Marzipan"? I would bet your average DM skips that readout, and instead focuses on playing a great and unusual adventure that for once does not involve combat.
I modify my adventures a lot. I can add my own flavour to my campaign. What I find hard to do is make INTERESTING scenarios that involve alternative, original solutions. I also find it hard to make scenarios that are genuinely exciting, swinging off of chandeliers, not clearing dungeons. That is why I used to subscribe.
I find that reading through pages of history lessons and over descriptive text, crowd what I am really looking for, a core ideas that my players will have fun with.
And just to put the word out there for adventure writers (although I think I said this a year ago)...
I miss the old AEG adventure keep pamphlets, I own them all but I wish they would have kept going.
In 5-6 pages they would cram a full adventure with new ideas, maps, and always had something new and different (an item, monster, npc ect)
That is something I would subscribe to, something I could pick up an hour before my players get to my house. If I wanted an ecyclopedia I would be playing in Forgotten Realms
