Made-up slang and swearwords

efreysson · Feb 7, 2007

I'm in the process of writing a fantasy series, and I'm wondering how to handle profanity and slang in the world I've created.
Since there are no religions in the traditional sense I can't use "Christ!" or "Hell" or any of those, and I'm a bit hesitant to go into the explicit sexual profanities. Also, I think creating a few slang words would bring a bit of authenticity to this fictional setting . . . as long as none of it comes off as silly.
I think a thread where people can get opinions on fictional words they've made up, or given a new purpose, would be a good idea.
Here's what I've got so far. Please let me know what you think.

"Floppy" - as in "You floppy!". Refers to male impotence.

"Toss" - as in "Oh, toss it . . ." Used similar to "damn", in expressing dislike, frustration, or dismay.

"Creaker" - Noun. Used about old people.

"Gangly" - Plurar "ganglies". A noun used by street children to refer to adults.

"Scraper" - Used about miners.

"Gutter-clog" - A generic insult, applicable to anyone.

"Scrab" - A somewhat unfriendly noun, generally used for strangers. "What do you want, scrab?"

"Pissbucket" - An insult. Gee, really?

"Wheeler" - Used about caravan drivers, due to the wagon wheels.

eaglelady11 · Feb 7, 2007

is it possible to put a glossary somewhere in your manuscript? are cuss words the only language the reader might have difficulty understanding, so that a glossary might be helpful?

otherwise, just use the words frequently so that the reader would get a grasp as to its meaning.

just a suggestion...

jdparadise · Feb 7, 2007

For a well-done example, you might want to take a look at the YA trilogy Uglies, Pretties, and Specials by . . . crud, I can't remember his name. Good books, though, and the characters there, being hip teens+, have lots of constructed slang.

Remember who your characters are, though. Who'll use a particular phrase, and who'll feel aversion to it, and why?

Cuss words in English are usually short and brutish, as befits both their nature and their linguistic origin.

Most cusswords reflect cultural taboos and values; if your culture embraces ::difference X:: then most people will not use ::epithet X[SUB]1[/SUB]::.

Slang in general develops along specialized lines - a particular in-group will develop language to establish/maintain in-groupness. This may leak out into the mainstream (in the modern day, see rap slang, the proliferation of sports references ("That meeting today, I really hit that one out of the park") and, to a lesser extent, military terminology) depending on the exposure of the larger culture to the in-gropu, and the status of the in-group.

So, in order to establish a believable slang, you might want to put thought into things like:

What are the taboos in the larger culture? What are the heresies?
What smaller cultures exist in/near the larger culture? How are those cultures regarded? Where would the linguistic leaks be?
What in-groups have a need for specialized terms (secrecy, obtuseness, just plain fun, self-identification, etc.), and what exposure does the larger culture have to these in-groups?
What's the language of the earliest cultures like, and how long has it been hanging around and mutating? What holdover words are there?
What languages have come and gone in the area, and what taboos, in-groupings, and sub-cultures existed in them that formed their slang, that may have remained even after the "visiting" culture left? What linguistic commonalities do the "visiting" culture have with the "home" culture? (Things that sound too foreign will never enter usage)

The biggest bang for the buck would seem to be in mining in-groups and taboos, but any way you look at it it's not quite as easy as throwing a few words on the page, if you want to be believable. (Though for a short story the throwing method can work just fine to imply a larger culture. )

allmostcomatose · Feb 7, 2007

I like stuff, like uh, like:

"Son of a Batchin' basket eater."
"Gravey sucking pig."

Phases that sound really bad but aren't.

FergieC · Feb 7, 2007

Check out A Clockwork Orange. That had a whole language between the gang, which the author managed to make clear enough that by the end of the book you were speaking it yourself at work! Ah, he's a horrorshow chelloveck, so he is.

jdparadise · Feb 7, 2007

Along with my guidelines, I thought posting the ideas that efraysson's invented slang brought to mind might be helpful:

efreysson said:
"Floppy" - as in "You floppy!". Refers to male impotence.

This seems to imply a society where male sexual performance is paramount and openly discussed/boasted of, and lack of performance approaches sinhood. This would seem to be a male-dominated society.

efreysson said:
"Toss" - as in "Oh, toss it . . ." Used similar to "damn", in expressing dislike, frustration, or dismay.

Implied question: toss it . . . where?

efreysson said:
"Creaker" - Noun. Used about old people.

Likely not used -by- old people, except the hip/ironic ones. Common usage implies a youth culture--opportunities for youth to assemble and talk.

efreysson said:
"Gangly" - Plurar "ganglies". A noun used by street children to refer to adults.

This is a particularly good one, to me.

efreysson said:
"Scraper" - Used about miners.

Another good one. Implies significant mining operations in proximity to the language use. Also implies that miners have low social status.

efreysson said:
"Gutter-clog" - A generic insult, applicable to anyone.

This implies a culture where waste is left in running gutters/sewers.

efreysson said:
"Scrab" - A somewhat unfriendly noun, generally used for strangers. "What do you want, scrab?"

This one, since it isn't derived from a common English word, implies the presence of a foreign language influence. Because it's a short, brutal word, it implies an early influence from this language. I'd expect to find other similarly short words. It really should have a clear definition so its usage can be mutated; just knowing how it's used isn't enough.

efreysson said:
"Pissbucket" - An insult. Gee, really?

Implies no toilets or outhouses.

efreysson said:
"Wheeler" - Used about caravan drivers, due to the wagon wheels.

Implies a significant portion of the population that does not have access to wagons and/or is bound to a particular place; the outgroup is the caravan drivers, which implies an ingroup that does not include them.

Hope these help in seeing what an outside reader thinks imply about your world's culture.

jodiodi · Feb 7, 2007

I admire your dedication and work to create slang and swearing for a culture. I'm not that motivated (or talented). I figure since I'm writing in English, my characters, who don't speak English, will have their curses translated by me when I transcribe them. For example, Golric is The Big Bad Satan of the world my characters dwell in, and they'll say things like, "Golric's balls!" or such. There is a race which was born from, and is reborn from, flowers, so when something's good they'll say things like, "Sweet roses!"

Like the others have said, make sure you're consistent with your characters and what they would find useful.

Good luck.

C.bronco · Feb 7, 2007

Try the Urban Dictionary, it's an online wikipedia-esque resource.

jdparadise · Feb 7, 2007

jodiodi said:
I figure since I'm writing in English, my characters, who don't speak English, will have their curses translated by me when I transcribe them.

That can work just fine, and has for many a writer far more published than I. It does, however, risk coming off as amateurish for the same reason that calling a rabbit a smeerp (http://www.sfwa.org/writing/turkeycity.html) can come off as amateurish. (No offense implied; I've never read jodiodi's work and am making no judgments toward his/her abilities)

On the other hand, Firefly use of Chinese curses implied that Chinese had become a baseline language some time in the future. Fantastic worldbuilding; a whole economic and social conquest described without a single line of narrative!

tela · Feb 7, 2007

The words are simple, easy to pronounce and understand. The important thing is will they stop the reader? I don’t think they will.

Gutter clog- I like that one!

Vomaxx · Feb 7, 2007

I face this problem in my WIP. A few of our oaths can be used, such as "damn" and "bastard", and also the f-word (which I use about once per volume so it actually has some effect). I invented several oaths: "Dragonsteeth!", "By the sun!" "By Jakar and Joris!" and "Gosar's blood!". However, it was then necessary to establish the level of profanity for each of these, and to communicate that to the reader without a too-obvious info-dump. (The first two are mild and can be used by refined people; the third is harsher, but might be uttered even by the well-bred in moments of stress; the last would never pass the lips of anyone who is not either a vulgarian or profoundly upset.) This was done by having them explained to a foreigner who speaks a different language, and who, thinking it a mild oath,says "Gosar's blood", shocking those who hear him. I also had to decide if readers would ever be told who "Jakar and Joris" and "Gosar" are; I decided it would be more authentic if they were not told. (Besides which, it saves me the trouble of finding out myself. I really have no idea.

)

johnzakour · Feb 7, 2007

In my sf pulp books I use:

DOS = general swear term

GATES = to replace God

HOOVER = for sucks

IRSED = screwed

LINUX also sneaks in now and again for another general swear term

Hillgate · Feb 7, 2007

efreysson said:
"Toss" - as in "Oh, toss it . . ." Used similar to "damn", in expressing dislike, frustration, or dismay.

'Tosser''s a good word we use in Blighty

"Creaker" - Noun. Used about old people.

"Gangly" - Plurar "ganglies". A noun used by street children to refer to adults.

Sounds too much like ganglion.

"Scraper" - Used about miners.

Proctology?

"Gutter-clog" - A generic insult, applicable to anyone.

A bad plumber?

"Scrab" - A somewhat unfriendly noun, generally used for strangers. "What do you want, scrab?"

Fancy a game of Scrab(ble)?

"Pissbucket" - An insult. Gee, really?

A chamber pot.

"Wheeler" - Used about caravan drivers, due to the wagon wheels.

A dealer (wheeler-dealer).

peevy · Feb 7, 2007

Slang can be hard to make up, but I think the words you have sound good--not too cheesy.

I tried doing research on slang to make it easier to invent my own for a ms, but didn't find much. I've already looked at what everyone here has already posted about (Urban Dictionary, Scott Westerfield, Clockwork Orange) plus M. T. Andersen's Feed.

Any other places people can suggest to research the evolution of slang?

IrishScribbler · Feb 7, 2007

I like the slang used in the short-lived series Firefly. So much so I found myself using it occasionally.

In that series (as was suggested by eaglelady), the words were used often enough that I "got it."

LisaHy · Feb 7, 2007

jdparadise said:
For a well-done example, you might want to take a look at the YA trilogy Uglies, Pretties, and Specials by . . . crud, I can't remember his name. Good books, though, and the characters there, being hip teens+, have lots of constructed slang.

Scott Westerfield. Very funny man.

Second the appreciation for 'gutter clog'. So wishing I'd thought of it first. Just remember that your world needs to have a sewerage system in order to have gutters.

'Floppy' however, sounds too modern for me. A lot of novels I've read refer to the male reproductive organ as a candle, or wick, with variations on those things to describe the states of male arousal. (Did I get through that without alerting the smut-o-meter?) I don't think having slang for this indicates a male-dominated society. I doubt that there is any society in this world that doesn't have a slang for this. Women talk, guys, and sometimes, we talk about these things. Of course, the natural assumption about any society is that it is male-orientated, regardless of slang.

I'm all for creating a world specific system of swearing or slang. I only ask that you make it sound decent. Recently read a fantasy based on an ancient Rome-esk world, where the people went to their version of hell thrugh a vortex, hence the swear word 'vortexdamn'. Just sounds clunky to me.

Cheers and good luck!
Lisa.

Hillgate · Feb 7, 2007

peevy said:
Slang can be hard to make up, but I think the words you have sound good--not too cheesy.

I tried doing research on slang to make it easier to invent my own for a ms, but didn't find much. I've already looked at what everyone here has already posted about (Urban Dictionary, Scott Westerfield, Clockwork Orange) plus M. T. Andersen's Feed.

Any other places people can suggest to research the evolution of slang?

Maybe have a look at Cockney rhyming slang from London (an interesting patois supposedly (!) natural to anyone born within the sound of Bow Bells).

Akuma · Feb 7, 2007

Read: Tad Williams, The Otherland series.

greglondon · Feb 7, 2007

I've heard editors and published authors say its best to avoid made up swear words. If you're really trying to swear, swear.

If these words are just synonyms for "gosh" and "darn" and other similar stuff, go for it. That is about the limit of how intense a made up curse like "scrab" will land on a reader.

If you've got a character who is saying the equivalent of F**K!, then only F**K will hit the reader with that level of anger, emotion, and strength. Any made up word will come across with a lot less power and emotion that the actual word "F**K".

jodiodi · Feb 7, 2007

That's how I write. I only change the references according to who they're refering to. My people wouldn't say, "St. Peter's Balls!" Hence, "Golric's Balls!" I don't make up words for curses. I'm far too lazy. Then again, I'm not a very good writer so don't emulate me.

laroche · Feb 7, 2007

This thread is so interesting, it'd pull the arms off a Gundar!

Really, after Star Wars, is there ever a standard of made-up swearing?

Conversely, did you see "Brick"? The movie (very literary, in my opinion), is filled with made up slang -so much that I had to watch it with captions (and even then I didn't understand the meanings).

I think you have lots of options and could have lots of fun of it -IF that's the purpose of your story. Otherwise, don't let it bog you down, you can always just fill in the "womprats!" and "tabernachs!" later on.

Judg · Feb 7, 2007

laroche said:
I think you have lots of options and could have lots of fun of it -IF that's the purpose of your story. Otherwise, don't let it bog you down, you can always just fill in the "womprats!" and "tabernachs!" later on.

Between your username and that last little swear word, I think I have nailed where you are from.

eskkar · Feb 7, 2007

Farscape

Check out the FARSCAPE TV sci-fi series. They had a whole language of cuss words. I'm still using some of them myself.

eskkar

Sage · Feb 7, 2007

eskkar said:
Check out the FARSCAPE TV sci-fi series. They had a whole language of cuss words. I'm still using some of them myself.

eskkar

What the frell are you talking about?

jdparadise · Feb 7, 2007

LisaHy said:
Scott Westerfield.

Thanks!

LisaHy said:
'Floppy' however, sounds too modern for me. ... I don't think having slang for this indicates a male-dominated society. I doubt that there is any society in this world that doesn't have a slang for this. Women talk, guys, and sometimes, we talk about these things. Of course, the natural assumption about any society is that it is male-orientated, regardless of slang.

My point exactly in making the observation. If female performance is the paramount objective--not male performance--you'd see the slang reflecting that. Interesting that, in our culture, the derogatory male-aimed slang is all about emasculating men (calling them a variant of gay, frex) while the derogatory female slang is aimed at women emasculating men either through lack of providing sex to them ("frigid" being the nicest of them) or providing it to everyone -but- the man in question ("slut"). Speaks to a very male-dominated society.

Be an interesting exercise to flip that--to put the woman in the dominant position (say because of a physiological difference where the woman can bear multiple kids, but the man forms some sort of emotional or physiological attachment to the woman and can't "spread his seed" the way he can in our physiology), and see what slang comes of it.

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