Alien Adam's Apple

Orianna2000 · Nov 11, 2012

What do I call a man's Adam's apple when he's not from Earth and therefore has never heard of Adam or Eve?

Wikipedia calls it the "laryngeal prominence," but that's much too anatomical, especially for a scene that's meant to be romantic. His Adam's apple is bobbing with nervousness as he swallows, shortly after being reunited with the woman he loves.

Is there another term for it? Something non-scientific and non-Biblical in origin?

Drachen Jager · Nov 11, 2012

Can't you just say something else to show his nervousness? Quivering is romantic, or you could just say he swallows nervously. Perhaps he just has a nervous tic all his own? I just finished a short where the MC bobs his head like a duck when he's nervous. It's a good opportunity to build some character in, instead of falling back on a tired cliche.

blacbird · Nov 11, 2012

For heaven's sake, Orianna, you're writing speculative fiction. No reader is going to expect this level of detail, and it can't possibly matter for the story. He's an alien. When embarrassed or nervous, his vaxillary prominence flashes green.

caw

Cath · Nov 12, 2012

Yeah, this isn't really 'research'. If you need ideas for speculative terms, I suggest you chat to the folks in Science Fiction/Fantasy.

Alien Adam's Apple

Orianna2000

Freelance Writer

Drachen Jager

Professor of applied misanthropy

blacbird

Cath

The mean one