Seeking a proper synonym

[Introversion]

Leave it. Put down that polishing rag. It's good as is.

 

[lizmonster]

Leave it. Put down that polishing rag. It's good as is.

You're only saying that because you're sick of me moaning about my revisions.

 

[Set2Stun]

Okay - here's the passage, hopefully short enough (since this isn't SYW). But you can see what I'm going for. (Currently, btw, I'm planning to leave "dumb luck," unless I come up with something better.)

When I read your first post in this thread, I immediately thought of the word, "fortuitous." Can fit that in anywhere. Then later, I saw that you clarified that this was from a piece of dialogue.

Characters can say whatever the heck they want to say, as long as it fits them. If they're good-hearted, but naïve, unaware of "wokeness," sure, they can say that, and hopefully without adverse consequences. If they're ignorant, foul, offensive, they can use the term in that context as well. It also depends on the universe of the work, as you know.

If it's only coming down to how an extremely sensitive reader might interpret it in any context, well. I have met many characters that I do not approve of, but still enjoy reading, and the majority of rational-minded persons are on board with this as well.

 

[CMBright]

You're only saying that because you're sick of me moaning about my revisions.

For what it is worth, I don't see any word substitution that has the same connotations as dumb luck in the sentences you shared. I agree with Introversion. Stick a fork in it, it's done.

 

[Silenia]

Ridiculous luck/being ridiculously lucky might work for the same connotations (near-unbelievable, largely-undeserved luck), though it's not quite as snappy and pithy--though since you said your character is quite swear-happy, adding a swear or two might help capture that feel too.

 

[frimble3]

How about "We got lucky" or "We lucked out"? Not sure if the second is a Canadianism or not.
Or, 'beginner's luck'? After all, how many times have we evacuated a planet before, let alone survivors?

 

[T.D.H.]

Fluke

 

[CMBright]

How about "We got lucky" or "We lucked out"? Not sure if the second is a Canadianism or not.
Or, 'beginner's luck'? After all, how many times have we evacuated a planet before, let alone survivors?

I've heard both in the states.

 

[cmhbob]

Okay - here's the passage, hopefully short enough (since this isn't SYW). But you can see what I'm going for. (Currently, btw, I'm planning to leave "dumb luck," unless I come up with something better.)

Read the thread, and there's lots of good suggestions. But in this context, I think it works. I'd leave it in. Yes, it could be seen as ableist; I get that point. But you have to be true to your characters. If they'd say something like this, don't sanitize their language. Let them be who they are.

 

[Woollybear]

Given that my character is very sweary, I could make it even more interesting.

Well there you go. Skip the word 'luck' altogether, use a synonym for 'chance,' and toss in a swear for good measure.

... "But as far as I know, we survived the way we always do."

"How is that?"

"We rolled the fucking dice."
"We rolled the fucking dice and got (snake eyes)."
"It was a crisis. So, we rolled the fucking dice."
etc

She made a sound, and I had to listen for a second before I realized she was laughing.

 

[PPeterson]

What about "blind luck"?

 

[Woollybear]

I suspect blind would have the same problems as mute (dumb). It's ableist language, as I understand things.

 

[llyralen]

Okay - here's the passage, hopefully short enough (since this isn't SYW). But you can see what I'm going for. (Currently, btw, I'm planning to leave "dumb luck," unless I come up with something better.)

I like your clip here a lot, by the way. I am a sucker for the topic of the future of the human race.

The day after my last post I couldn’t remember if “Stupid luck”had ever been put forward even though it’s so simple.

I like “Dumb luck” just fine though.

 

[Oscar1]

See, and in context - dumb luck is just absolutely perfect. It reads like a punch line and I even chuckled. Do not change it! It is great as it is.

 

[Unimportant]

Trying to waffle the equivalent of 'serendipitous cascade of events' is always going to detract more than it adds due to the artificial terminology.

I agree with dumb. Stick a fork in it. It's done. BC dumb in this scenario isn't like blind, as a sensory disability. It's stupid clueless random chance. Not offensive or disrespectful or failing to read the room -- at least from my admittedly clueless privileged and currently abled perspective.

 

[Snitchcat]

Why not "sheer bloody-mindedness"? Or just leave it as "dumb luck" (I like this one)?

 

[RGS-Author]

Blind fortune?

 

[CandyFloss]

Not sure if you're still working on this but I like the 2 x monosyllabic word structure of "dumb luck".

You said your character swears, so how about "Fuck knows".