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This is a list of common slang terms used in Anaxas.

General Slang

gollies: Slang for "galdori". A single galdor can be called a "golly." A similar term, "gollymancer," refers to a student who has not yet picked a profession, but is instead focused on improving his status among the magical hierarchy. It is not a pejorative word; the galdori often refer to their own race as "gollies."

scorenight: A phrase used to describe two weeks' time or twenty days.

spokes: Nomadic wicks.

halfsies, imbali, scraps: Slang words for passive galdori. Halfsie is more common, and is considered only a mild racial slur, though humans rarely use it offensively. "Imbali" is a Mugrobi term meaning "unable." Scrap is considered the most offensive.

toffins: Distinguished gentlemen or ladies; members of high society.

civs/civvies: Refers to all humans, excluding members of the human resistance. Can also be used to refer to stationary wicks, or tsats.

plowfoot: A rude term for humans, generally only used by galdori. It refers to the typically larger feet of humans.

goney: A greenhorn or weakling.

guttered, sloshed, whacked, sunk: Drunk.

knackered, spun out: Tired.

plum, bang: Very. As in "plum knackered" or "bang moony."

moony: Crazy or silly; unbalanced. The moon is the aspect of Alioe and is thought to bring about religious fervor, distracting those sensitive to it.

rum, clean: Good. As in "Clean job you did there!"

"bottom of the spice pack": An expression meaning that someone is on the bottom rung of something. "Top of the spice pack" is used to mean someone is successful or important. This phrase stems from the Mugrobi spice trade, where traders keep their more expensive spices and herbs near the top of their pack so they do not become crushed by the other spices.

Brailhead : noun. An insult popular among galdori students. It's not a light insult, it's quite offensive for a galdor to be called a brailhead. Ascribes recklessness, idiocy and incompetence to the insulted person. One deserving of the backlash that'll result from brailing. Someone who'd therefore be unreliable in chorus spellcasting etc.

cracked the water barrel: someone/something has. Expression of Mugrobi origin, referencing the importance of water in the desert based culture, and also the God Hulali. Thus a cracked water vessel is irreverent, leading to waste. As such the expression has come to mean

• a regrettable accident at best
• wilful destruction at worst
• a right mess in any case

Deckhead n. - A slang term of Mugrobi origin, typically for those who drink too much and end up on the deck of the river-boats face down in their own vomit. Colloquially, a drunkard or, more specifically, a lecherous drunkard.

mites noun. Used by the upper form students at Brunnhold for the youngest students, the ten and eleven year olds. It's not derogatory, and may even if used with some affectionate overtones. Example : The mites look lost, let's see where they are supposed to be.

Hulali floats... and he drowns. Idiom. Used by Mugrobi traders, it’s akin to “the Lord gives and he takes away.” Usually, only the first part is used when something is going well, often expressed as an exclamation. “Hulali floats!” The whole phrase is often used when warning someone that thinks they are untouchable or infallible, such as a trader who thinks his supply will always fulfill the demand. It’s a cautionary phrase here. “My route is quite fortuitous!” “Hulali floats, and he drowns.”

Hulali's tits! - Mugrobi swear, similar to "goddammit!"

Clock Slang

Clock slang is very popular in Anaxas, and is used by all races equally. There is an element of religious sacrilege in it, as time is sacred. The following slang terms range in severity from mild (usable in polite company) to severe (impolite even in the rougest of settings).

clocking: A typical phrase to express exasperation. Examples: "Clocking hell!" "What the clock?" "Clock out!" Varies in strength depending on the tone and context.

stop-clocker: Essentially refers to someone who is so stupid or vile that clocks literally stop around him. Relatively harsh.

tocks: Similar to "oh, fiddlesticks!" Very mild swear.

ticks: Used in the expression "You scared the ticks out of me!" Slightly bawdy.

tick it: Similar to "screw it"; slightly more obscene.

"chimes!" (or "bells!" or "bells and chimes!"): A mild expression of surprise. Like "Chimes, look what time it is!"

"Good Lady!": Used to express surprise, disbelief or frustration. (Refers to Alioe.)

Underworld Slang

This slang is used by the criminal underground and the human resistance.

ace, pug, cadet: A member of the human resistance, a freedom fighter.

gunner, dragoon: A member of the human resistance; specifically someone trained in heavy warfare, not espionage.

plebe, freshie: A new recruit.

old-timer, oldster: A seasoned freedom fighter, generally high up and "in the know".

points: Knives, swords or claws - anything long and sharp.

poppy, pappa, stick, tar: Opium.

sap: Blood.

blackback: A chrove; also refers to riding chroven.

uncle, auntie: Male and female members of The Seventen, respectively. "Two uncles patrolling the South Side on blackback."

dobby: Likely to become an informant; untrustworthy. The word "dob" comes from Tek. An informant is called a "dobber."

nice guy: One who will heal the injuries of, or provide temporary asylum to, freedom fighters.

playtime: Time to make one's move; the moment when the job begins.

tallyboy: A criminal who will do cheap, quick jobs.

off the path: On the run from the law; gone missing.

well-lit: Legit, non-criminal.

mark, spot: Target of a crime.

flexing his neck, walking tall: Enjoying his freedom - implies that the person is a "dead man walking" and will soon come to a messy end, or that a person is pushing his luck, tempting fate or angering those in power.

hut, tent, second home: A hideout or secret headquarters.

easy lift: An easy target for robbery. Also refers to a prostitute in certain context.

in the pen, staying over, on holiday: In jail.

hard bite: A man you shouldn't mess with: "Silas Hawke's a hard bite."

jingle, squares: Money, specifically overworld money.

pennies, birds: Underworld money. This money is only good among criminals and affiliates of Silas Hawke. The coins are round, copper, and stamped with a hawk's head. (See Money.)

having a little chat: Fighting, or perhaps assassinating another.

scragged, racked: Murdered.

cold, all bent, bobbing: Dead.

sparklies, voo, parlor tricks, poetry, jibber: Words to describe magic.

betty: A lockpick.

Stacks special: A bottle of alcohol with a rag stuffed into the top, to be lit aflame and tossed. A cheap and effective weapon from the air.

Miscellaneous Curses and Exclamations

tow-head: A mildly rude term for a fair-haired person. It is used a little bit like "chowderhead." Blondes are uncommon among the Vitan people and are perceived as less intelligent.

begads!: "By the gods!" It is used like the archaic "Zounds!".

poxy: Diseased, filthy, or run-down.

erse: Slang for "ass," derogatory: "You're an erse."

close your head: "Shut up."

lugger: A stupid person; the term implies that the subject is a beast of burden.

sack it!: Synonymous to "screw it!"

vrunta!: A Tek curse.

havakda!: A Tek curse meaning "away with you!".

No shit, Balderick!: A phrase coined from the popular Balderick Tales, due to the unquestionable smarts of the character. Intended as a sarcastic stab at someone who says something that is blatantly obvious.