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Lore:Profanity

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Profanity refers to a classification of words which are deemed uncouth and vulgar. They are traditionally deemed unfit for use in high society, even rising to the mantle of illegality when used excessively in some regions, such as High Isle.[1] Profane words are typically derogatory,[2] though they may conversely be used to emphasize familiarity among close friends, family, or respected peers, making a subject light-hearted or intimate.[3] In some cases, the direct translations of words are not particularly offensive; rather, it is the connotation which yields the scorn.[4][5]

Profanity by Predominant RaceEdit

GeneralEdit

Cat, housecat
Words used toward Khajiit derogatorily[6]
Knife-ear
A word used toward Mer derogatorily[7]
Lizard, scaleskin
Words used toward Argonians derogatorily[8][9]

AltmerEdit

De'nt
Unknown; usage suggests some form of an insult[10]
Nebarra
Foreigner[4]

ArgonianEdit

Kaoc
An exclamation of frustration[11]
Lukiul
Assimilated Argonian[12]
Thtachalxan
Drykiller, when used toward a foreigner[13]
Waxhutil, Waxhuthi
Dammit[13]
Xuth, Xhuth[14][15]

BretonEdit

Draigh
Impolite curse originating from Druid language[2][16]
Sandpiper
Derogatory term for "a person from off the isles"[2]

DaedraEdit

Zzavfa
Unknown, used for cussing by Fargravians[17]

DunmerEdit

Fetcher[18]
N'wah
Foreigner, slave[19]
Nchow[20]
S'wit[21]

KhajiitEdit

Clawless
Non-Khajiit, or, when used on a Khajiit, a general insult[22]
Jekosiit[23]
Muskarse[24]

NordEdit

Milk-drinker
Coward[25]

OrcEdit

Tusk
a word with multiple uses that can also be used for profanity. An example is "Tusk you!" "Who gives a tusk?" [26]

ReachmenEdit

Reeker[27][28]
Thinblood
Commonly used towards outsiders,[29][30] but not always the case.[31]

RedguardEdit

Tobr'a
Useless[32]

NotesEdit

  • Several instances of real world profanity exist in The Elder Scrolls. These include shit,[33] bitch,[34] son-of-a-bitch,[35] retarded,[36] dammit,[37] ass,[38] asshole,[39] bastard,[40] whore,[41] and slut.[42] There is an allusion to the word fuck,[43] but the full word has never been used in the series. Instead, it is often substituted with setting-related profanity such as "fetch" (ie. "fetcher" or "fetching")[44] or "tusk" (ie. "tusker" or "tusking").[26][45]

ReferencesEdit

  1. ^ Timeo Dubroc's dialogue in ESO: High Isle
  2. ^ a b c Loremaster's Archive - Bretons & High IsleLady Arabelle
  3. ^ Captain Llaari's dialogue in ESO
  4. ^ a b Craftreeve Midalmo's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  5. ^ Wisdom of the Flying GodsMagnius Calussa
  6. ^ Mixed Unit TacticsCodus Callonus
  7. ^ The Saga of Captain Wereshark, Part 5
  8. ^ Vulwulf Snow-Shod's dialogue in Skyrim
  9. ^ Crafting Motif 11: Ancient Elf StyleSeif-ij Hidja
  10. ^ Altmer Justice Dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  11. ^ Kloxu's dialogue in ESO: Murkmire
  12. ^ The Sharper Tongue: A Jel PrimerLights-the-Way, Mystic of the Mages Guild
  13. ^ a b The Infernal CityGreg Keyes
  14. ^ Noyei-Heem's dialogue in ESO
  15. ^ Talen-Jei's dialogue in Skyrim
  16. ^ Isobel Veloise's dialogue in ESO: High Isle
  17. ^ Nass, Luna Berie, Severius Rutilus, Skrix, and Verdam Sedri's dialogue in ESO: The Deadlands
  18. ^ Gang Lieutenant's dialogue in Blades
  19. ^ Hassour Zainsubani's dialogue in Morrowind
  20. ^ Talym Rend's dialogue during Bthardamz Dungeon in Legends: Isle of Madness
  21. ^ Vals Veran's dialogue in Skyrim
  22. ^ Renaku's dialogue in ESO: Morrowind
  23. ^ Narazda's dialogue in ESO: Wolfhunter
  24. ^ Rideza's dialogue in ESO: Elsweyr
  25. ^ General Yeveth Noramil's dialogue in ESO
  26. ^ a b Orcs and Their TusksFolms Seleth
  27. ^ Malkor's dialogue in ESO: Markarth
  28. ^ Gwenyfe's dialogue in ESO: Markarth
  29. ^ Aeodfaern's dialogue in ESO: Markarth
  30. ^ Tayfaern's dialogue in ESO: Markarth
  31. ^ Reach Bedtime StoriesIsa Truiand, Teller of Tales
  32. ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: HammerfellImperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
  33. ^ Feyfolken IIIWaughin Jarth
  34. ^ Ulfric Stormcloak's dialogue in Skyrim
  35. ^ Raven Biter's gravestone in New Sheoth Graveyard
  36. ^ Fools' EbonyFrincheps
  37. ^ Glenroy's dialogue in Oblivion
  38. ^ Erasmo's dialogue in Redguard
  39. ^ Tobias' dialogue in Redguard
  40. ^ Ragjar's dialogue in ESO
  41. ^ Ilnori Faustus' dialogue in Morrowind: Tribunal
  42. ^ Erikur's dialogue in Skyrim
  43. ^ Gerrick and Orsone's dialogue in Redguard
  44. ^ Mirri Elendis' dialogue in ESO: Blackwood
  45. ^ Arushna's dialogue in ESO