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]

General Profanity[edit]

Milk-finger
A term for a penis,[6] people found unpleasant are described with it[7]

Racial Slurs[edit]

Bear-pig
A term used toward Orcs derogatorily[8]
Cat, housecat
Terms used toward Khajiit derogatorily[9][10]
Dungmer
A term used toward Orcs derogatorily,[11] likely in reference to their supposed origins
Fish Elf, fish-Elf
A term used toward Maormer derogatorily[12][13]
Goblin-meat
A term used toward Redguards derogatorily,[14] likely in reference to their history
Gray-skin, dustman
Terms used toward Dunmer derogatorily[15][16][17]
Knife-ear
A term used toward Mer derogatorily[18]
Lizard, scaleskin
Terms used toward Argonians derogatorily[9][19][20]
Sea snake
A term used toward Maormer derogatorily[21][22]
Smoothskin
Term used by Argonians and Khajiit toward Men and Mer[23][24]
Snowman
A term used toward Nords derogatorily[25]

Profanity by Predominant Race[edit]

Altmer[edit]

De'nt
Unknown; usage suggests some form of an insult[26]
Nebarra
Foreigner[4]

Argonian[edit]

Dryskin, softskin
Non-Argonian
Kaoc
An exclamation of frustration[27]
Limp-fin[28]
Lukiul
Assimilated Argonian[29][30]
Mammal-licker[28]
Thtachalxan
Drykiller, when used toward a foreigner[31]
Waxhutil, Waxhuthi
Dammit[31]
Xuth, Xhuth[32][33]

Breton[edit]

Draigh
Impolite curse originating from Druid language[2][34]
Sandpiper
Derogatory term for "a person from off the isles", used by the people of the Systres[2]

Daedra[edit]

Zzavfa
Unknown, used for cussing by Fargravians[35]

Dunmer[edit]

Ashhole[36]
Fetch/Fetcher/Fetching
A word with multiple uses that can also be used for profanity[37]
N'wah
Foreigner, slave[38]
Nchow[39]
S'wit[40]

Khajiit[edit]

Clawless, unclawed
Non-Khajiit, or, when used on a Khajiit, a general insult[41]
Jekosiit[42]
Muskarse[43]

Nord[edit]

Milk-drinker
Coward[44]

Orc[edit]

Tusk/Tusker/Tusking
A word with multiple uses that can also be used for profanity. An example is "Tusk you!" "Who gives a tusk?"[45]

Reachmen[edit]

Reeker[46][47]
Thinblood
Commonly used towards outsiders,[48][49] but not always the case.[50]

Redguard[edit]

Tobr'a
Useless[51]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

  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. ^ The 36 Lessons of VivecVivec
  7. ^ Sergeant Berrek's dialogue in ESO
  8. ^ Jena Matius' dialogue in Blades
  9. ^ a b Stormcloack Guard dialogue in Skyrim
  10. ^ Mixed Unit TacticsCodus Callonus
  11. ^ Kyne's Challenge: A Hunter's Companion — David S. J. Hodgson
  12. ^ Adwig's JournalAdwig Racicot
  13. ^ Za'ji's dialogue in ESO
  14. ^ Generic Voiced Dialogue about Redguards in Morrowind
  15. ^ Rolff Stone-Fist's and Angrenor Once-Honored's dialogue in Skyrim
  16. ^ Rigurt the Brash's dialogue in ESO
  17. ^ Ahnassi's dialogue in Morrowind
  18. ^ The Saga of Captain Wereshark, Part 5
  19. ^ Vulwulf Snow-Shod's dialogue in Skyrim
  20. ^ Crafting Motif 11: Ancient Elf StyleSeif-ij Hidja
  21. ^ Kinlady Helenaere's dialogue in ESO
  22. ^ Khavid's dialogue in ESO
  23. ^ Vara-Zeen's dialogue in ESO
  24. ^ Tarazka's dialogue in ESO
  25. ^ Generic Voiced Dialogue about Nords in Morrowind
  26. ^ Altmer Justice Dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  27. ^ Kloxu's dialogue in ESO: Murkmire
  28. ^ a b Meer-Ta's dialogue in ESO
  29. ^ The Sharper Tongue: A Jel PrimerLights-the-Way, Mystic of the Mages Guild
  30. ^ Pujeerish's dialogue in ESO
  31. ^ a b The Infernal CityGreg Keyes
  32. ^ Noyei-Heem's dialogue in ESO
  33. ^ Talen-Jei's dialogue in Skyrim
  34. ^ Isobel Veloise's dialogue in ESO: High Isle
  35. ^ Nass, Luna Berie, Severius Rutilus, Skrix, and Verdam Sedri's dialogue in ESO: The Deadlands
  36. ^ a b c Mirri Elendis' dialogue in ESO: Blackwood
  37. ^ Gang Lieutenant's dialogue in Blades
  38. ^ Hassour Zainsubani's dialogue in Morrowind
  39. ^ Talym Rend's dialogue during Bthardamz Dungeon in Legends: Isle of Madness
  40. ^ Vals Veran's dialogue in Skyrim
  41. ^ Renaku's dialogue in ESO: Morrowind
  42. ^ Narazda's dialogue in ESO: Wolfhunter
  43. ^ Rideza's dialogue in ESO: Elsweyr
  44. ^ General Yeveth Noramil's dialogue in ESO
  45. ^ a b Orcs and Their TusksFolms Seleth
  46. ^ Malkor's dialogue in ESO: Markarth
  47. ^ Gwenyfe's dialogue in ESO: Markarth
  48. ^ Aeodfaern's dialogue in ESO: Markarth
  49. ^ Tayfaern's dialogue in ESO: Markarth
  50. ^ Reach Bedtime StoriesIsa Truiand, Teller of Tales
  51. ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: HammerfellImperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
  52. ^ Feyfolken IIIWaughin Jarth
  53. ^ Ulfric Stormcloak's dialogue in Skyrim
  54. ^ Raven Biter's gravestone in the New Sheoth Graveyard in Shivering Isles
  55. ^ Fools' EbonyFrincheps
  56. ^ Glenroy's dialogue in Oblivion
  57. ^ Erasmo's dialogue in Redguard
  58. ^ Tobias' dialogue in Redguard
  59. ^ Ragjar's dialogue in ESO
  60. ^ Ilnori Faustus' dialogue in Morrowind: Tribunal
  61. ^ Erikur's dialogue in Skyrim
  62. ^ Gerrick and Orsone's dialogue in Redguard
  63. ^ Arushna's dialogue in ESO