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What is this word supposed to be?
Unicorn Meta Zoo #1: Why another podcast?
Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara
Favorite questions and answers from first quarter of 2019
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In The Colour of Magic, on page 46 of my copy, Twoflower says this word:
“Reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits?”
It seems to be like “in-sewer-ants-policy”, i.e. a term that they don’t have a word for in the language (“insurance policy”), but I can’t figure out what it’d be.
I asked two people who couldn’t figure it out, either.
discworld language-explanation
|
show 1 more comment
In The Colour of Magic, on page 46 of my copy, Twoflower says this word:
“Reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits?”
It seems to be like “in-sewer-ants-policy”, i.e. a term that they don’t have a word for in the language (“insurance policy”), but I can’t figure out what it’d be.
I asked two people who couldn’t figure it out, either.
discworld language-explanation
I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?
– Ash
2 hours ago
1
Maybe provide a bit more context for this?
– JMac
2 hours ago
@JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.
– Valorum
2 hours ago
2
@Valorum I had read this part of the book and couldn't remember what it was referring to without seeing the answers. It seems strange to me. Does Twoflowers actually say "Reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits?" (doesn't seem right) or was that something Rincewind was thinking after Twoflowers tries to explain to him what he does?
– JMac
2 hours ago
@JMac - Rincewind always transliterates Twoflower's speech into Morporkian. Twoflower is saying "echo-gnomics"
– Valorum
21 mins ago
|
show 1 more comment
In The Colour of Magic, on page 46 of my copy, Twoflower says this word:
“Reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits?”
It seems to be like “in-sewer-ants-policy”, i.e. a term that they don’t have a word for in the language (“insurance policy”), but I can’t figure out what it’d be.
I asked two people who couldn’t figure it out, either.
discworld language-explanation
In The Colour of Magic, on page 46 of my copy, Twoflower says this word:
“Reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits?”
It seems to be like “in-sewer-ants-policy”, i.e. a term that they don’t have a word for in the language (“insurance policy”), but I can’t figure out what it’d be.
I asked two people who couldn’t figure it out, either.
discworld language-explanation
discworld language-explanation
asked 2 hours ago
StormblessedStormblessed
2,82211043
2,82211043
I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?
– Ash
2 hours ago
1
Maybe provide a bit more context for this?
– JMac
2 hours ago
@JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.
– Valorum
2 hours ago
2
@Valorum I had read this part of the book and couldn't remember what it was referring to without seeing the answers. It seems strange to me. Does Twoflowers actually say "Reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits?" (doesn't seem right) or was that something Rincewind was thinking after Twoflowers tries to explain to him what he does?
– JMac
2 hours ago
@JMac - Rincewind always transliterates Twoflower's speech into Morporkian. Twoflower is saying "echo-gnomics"
– Valorum
21 mins ago
|
show 1 more comment
I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?
– Ash
2 hours ago
1
Maybe provide a bit more context for this?
– JMac
2 hours ago
@JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.
– Valorum
2 hours ago
2
@Valorum I had read this part of the book and couldn't remember what it was referring to without seeing the answers. It seems strange to me. Does Twoflowers actually say "Reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits?" (doesn't seem right) or was that something Rincewind was thinking after Twoflowers tries to explain to him what he does?
– JMac
2 hours ago
@JMac - Rincewind always transliterates Twoflower's speech into Morporkian. Twoflower is saying "echo-gnomics"
– Valorum
21 mins ago
I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?
– Ash
2 hours ago
I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?
– Ash
2 hours ago
1
1
Maybe provide a bit more context for this?
– JMac
2 hours ago
Maybe provide a bit more context for this?
– JMac
2 hours ago
@JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.
– Valorum
2 hours ago
@JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.
– Valorum
2 hours ago
2
2
@Valorum I had read this part of the book and couldn't remember what it was referring to without seeing the answers. It seems strange to me. Does Twoflowers actually say "Reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits?" (doesn't seem right) or was that something Rincewind was thinking after Twoflowers tries to explain to him what he does?
– JMac
2 hours ago
@Valorum I had read this part of the book and couldn't remember what it was referring to without seeing the answers. It seems strange to me. Does Twoflowers actually say "Reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits?" (doesn't seem right) or was that something Rincewind was thinking after Twoflowers tries to explain to him what he does?
– JMac
2 hours ago
@JMac - Rincewind always transliterates Twoflower's speech into Morporkian. Twoflower is saying "echo-gnomics"
– Valorum
21 mins ago
@JMac - Rincewind always transliterates Twoflower's speech into Morporkian. Twoflower is saying "echo-gnomics"
– Valorum
21 mins ago
|
show 1 more comment
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
The word is "echo-gnomics" ("economics")
An echo is a reflected sound; gnomes live underground.
Etymologically, "gnomes" [mythology] are described as "a legendary race of human-like beings, usually imagined as short and possibly bearded males, who inhabit the inner parts of the earth and act as guardians of mines, mineral treasure, etc." (Source: wiktionary)
Apparently I've played too much D&D where gnomes aren't specifically tied to the underground.
1
And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!
– ruakh
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Rincewind tries his hand at a better translation later in the book.
Bloody hell, he thought. He’s alive! Me too. Who’d have thought it? Perhaps there is something in this reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits? It was a cumbersome phrase. Rincewind tried to get his tongue around the thick syllables that were the word in Twoflower’s own language.
“Ecolirix?” he tried. “Ecro-gnothics? Echo-gnomics?”
That would do. That sounded about right.
As with 'insurance', the concept of 'economics' (a reflected sound is an echo, underground spirits are gnomes) is largely unheard of in that part of the disc. Rincewind describes it as 'financial wizardry'
“Well, my point is, you see, that gold also has its sort of magical field. Sort of financial wizardry. Echo-gnomics.” Rincewind giggled.
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
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active
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The word is "echo-gnomics" ("economics")
An echo is a reflected sound; gnomes live underground.
Etymologically, "gnomes" [mythology] are described as "a legendary race of human-like beings, usually imagined as short and possibly bearded males, who inhabit the inner parts of the earth and act as guardians of mines, mineral treasure, etc." (Source: wiktionary)
Apparently I've played too much D&D where gnomes aren't specifically tied to the underground.
1
And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!
– ruakh
2 hours ago
add a comment |
The word is "echo-gnomics" ("economics")
An echo is a reflected sound; gnomes live underground.
Etymologically, "gnomes" [mythology] are described as "a legendary race of human-like beings, usually imagined as short and possibly bearded males, who inhabit the inner parts of the earth and act as guardians of mines, mineral treasure, etc." (Source: wiktionary)
Apparently I've played too much D&D where gnomes aren't specifically tied to the underground.
1
And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!
– ruakh
2 hours ago
add a comment |
The word is "echo-gnomics" ("economics")
An echo is a reflected sound; gnomes live underground.
Etymologically, "gnomes" [mythology] are described as "a legendary race of human-like beings, usually imagined as short and possibly bearded males, who inhabit the inner parts of the earth and act as guardians of mines, mineral treasure, etc." (Source: wiktionary)
Apparently I've played too much D&D where gnomes aren't specifically tied to the underground.
The word is "echo-gnomics" ("economics")
An echo is a reflected sound; gnomes live underground.
Etymologically, "gnomes" [mythology] are described as "a legendary race of human-like beings, usually imagined as short and possibly bearded males, who inhabit the inner parts of the earth and act as guardians of mines, mineral treasure, etc." (Source: wiktionary)
Apparently I've played too much D&D where gnomes aren't specifically tied to the underground.
edited 2 hours ago
answered 2 hours ago
DavidWDavidW
4,28511653
4,28511653
1
And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!
– ruakh
2 hours ago
add a comment |
1
And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!
– ruakh
2 hours ago
1
1
And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!
– ruakh
2 hours ago
And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!
– ruakh
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Rincewind tries his hand at a better translation later in the book.
Bloody hell, he thought. He’s alive! Me too. Who’d have thought it? Perhaps there is something in this reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits? It was a cumbersome phrase. Rincewind tried to get his tongue around the thick syllables that were the word in Twoflower’s own language.
“Ecolirix?” he tried. “Ecro-gnothics? Echo-gnomics?”
That would do. That sounded about right.
As with 'insurance', the concept of 'economics' (a reflected sound is an echo, underground spirits are gnomes) is largely unheard of in that part of the disc. Rincewind describes it as 'financial wizardry'
“Well, my point is, you see, that gold also has its sort of magical field. Sort of financial wizardry. Echo-gnomics.” Rincewind giggled.
add a comment |
Rincewind tries his hand at a better translation later in the book.
Bloody hell, he thought. He’s alive! Me too. Who’d have thought it? Perhaps there is something in this reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits? It was a cumbersome phrase. Rincewind tried to get his tongue around the thick syllables that were the word in Twoflower’s own language.
“Ecolirix?” he tried. “Ecro-gnothics? Echo-gnomics?”
That would do. That sounded about right.
As with 'insurance', the concept of 'economics' (a reflected sound is an echo, underground spirits are gnomes) is largely unheard of in that part of the disc. Rincewind describes it as 'financial wizardry'
“Well, my point is, you see, that gold also has its sort of magical field. Sort of financial wizardry. Echo-gnomics.” Rincewind giggled.
add a comment |
Rincewind tries his hand at a better translation later in the book.
Bloody hell, he thought. He’s alive! Me too. Who’d have thought it? Perhaps there is something in this reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits? It was a cumbersome phrase. Rincewind tried to get his tongue around the thick syllables that were the word in Twoflower’s own language.
“Ecolirix?” he tried. “Ecro-gnothics? Echo-gnomics?”
That would do. That sounded about right.
As with 'insurance', the concept of 'economics' (a reflected sound is an echo, underground spirits are gnomes) is largely unheard of in that part of the disc. Rincewind describes it as 'financial wizardry'
“Well, my point is, you see, that gold also has its sort of magical field. Sort of financial wizardry. Echo-gnomics.” Rincewind giggled.
Rincewind tries his hand at a better translation later in the book.
Bloody hell, he thought. He’s alive! Me too. Who’d have thought it? Perhaps there is something in this reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits? It was a cumbersome phrase. Rincewind tried to get his tongue around the thick syllables that were the word in Twoflower’s own language.
“Ecolirix?” he tried. “Ecro-gnothics? Echo-gnomics?”
That would do. That sounded about right.
As with 'insurance', the concept of 'economics' (a reflected sound is an echo, underground spirits are gnomes) is largely unheard of in that part of the disc. Rincewind describes it as 'financial wizardry'
“Well, my point is, you see, that gold also has its sort of magical field. Sort of financial wizardry. Echo-gnomics.” Rincewind giggled.
edited 2 hours ago
answered 2 hours ago
ValorumValorum
417k11430383261
417k11430383261
add a comment |
add a comment |
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I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?
– Ash
2 hours ago
1
Maybe provide a bit more context for this?
– JMac
2 hours ago
@JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.
– Valorum
2 hours ago
2
@Valorum I had read this part of the book and couldn't remember what it was referring to without seeing the answers. It seems strange to me. Does Twoflowers actually say "Reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits?" (doesn't seem right) or was that something Rincewind was thinking after Twoflowers tries to explain to him what he does?
– JMac
2 hours ago
@JMac - Rincewind always transliterates Twoflower's speech into Morporkian. Twoflower is saying "echo-gnomics"
– Valorum
21 mins ago