What is this word supposed to be?
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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
asked 5 hours ago
StormblessedStormblessed
2,84211044
|
show 2 more comments
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
asked 5 hours ago
StormblessedStormblessed
2,84211044
I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?
– Ash
5 hours ago
1
Maybe provide a bit more context for this?
– JMac
5 hours ago
2
@JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.
– Valorum
5 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
5 hours ago
1
@JMac - Rincewind always transliterates Twoflower's speech into Morporkian. Twoflower is saying "echo-gnomics"
– Valorum
3 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
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
asked 5 hours ago
StormblessedStormblessed
2,84211044
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 5 hours ago
StormblessedStormblessed
2,84211044
asked 5 hours ago
StormblessedStormblessed
2,84211044
asked 5 hours ago
StormblessedStormblessed
2,84211044
asked 5 hours ago
StormblessedStormblessed
2,84211044
asked 5 hours ago
StormblessedStormblessed
2,84211044
2,84211044
I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?
– Ash
5 hours ago
1
Maybe provide a bit more context for this?
– JMac
5 hours ago
2
@JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.
– Valorum
5 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
5 hours ago
1
@JMac - Rincewind always transliterates Twoflower's speech into Morporkian. Twoflower is saying "echo-gnomics"
– Valorum
3 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?
– Ash
5 hours ago
1
Maybe provide a bit more context for this?
– JMac
5 hours ago
2
@JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.
– Valorum
5 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
5 hours ago
1
@JMac - Rincewind always transliterates Twoflower's speech into Morporkian. Twoflower is saying "echo-gnomics"
– Valorum
3 hours ago
I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?
– Ash
5 hours ago
I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?
– Ash
5 hours ago
1
1
Maybe provide a bit more context for this?
– JMac
5 hours ago
Maybe provide a bit more context for this?
– JMac
5 hours ago
2
2
@JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.
– Valorum
5 hours ago
@JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.
– Valorum
5 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
5 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
5 hours ago
1
1
@JMac - Rincewind always transliterates Twoflower's speech into Morporkian. Twoflower is saying "echo-gnomics"
– Valorum
3 hours ago
@JMac - Rincewind always transliterates Twoflower's speech into Morporkian. Twoflower is saying "echo-gnomics"
– Valorum
3 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
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.
answered 5 hours ago
DavidWDavidW
4,32511753
1
And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!
– ruakh
5 hours ago
add a comment |
Rincewind tries his hand at a better translation later in the book (emphasis added):
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' (emphasis added):
“Well, my point is, you see, that gold also has its sort of magical field. Sort of financial wizardry. Echo-gnomics.” Rincewind giggled.
edited 1 hour ago
Stormblessed
2,84211044
answered 5 hours ago
ValorumValorum
417k11430393261
3
Might be worth pointing out that echo-gnomics would be pronounced economics, something that wouldn't be immediately obvious to people fortunate enough to have been raised speaking languages with rational spelling.
– terdon
2 hours ago
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
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.
answered 5 hours ago
DavidWDavidW
4,32511753
1
And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!
– ruakh
5 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.
answered 5 hours ago
DavidWDavidW
4,32511753
1
And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!
– ruakh
5 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.
answered 5 hours ago
DavidWDavidW
4,32511753
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.
answered 5 hours ago
DavidWDavidW
4,32511753
edited 5 hours ago
answered 5 hours ago
DavidWDavidW
4,32511753
answered 5 hours ago
DavidWDavidW
4,32511753
answered 5 hours ago
DavidWDavidW
4,32511753
4,32511753
1
And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!
– ruakh
5 hours ago
add a comment |
1
And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!
– ruakh
5 hours ago
1
1
And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!
– ruakh
5 hours ago
And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!
– ruakh
5 hours ago
add a comment |
Rincewind tries his hand at a better translation later in the book (emphasis added):
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' (emphasis added):
“Well, my point is, you see, that gold also has its sort of magical field. Sort of financial wizardry. Echo-gnomics.” Rincewind giggled.
edited 1 hour ago
Stormblessed
2,84211044
answered 5 hours ago
ValorumValorum
417k11430393261
3
Might be worth pointing out that echo-gnomics would be pronounced economics, something that wouldn't be immediately obvious to people fortunate enough to have been raised speaking languages with rational spelling.
– terdon
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Rincewind tries his hand at a better translation later in the book (emphasis added):
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' (emphasis added):
“Well, my point is, you see, that gold also has its sort of magical field. Sort of financial wizardry. Echo-gnomics.” Rincewind giggled.
edited 1 hour ago
Stormblessed
2,84211044
answered 5 hours ago
ValorumValorum
417k11430393261
3
Might be worth pointing out that echo-gnomics would be pronounced economics, something that wouldn't be immediately obvious to people fortunate enough to have been raised speaking languages with rational spelling.
– terdon
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Rincewind tries his hand at a better translation later in the book (emphasis added):
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' (emphasis added):
“Well, my point is, you see, that gold also has its sort of magical field. Sort of financial wizardry. Echo-gnomics.” Rincewind giggled.
edited 1 hour ago
Stormblessed
2,84211044
answered 5 hours ago
ValorumValorum
417k11430393261
Rincewind tries his hand at a better translation later in the book (emphasis added):
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' (emphasis added):
“Well, my point is, you see, that gold also has its sort of magical field. Sort of financial wizardry. Echo-gnomics.” Rincewind giggled.
edited 1 hour ago
Stormblessed
2,84211044
answered 5 hours ago
ValorumValorum
417k11430393261
edited 1 hour ago
Stormblessed
2,84211044
edited 1 hour ago
Stormblessed
2,84211044
edited 1 hour ago
Stormblessed
2,84211044
2,84211044
answered 5 hours ago
ValorumValorum
417k11430393261
answered 5 hours ago
ValorumValorum
417k11430393261
answered 5 hours ago
ValorumValorum
417k11430393261
417k11430393261
3
Might be worth pointing out that echo-gnomics would be pronounced economics, something that wouldn't be immediately obvious to people fortunate enough to have been raised speaking languages with rational spelling.
– terdon
2 hours ago
add a comment |
3
Might be worth pointing out that echo-gnomics would be pronounced economics, something that wouldn't be immediately obvious to people fortunate enough to have been raised speaking languages with rational spelling.
– terdon
2 hours ago
3
3
Might be worth pointing out that echo-gnomics would be pronounced economics, something that wouldn't be immediately obvious to people fortunate enough to have been raised speaking languages with rational spelling.
– terdon
2 hours ago
Might be worth pointing out that echo-gnomics would be pronounced economics, something that wouldn't be immediately obvious to people fortunate enough to have been raised speaking languages with rational spelling.
– terdon
2 hours ago
add a comment |
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I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?
– Ash
5 hours ago
1
Maybe provide a bit more context for this?
– JMac
5 hours ago
2
@JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.
– Valorum
5 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
5 hours ago
1
@JMac - Rincewind always transliterates Twoflower's speech into Morporkian. Twoflower is saying "echo-gnomics"
– Valorum
3 hours ago