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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
Latest Blog Post: FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention (Spring 2019)Is Nugganism supposed to be an allegory for Scientology?What is this reference in wyrd sisters?What did Darren Cross mean with “Word travels fast”What is this Norwegian shouting?Can someone explain this phrase about gambling stones?What happens to the baby worldturtles?Why did Death help set Ankh-Morpork on fire?What does this line mean in the Watchmen movie?What does this phrase from Ursula Le Guin's book “The Lathe of Heaven” mean?What does this joke mean in “Get Schwifty”?
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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 51 mins ago
StormblessedStormblessed
2,77011043
add a 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
asked 51 mins ago
StormblessedStormblessed
2,77011043
I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?
– Ash
48 mins ago
1
Maybe provide a bit more context for this?
– JMac
28 mins ago
@JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.
– Valorum
18 mins 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
14 mins ago
add a 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
asked 51 mins ago
StormblessedStormblessed
2,77011043
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 51 mins ago
StormblessedStormblessed
2,77011043
asked 51 mins ago
StormblessedStormblessed
2,77011043
asked 51 mins ago
StormblessedStormblessed
2,77011043
asked 51 mins ago
StormblessedStormblessed
2,77011043
asked 51 mins ago
StormblessedStormblessed
2,77011043
2,77011043
I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?
– Ash
48 mins ago
1
Maybe provide a bit more context for this?
– JMac
28 mins ago
@JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.
– Valorum
18 mins 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
14 mins ago
add a comment |
I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?
– Ash
48 mins ago
1
Maybe provide a bit more context for this?
– JMac
28 mins ago
@JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.
– Valorum
18 mins 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
14 mins ago
I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?
– Ash
48 mins ago
I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?
– Ash
48 mins ago
1
1
Maybe provide a bit more context for this?
– JMac
28 mins ago
Maybe provide a bit more context for this?
– JMac
28 mins ago
@JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.
– Valorum
18 mins ago
@JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.
– Valorum
18 mins 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
14 mins 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
14 mins ago
add a 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.
answered 46 mins ago
DavidWDavidW
4,27011453
1
And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!
– ruakh
23 mins 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.
answered 40 mins ago
ValorumValorum
417k11430383261
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 46 mins ago
DavidWDavidW
4,27011453
1
And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!
– ruakh
23 mins 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 46 mins ago
DavidWDavidW
4,27011453
1
And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!
– ruakh
23 mins 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 46 mins ago
DavidWDavidW
4,27011453
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 46 mins ago
DavidWDavidW
4,27011453
edited 39 mins ago
answered 46 mins ago
DavidWDavidW
4,27011453
answered 46 mins ago
DavidWDavidW
4,27011453
answered 46 mins ago
DavidWDavidW
4,27011453
4,27011453
1
And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!
– ruakh
23 mins ago
add a comment |
1
And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!
– ruakh
23 mins ago
1
1
And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!
– ruakh
23 mins ago
And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!
– ruakh
23 mins 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.
answered 40 mins ago
ValorumValorum
417k11430383261
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.
answered 40 mins ago
ValorumValorum
417k11430383261
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.
answered 40 mins ago
ValorumValorum
417k11430383261
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.
answered 40 mins ago
ValorumValorum
417k11430383261
edited 20 mins ago
answered 40 mins ago
ValorumValorum
417k11430383261
answered 40 mins ago
ValorumValorum
417k11430383261
answered 40 mins 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
48 mins ago
1
Maybe provide a bit more context for this?
– JMac
28 mins ago
@JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.
– Valorum
18 mins 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
14 mins ago