“Harm through words - A collection of modernized imperial swears and slurs”

An imperial book by the author Trus Tme although the books is popular in imperial circles the book never became widely available to the general imperial population. Issues of the book or reprints may still be found in imperial homes.
== “Harm through words - A collection of modernized imperial swears and slurs” ==
=== Foreword ===
I Trus Tme write this book with the full intent of enlightening the general public of the indecency and unfortunate use of slurs and swears in the common daily speech of Imperial citizenry. As such I have compiled a longer list of swears and their meanings. In some cases where I have been able to find their connotation or history it has been appended to the issue.
=== General Imperial Slurs ===
Slur 	Meaning 	Story (If applicable)
8 Finger 	Fumbling Idiot / Jobless 	It's believed that the swear "8 Finger" has its origins in either woodworking or smithing. Where it was common practice for apprentice's to hold the material being worked on while their master worked the material. In some cases an apprentice would lose a finger in the process of holding the material. This could happen twice before most masters kicked out their apprentices leaving them with 8 Finger and no job.
Daemon 	Demon / Horrible / Bad 	From the Imperial church. Believers will call people they see lesser than themselves Daemons or another slur. In cases like accidents it may also be possible to hear common workers yelp out "Daemon" to themselves.
Soggy 	Used to describe a magicless individual 	Although the origins are unknown this relatively localized slur is used to describe an individual that has little to no contact with the winds of magicLocally called "The Weave" but still insists on attempting the practice of magic.
The slur may also be found outside the local regions it's from. Often in magic schools used to bully lesser individuals.
"As useful as a Frostheimi Gold Piece"	An extraordinarily stupid individual / Someone that isn't very useful 	The Sentence has its roots in the cities surrounding Frostheim a city-region in the northern parts of the imperial territories that doesn't generally trade in the accepted imperial gold piece. It is said that the phrase was coined when an individual in the area tried to make their coin pouch float as a magic trick but accidentally lit it ablaze.
"Low like the Nordtaler" 	Used in a derogatory fashion to describe a taller individual 	Unknown Origins
"Tipped Bag" 	Used in order to describe a person that is insane or bad at their job. 	While the origins remain unclear and cannot be accurately traced back. It is believed that the term comes from a group of adventurers. Being "a tipped bag" is calling someone crazy while "tipping the bag" is saying that someone is bad at their job. While the connotation is negative it is in more modernized society almost purely used as a playful statement.
"Deeper than Dead Man's Loch" 	Used in a derogatory fashion to describe a dense individual. 	The term has it's origins in the area around Taler-see where the Captain Anton allegedly ordered his men on a dive into the Dead Man's Loch. After all of his men had surfaced a small sailor asked to dive down once more to which the captain obliged. After the sailor returned and requested another dive the captain allegedly coined the phrase saying. "that boy is deeper than the Dead Man's Loch"
"Looping around like Zwili river" 	Used to describe someone who doesn't know what's going on. / Something that will never happen 	While it's unclear where the phrase originates from, the meaning has not been lost.
The Zwili-river is a spring that flows down into the Taler-see. It cannot loop without the continents geography changing.
Horseman 	Used to describe an individual who is excluded from a party or group of people 	It is believed that the term Horseman originates from when parties visit bars or brothels where they could tie up their horses. The horseman would then be an individual asked to be "left behind" in order to tend the horses. Making sure they were fed and given water properly.
While some individuals may view this as a negative thing and therefore excluding. Certain individuals prefer being given the title/position of Horseman. However they usually prefer the more professional term "Tender"
"Ale tipper" 	Derogatory term for an individual who accidentally or not tip ale in a tavern or similar setting	Bra'Thann... You know exactly what you did to deserve this title...The term has its origins in old imperial culture but has been revived in newer time in tavern settings here in Ferra. While the use of the word isn't seen outside of the tavern setting so far it has multiple uses that we may see in the future...
Grape guzzler 	Derogatory term for a high-class alcoholic 	Due to the wide availability of several wines within the noble circles it is not uncommon for noble alcoholics to be pointed out by the lower classes. And while the story behind why the term was coined is not widely known it has been theorized that there is a direct correlation between the drunkard of Vielenstrom and the term, it is highly theorized that this is the case.
=== Race Based Slurs ===
Slur 	Meaning 	Story (If applicable)
Tiefling 	Derogatory name calling of a Starfallen 	Tiefling is what previously was the name of the Starfallen race. Although more accepted in today's imperial society the Starfallen race still live in the shadow of the name Tiefling. In some areas it is believed that tieflings are associated with the daemons or deities that fall outside of the imperial pantheon.
Red Skin 	Derogatory name calling based off the color of ones skin. 	Although the swear is used against people based solely off the color of ones skin it is ssually used against people of the Starfallen race due to the vibrant and wide range of colors their skin might take. It is usually used in place of names in order to degrade the recipient who more often than not would rather that the person used their name. Additionally it has also been seen in the past used to associate certain individuals of the Starfallen race with daemons. In turn making the use of the swear more connected with the imperial church and it's followers.
Round ear 	Derogatory term for the lesser imperial race. 	While the origins are unknown the term describes people of the imperial race who exhibit more of the recessive human genes. This in turn gives them round ears, lack of dark vision, etc. Perks which most imperials may take for granted in day to day life. In today's modernized imperial society the term is still widely used both to degrade, shun and bully people who have messed up in some way. The term also widely presents itself in society in schools and academy's for children, the term however starts to get less used once people enter profession schools and or magical academies.
Knife Ear 	Derogatory name calling of Elf/Imperial 	The origins are unknown but the connotation if clear. It is theorized that Dwarves may have first thought up the slur before it being introduced to the widespread imperial society. It may also be found used by lesser imperials, often those who does not have the elf gene making their ears more rounded than the average imperial.
Rock Muncher 	Derogatory name calling of Dwarf 	The origins are unknown but it is believed to have been a response thought up by Elves or imperials as a response of name calling from a race of smaller stature.
Long Snout 	Derogatory name calling for Orcs and other Beastmen. While uncommon the term is also seen used against the half-beast races that we find in imperial society	While the origin may seem obvious the name itself didn't become popular before it was used in neutral bars and hostels in the period both shortly before, during and after The Beastly Torment.
Since bars in the areas between the lowlands and the imperial territories were few and far between at the time. Ravaged by war. The term was only largely used in bars that were established as Imperial only. With it's heavy ties to the conflict and the general lack of beastmen in the imperial territories it remains mostly unused today.
Cow Faced 	Derogatory statement. Often used for beastfolk 	A "cow faced" individual is someone who often isn't what they seem but the person interacting should have known it from the start. 
The statement is often associated with beastfolk due to their connection with animals such as the cow, pig, lizard and multitudes of other animals.
Liz, Lizzie and "Scaleman"	Terms are often used in negative connotation. Primarily focused towards Lizardfolk 	All of the terms are usually used to describe someone that is a liar or cheat. In certain cases it's also used to describe people that are distracting you from some bigger plot or crime.
While "Lizzie" also is a general descriptor of the Lizardfolk the term "Scaleman" describes a person that is abrasively hiding their intentions or will in front of others. Often in order to get something in return. "Scaleman" in this context is not to be confused with fishfolk/mermen
Shell licker 	Negative descriptor of the Fishfolk/Fishmen. It has also been reported that the term has been used against mermaids. 	A derogatory term that describes the entirety of the fishfolk and their sub species and races. With the notable exception of fish-like races that have evolved with shells and therefore have gone down an evolutionary path that has lead them to become crustaceans. The term can be tracked back to when shell peddlers would go out on the beaches in order to collect shells to sell at market. It is believed that certain peddlers would in the early morning be able to see mermen/maids on the shores "licking the shells" which would start glowing with an unnatural light. Today ofcourse we are aware that it is more likely that the reason the merfolk was so close to shore was either infighting or them dying as a result of trail by combat which is believed to be the current way affairs are settled in the merfolk settlements.
"Wet man" 	Refferring to a person who has fish/merman like features 	Although not widely documented it is possible to come across people along the imperial coasts that are using the nickname "wet man" for individuals who share or have fish-like features or have a strong connection with the sea but never set sail out. While the intent seems playful individuals i have spoken to have more often than not found it hurtful or downright unfair.
"Fish stick" 	Referring to a fish or merman 	n/a
=== Older / Uncommon Slurs and Swears ===
Slur 	Meaning 	Story (If applicable)
"One horn" 	Derogatory name calling of a one horned slave. Usually of the Starfallen race	While the Starfallen are becoming more and more accepted into modernized imperial society they have in older time been held as slaves by imperial society. In this period where there was popularity and status to be had by owning a Starfallen slave. It was not uncommon practice to cut off one of the slave's horns which due to their uniqueness was an easy identifier in case of escape. It also acted as a physical proof of ownership. Some slave owner even got their names engraved into the cut horns in order to show status and be able to have further claim upon the slave in case of loss or theft.
"Zweiwig's Hero" 	Derogatory status to be claimed over somebody. 	While the exact origins are unknown it is believed that the term "Zweiwig's Hero" has emerged largely after the fall of Zweiwig. It is believed the phrase was coined for people that largely messed up in some fashion that would place them upon a pedestal for people to see both them and their mess up.
"Baker Weevil" 	Claiming derogatory gluttonous status over somebody. 	It has been suggested by my peers that the term or phrasing of "Baker's Weevil" comes from when bread was not widely available on the continent making people who ate a lot of bread or had widespread access to bread as a commodity in their everyday lives "Baker's Weevils". Noble folk or people of high status who were some of the first to gain access to the commodity of course started using the term to describe bread thieves who would steal freshly baked bread in order to get hot meals.
"Gl'hass Licr" 	Derogatory term for a poor individual 	While the origins of the phrase isn't known. It is believed that the phrase means to be "licking the bottom of a man's glass". Therefore the meaning can also be interpreted as, "Poor man needs to be given the least". And by extension it therefore is meant as a term which shuns the poor.
It is believed to have been used by nobles in society who, while perchance perusing the streets of the old empire. Would encounter a lesser fortunate individual and offer the least he could, while still shunning the individual's lifestyle and person.
"Bluer than tief-sø"	Phrase which degrades one for being scared 	While the origins cannot be traced. It is believed to have been used to describe individuals who were scared in the face of danger. And as such called out with the phrase "Bluer than tief-sø". "Tief-sø" is believed to be referring to the modernized "Tiefensee" which is located a little west of the Taler-see.
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