Slang in the World of Avatar

Slang refers to terms that are commonly used in everyday language but not considered official words, including exclamations and non-traditional insults. Slang can be positive or negative, and some terms carry connotations of both, depending on the context in which they are used.
There are several types of slang in the world, some of which are specific to individual nations and groups. As with all languages, slang changes over the course of time.
== Exclamations ==
* Bleeding hog monkeys — An expletive used by the pirate captain when he sees Team Avatar abscond with his ship. A varied form of "flying hog monkeys".
* Bull pig — An expletive meaning "nonsense".
* Bull shark — A slang term which means "nonsense".
* Eat dirt
* Flying fire ferrets — A phrase used by Satoru when struck with an idea. Comparable with "egad!" or "eureka" in context.
* Flying hog monkeys — A phrase used by many members of Team Avatar in unpleasant or unlucky situations.
* For Tui's sake — A phrase used by Water Tribe people to express annoyance or impatience.
* For Yangchen's sake — A phrase used by Earth Kingdom people to express annoyance or impatience.
* Grease berries — A phrase used to express annoyance.
* Holy Shu — A phrase used when one is pleasantly surprised.
* In the name of Oma's bastard children — A phrase used to express annoyance.
* La's fins — A phrase used in the Water Tribe to express shock and surprise.
* Let's make them fear the volcano — A phrase used by Fire Nation people to declare their readiness to fight.
* Monkey feathers — An obscenity used when events are not favorable. Variations include "double monkey feathers" and "monkey feathers on top of monkey feathers".
* Oh rats - A phrase used by Varrick to express annoyance, similar to "Oh drat".
* Salai's shoes — A phrase used to express shock and surprise.
* Spirits above — A phrase used to express shock and surprise.
* Spirits of the Islands — A phrase used in the Fire Nation to express shock, surprise, and annoyance.
* Tui's gills — A phrase used in the Water Tribe to express shock and surprise.
* What the flying frog — An exclamation used to emphasize shock and surprise.
== Insults ==
Insults throughout the world often take the form of derogatory names for members of the various nations or reference personal qualities that set the target apart. This is not universal, however, and some insults simply express annoyance at another person's actions.
* Ash maker — A slur directed at Fire Nation citizens, even those with mixed Fire Nation-Earth Kingdom heritage, such as Kori Morishita. It was used by people of the Earth Kingdom, such as the Freedom Fighters when dealing with the troubles caused by the Harmony Restoration Movement, as well as by members of the Water Tribe, such as Gilak and later Thod of the Southern Water Tribe when referring to Fire Lord Zuko.
* Blockhead — An insult intended to imply stupidity - see also meat head. It was used by Toph to describe Bolin's inability to learn metalbending.
* Blowhard — A term used by Sokka to describe a boring professor.
* Bozo — An insult used by Katara when battling the Rough Rhinos. It was also used when Bolin was badmouthing Prince Wu to Mako at the Republic City Four Elements.
* Boulder bouncer — An ad hoc insult directed at earthbenders and invented by some Fire Army soldiers during the prison rig revolt. Boqin considered the term exceptionally offensive.
* Chattering hog-monkey — Used to indicate excessive or unnecessary talking. Katara called Sokka this when he kept shouting unneeded waterbending advice at her.
* Colony trash — An insult directed at Fire Nation colonists who live in the Earth Kingdom. It was used by Hide to insult Aang, who had enrolled under the alias of a Fire Nation colonial in a school on the mainland.
* Dipstick — An insult directed at a useless or foolish person; used by Toph to refer to Bolin and the Earth Empire.
* Dirt people — A traditional insult directed at people with Earth Kingdom heritage, especially earthbenders. The variants dirt farmers, dirt eaters, dirt throwers, and dirt throwing dogs also existed. The slur is partially inspired by a traditional technique of poor Earth Kingdom farmers to occasionally taste small amounts of their fields' earth to judge the soil's condition. Already used by the 3rd century BG, "dirt people" had become a common insult used by Fire Nation natives during the Hundred Year War. Members of the Southern Water Tribe also adopted the slur, as evidenced by Thod's disciples referring to Toph as "dirt girl" and Gilak referring to Earth King Kuei as "dirt king".
* Dunderhead — A mild insult used by Aang when referring to Toph's stubborn nature. Synonymous with less rude insults such as "idiot" and "stupid-head". Toph herself used this term to refer to Master Yu and Xin Fu after she escaped their metal prison.
* Fancy fingers — A pejorative term for someone who is overly refined. When Toph claimed that Team Avatar does not have the manners to blend in with the upper class of Ba Sing Se, Katara fired back that Toph was not exactly "lady fancy fingers".
* Fatso — A derogatory term usually reserved for overweight people. Used by Azula when referring to her uncle Iroh as "Uncle Fatso".
* Fire tosser — A term first used during the era of Raava to refer to those with control over the element of fire, predating the term firebender. It was used by the aye-aye spirit to describe a group of men who had departed from their lion turtle and were behaving disrespectfully toward nature and violent to the spirits with whom they came into contact. Thousands of years later, Tyro used it as an insult for Fire Nation citizens.
* Flying hog monkey - Though also an exclamation, the singular version can be used to indicate a lack of intelligence and/or a misunderstanding on another person's part. It was used by Kavik to describe Yangchen's mistaken assumption that he was referring to the Unanimity project when he asked about how their mutual friends were doing.
* Fresh off the boat — A term used to describe recent arrivals from foreign nations who had yet to assimilate into a nation's culture and behavior.
* Gasbag — A word used to refer to someone who talks too much. Zuko described his uncle, Iroh, and an Order of the White Lotus member as such when they were talking to one another and Zuko could not discern the meaning of their conversation.
* Go eat coals — An expression of discontent or aggravation to another party.
* Gumflapper — A similar term to "gasbag", this word was used by Toph when referring to Bolin after he would not stop talking.
* Hoodlum — A pejorative term referring to someone who generally flouts the law. Korra referred to a waterbending member of the Triple Threat Triad as a hoodlum when she saw them extorting money from a shopkeeper. Hou-Ting used the same term to refer to the Red Lotus members when they barged into the throne room.
* Ice savages — A Fire Nation insult directed at Water Tribe members to call them primitive. Junho used the term to describe Sokka and Katara during their encounter outside the Earthen Fire Refinery.
* Jerkbending — A term used by Sokka and Tyro as a synonym for firebending to express their dislike for the bending art.
* Lily livers — An insult used by Toph on her metalbending students. It is the equivalent of "yellow-bellied", to be cowardly or scared.
* Little rat / little elephant-rat — An insult used to describe a short person.
* Little stoatweasel — An insult used to describe someone performing surrepetitious and deceitful actions.
* Loudmouth — An insult used by Toph to describe Sokka's openness about killing the Fire Lord during their visit to the Fire Nation fishing village, Jang Hui.
* Meat head — An insult used to imply someone's stupidity. It was used by Katara to refer to Aang and Sokka who wished to take the easy way out of a situation.
* Mud Puppet — An insult directed at earthbenders and used by Fire Nation citizens during the late Hundred Year War.
* Northie — A derogatory term that refers to citizens of the Northern Water Tribe. During the Water Tribe Civil War, Northie was used in Southern propaganda, such as in the Nuktuk theme song.
* Nut brained — An insult with the equivalent of "stupid". Katara used it while yelling at her brother.
* One trick poodle pony — A person or thing that is limited to a single skill. Bolin stated to Korra and Mako that Pabu was "not just a one trick poodle pony" after the latter chewed through the ropes tying up the Future Industries Fire Ferrets. It is the equivalent of "one trick pony".
* Prison rat — Insult directed at current or former prison inmates.
* Rinky-dink town — A term used by Sokka to refer to towns in need.
* Shut your airhole — The equivalent of "shut your mouth" or "shut up".
* Sniveling flunky — An insult Toph calls Satoru, referring to how he groveled to his uncle.
* Snow savages — A Fire Nation insult directed at Water Tribe members. It was used by Master Kunyo to describe Sokka in an official complaint.
* Weasel snake — A term used to refer to someone who is conniving and manipulative, often doing so with selfish motivations.
== Nicknames ==
* Colossus - A term for an unusually tall person. Tagaka used this to refer to Avatar Kyoshi during their confrontation at the South Pole.
* Crocokitten — A tease with a double-meaning, as crocokitten are both cute and cuddly, yet also strong and fierce. It was used by Sokka to tease Katara, and by some criminals to tease Jiang.
* Dancy Pants — A term used by Toph to refer to Aang's dancing.
* Earthiness — A term used by Aang to refer to Earth King Kuei. It is the equivalent of "majesty".
* Fieriness — A form of Earthiness used by Aang to refer to Fire Lord Zuko.
* Hothouse flower — A term for someone who is very fragile and vulnerable as a result of having been sheltered. Toph once expressed annoyance to her father for treating her like a hothouse flower.
* Hotman — A term for someone from the Fire Nation or the equivalent of "sir". Aang used this term to address strangers until he realized it was drawing attention, the generic term having become outdated by 100 AG. He later called Zuko "Sifu Hotman", much to the firebender's dismay. The variant "hotwoman" was also used for Rangi by Kirima in 296 BG.
* Kingliness — A term used by Sokka to refer to Earth King Kuei. Like earthiness, it is the equivalent of "majesty".
* Little Matchstick — A condescending term to refer to a firebender.
* Mate — A term used by pirates to refer to fellows, comrades, partners, or friends.
* Middler — A Water Tribe term for someone from the Earth Kingdom or Fire Nation, in the "middle" of the Northern Water Tribe and the Southern Water Tribe. Commonly used in the international shang cities in the wake of the Platinum Affair.
* Sifu — Ordinarily "teacher", an esteemed honorific. In Jonduri, it was used as an informal term of addressed, used in casual greetings.
* Snoozles — A term used to refer to someone who is either sleepy or still asleep. It was used by Toph to describe Sokka when he complained that her and Aang's earthbending training was depriving him of further sleep.
* Sugar Queen — Another slang term used by Toph. Depending on the tone in which it is said, its meaning varies from an insult to a term of endearment with a mildly mocking connotation. Usually it means "goodie-two-shoes" or "know it all".Avatar Extras for "The Chase" on Nicktoons Network. A variation is "sweetness", used by Toph to describe Katara.
* Sweet sugar cakes — Similar to the word "babe",Avatar Extras for "The Beach" on Nicktoons Network. it was used by Ty Lee to address Azula during Chan's party while teaching the princess how to get boys to like her.
* Twinkle Toes/Fancy Dancer — Terms used by Toph to describe Aang being light on his feet.
== Others ==
* A few plums short of a fruit pie — Similar to "crooked crown" and "loose in the leaf hat", implying someone is not very intelligent or of questionable mental capacity. Used by Momo in Aang's hallucination to describe him.
* A spider rat is most dangerous when it is cornered — Allegory for the tendency of people to battle harder when seeing no chance of escape.
* Bite us in the blubber — A term used to indicate that a specific action will have consequences later on, or the equivalent of "come back to haunt us". Sokka said this to Aang when the Avatar rudely told Joo Dee off.
* Black koala sheep - A nonconformist; someone rejected or disdained by others. Usually used in the context of someone being disfavored by their family.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Quickstart, Version 1.0, 2021, p. 43.
* Break the cooking pots - An expression used in Pai Sho and generalship, referring to the deliberate taking of a detrimental move in order to force a desired course of action from allies and/or enemies.
* Bust his [her] chops - A term for nagging someone (playfully or otherwise) about an issue they'd rather not discuss. Bumi mentioned in a letter to Korra that he tried not to bust Tenzin's chops too much.The Legend of Korra: An Avatar's Chronicle, page 14.
* Cover one's butt — An activity done by someone to protect themselves from penalties, criticism, or repercussions.
* Crazier than a sewer pipe elephant rat - Used when talking about someone who has done something crazy.
* Crooked crown — Used to imply that someone is mentally unbalanced. Upon meeting King Bumi for the first time and observing his unusual behaviors, Katara commented "Is it just me, or is this guy's crown a little crooked?"
* Don't get your dudou tangled - A phrase used to tell someone not to get upset or anxious.
* Don't go putting up statues just yet - A phrase used when mistakenly assuming good intentions in someone. 
* Eat like an ostrich horse - Used to refer to someone who eats ravenously or a lot of food.
* Elephant rhino in the room — Used to refer to an important issue, but one that people would rather not discuss. The equivalent of "elephant in the room".
* Fell off a truck — A euphemism for an item coming into someone's possession without being paid for, implying that it has been stolen or otherwise illegally acquired.
* Flamey-O — A term that has several definitions, depending on the context, including "hello", "goodbye", and "great". It was used by Aang while attending a Fire Nation school, much to the confusion and amusement of others. Used before the Hundred Year War, the term had fallen out of everyday use by 100 AG, but it eventually resurfaced, though by 171 AG, the meaning had changed to be that of a mild swear, used to convey surprise and shock.
* Fresh fish - A term used to describe new members of a group. 
* Glow it up — A phrase used to refer to going into the Avatar State.
* Goose monkey chase — A search that is completely unsuccessful and a waste of time.
* Have one's fingers in many pies — To be involved with many or too many different things.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Republic City, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 129.
* Have your bao and eat it too — Wanting to do or get two good things at the same time which are not possible to have together.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Starter Set, Adventure Booklet, pg. 6.
* Hullabaloo — A term used by Aang's music teacher at the Fire Nation school to refer to Aang's dancing while playing the tsungi horn.
* I'm here to kick butt and chew jennamite, and I'm all out of jennamite — Phrase to emphasize someone's readiness to inflict violence on others.
* Legit — Short for "legitimate".
* Like taking rock candy from a baby badgermole — Something very easy to do.
* Loose in the leaf hat — A variant of "crooked crown", implying that someone is mentally unbalanced. Used by Hakoda to describe the members of the Foggy Swamp Tribe.
* More meat for the grinder — Insultingly used to describe people who are facing death.
* No need to light a candle under my flying lantern — A phrase in response to unnecessary flattery.
* Oogies — A term equivalent to "yuck" or "gross". It was frequently used by Sokka in the events surrounding the Harmony Restoration Movement in reference to Aang and Katara's romance. Toph compared it to licking someone's hand.
* Out of the frying pan, into the fire — Moving from an already bad situation to a worse one.
* Out of your gourd — The equivalent of "out of your mind". Used by Toph to refer to Aang when he refused to deal a deadly blow to General Old Iron.
* Play hooky — To play truant.
* Polar bear doghouse — A term used to indicate someone is in trouble with another person, with the implication being that they must be forgiven in order to leave said place. It was used by Opal to tell Bolin that she had forgiven him after his involvement with Kuvira's army put a strain on their relationship.
* Put a sock in it — An idiomatic phrase used to tell someone to stop talking. In 171 AG, Bolin silenced an angry, ranting Zaheer by removing his sock and stuffing it into the airbender's mouth, after which he joked to onlookers about how he performed the phrase in a literal sense.
* Quiet as a lizard mouse — To be silent; without noise.
* Ready to pop — To be heavily pregnant and ready to give birth.
* Sitting turtle duck — The equivalent of being a "sitting duck". Bolin used this term to refer to Korra's flat-footed stance while teaching her the pro-bending style of earthbending.
* Sky-pointing needle — An Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation expression referring to a scale that had been balanced down to the motes of dust; a perfectly reciprocal transaction.
* Spidersnake swallowing its own tail — A metaphor for a cyclical loop that is often self-destructive.
* Spikier than a boar-q-pine — A comparison for someone being very tough.
* Stay flaming — The equivalent of "stay cool" in the Fire Nation. Used primarily before the Hundred Year War, it was outdated by 100 AG.
* Sneak around like an elephant rat — Negative allegory for someone stealthily moving.
* Thank the Earth King [Queen] — Used by Earth Kingdom citizens to show relief about something.
* Thank the spirits — Used to show relief about something.
* The crocokitten's got teeth — Variation of "crocokitten" to tease and half-mockingly emphasize someone's aggression or temper.
* The old hen — A jocular but disparaging term for one's wife.
* The spider cat's pyjamas — Something or someone excellent or highly sought-after.
* Toast — Someone or something that will soon be subject to harm, injury, or misfortune.
* Trick out your ride — To customize a motor vehicle.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Republic City, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 56.
* Wild flutter bat chase — A search that is completely unsuccessful and a waste of time.
* Working my arrow off — A phrase of Air Nomad origin, it refers to the airbending master tattoos and means to work hard; Aang used it to indicate to Sokka that he had been training very hard, and thus deserved some time off.
* Yip yip — A term equivalent to "go" or "giddy up". It is used to command a flying bison to fly.
* You catch more ant flies with honey than vinegar — An idiom, meaning that it is easier to persuade others with polite requests and a positive attitude rather than rude demands and negativity.
* You catch more spiderflies with sweet buns than you do with onion-banana juice — A variation on the above idiom; meaning it is easier to persuade others with polite requests than rude demands.
* You look like you swallowed a horse-bug — A query regarding an individual's nervous or atypical behavior.
*You movin' in on our prize egg, little gilacorns? — Metaphorical accusation that someone intends to steal something, referencing gilacorns' tendency to scavenge eggs and other food.
== Notes ==
== References ==
Category:A to Z
Category:World of Avatar