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L A W H A M M E R
LEXICON OF SLANG
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LAWHAMMER LEXICON OF SLANG
REIKSPIEL SLANG
A brief Study of informal Reikspiel in Sigmar’s Empire
Reikspiel is a living language, as dynamic and fluid as the deepest High Chorister Grumpert Dammen of the Light Order discusses
breaths of Manaan. Its speakers are both well-travelled and this in his essay ‘Today’s Slang, Tomorrow’s Reikspiel’. He claims
isolated, so the currents and eddies of its meaning constantly flow the word slang is derived from the Bjornling word slengja,
and stall, creating new words and repurposing the old. The result meaning to sling the jaw. He posits this Norscan loanword
is uncounted thousands of Reikspiel dialects existing across the migrated through the Wasteland into the Reikland many
Known World, many of which are mutually unintelligible to each centuries ago, and eventually evolved into Reikspiel’s slang. He
other. This can cause many problems for communication, the believes this makes it clear that key ‘proper Reikspiel’ words come
most famous example of which was faced by Emperor Magnus from sources outside the Empire, so ICCLE should widen its
the Pious before the Great War Against Chaos. acceptance of foreign loanwords, and of slang in general.
In 2501IC, Magnus the Pious toured the Reik Basin to rally an Professor Worter Herrenschen of Nuln University has an
army the size of which had not been seen since the Time of the alternative position. In his paper ‘On the Imperial Origins of
God-King. However, it was clear he could no more communicate Informal Language’, the professor claims the word slang comes
with the Heirs of Sigmar than he could with Tileans, Kislevites, from Strigany salanga, meaning secret language. He then uses this
or Elves! For all most folk he encountered claimed they spoke and other examples to show that the Emperor’s Reikspiel need
Reikspiel, he found he could not understand their version of the never draw upon loanwords when there is sufficient Empire
language, making communication a constant challenge. Magnus vernacular. He concludes: ‘Thus, the holy Language of Sigmar
swore to resolve this, and after the Great War ended, he founded can remain undiluted!’ Unfortunately, the professor is wrong with
the Imperial College of Linguists, Lexicographers, and his core assertion, for the word sallanga does not mean secret
Etymologists (ICCLE) in 2312 IC. He charged the new language. It means laughing alone, which is a common Strigany
institution to study, record, and standardise Reikspiel in his name, idiom for tricking a fool. It seems the good professor was duped.
using the ‘high speech of the Reik between Nuln and Altdorf’, the
spoken language of Magnus himself, as a baseline. He then Because of this, I decided to resolve this linguistic issue myself,
ordered all holy sermons and courts of law be conducted in his and can now confirm the origin of the word slang. Four centuries
new ‘Emperor’s Reikspiel’. ago, it started as the word slangu, derived from a Varg word
slaangu meaning shadow tongue. The word was used for a new
This modernisation of Reikspiel was widely unpopular at the time, secret language created by Altdorf’s criminal communities and, by
but Emperor Magnus would not be denied. He strongly enforced the the end of the 21st century, had evolved in pronunciation to
changes, and soon gained the support of both the Cults of Verena slanga, as was noted by a high priestess of Verena at the time.
and Sigmar, who swore to only preach in ‘proper Reikspiel’,
abandoning their traditional Classical, Khazalid, or High Unberogen. ‘How deliteful! The Criminals plaguen the Strassen have
This had wide-reaching implications, as Magnus himself noted when matured Their Slangu. Now, It is Slanga, ho, ho – and, lo, I
shall not miss-spake It lest They grow bitter! I must learn more
addressing the ICCLE near the end of his reign.
of this Schattenzunge, though the Stadt do call It the “Cant of
Secrets” for fear the Word Slangu brings Darkness.’
‘We have finally gathered the good folk of our Empire behind The Daybuch of Mutter Fibulia Grasch, 2193IC
the banner of unified speech. Now we can march forward as
one people in the name of Holy Sigmar, unified in purpose and The high priestess also noted that Slanga was used to obfuscate
unified in action because we are unified in language.’ clandestine business and send coded missives. To do this, the
Magnus the Pious
language contained many loanwords from Bretonnian, Tilean,
The Great Speeches of Magnus, ‘Third ICCLE Speech’, 2362IC
and Strigany. She claimed those peoples were marginalised in the
Today, after two centuries of linguistic standardisation, almost all city at the time, explaining their linguistic contributions.
people in the Empire can, to a degree, understand each other.
By the mid-2200s, Slanga words were so widespread that noted
Tracking this, the ICCLE codifies all Reikspiel words as either
poets and playwrights of the period used them to indicate knavery
‘The Emperor’s Reikspiel’ – formal Reikspiel – or ‘Reikspiel Slang’
or low-born pursuits. Thus, many Slanga words entered common
– informal Reikspiel. Formal Reikspiel is the proper language
use across the Empire. In the 2300s, the ICCLE then codified
taught by finishing schools, universities, and the cults. Informal
Slangu words as either ‘The Emperor’s Reikspiel’ or as ‘Slang’,
Reikspiel is spoken by everyone else.
according to their usage. Of course, this included the word slang
Because more people use slang than the Emperor’s Reikspiel, itself, which was used to describe all informal speech. Therefore,
recording slang words is considered by some scholars to be of I can state with confidence that the Emperor’s Reikspiel not only
great importance. However, others would prefer the common folk has some loanwords sourced from outside the Empire, it has many,
reject all slang and instead speak ‘proper’ Reikspiel at all times. including the word slang itself. I shall leave it up to the reader to
Of late, this has become a subject of some antagonism and debate decide whether that is for good or ill.
in linguistic circles. Ironically, at the heart of this debate is the
Professor Heinz Giegerich
word slang itself, because not only is the origin of the word
Altdorf University
obscure, but its potential origins also speak to the nature of which
2509 IC
words should be considered ‘proper’ and which shouldn’t.
1
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LAWHAMMER LEXICON OF SLANG
Slang words course from countless sources, forming vast seas of caused widespread outrage when published in 2267IC and was
language, with new words flowing into existence as old words are banned by the Cult of Sigmar for over two centuries, today the
washed away. This makes recording the many euphemisms, book is recognised for the monumentally important work that it
idioms, and slang words of Reikspiel seem a futile effort because is. Not only does it offer an extraordinary insight into Altdorf’s
these words are so prone to change through use. However, a history, but the language it recorded would be repeatedly
careful etymologist notes that the very process of recording these referenced for the next two and a half centuries, ensuring the
shifting words can calcify them, granting them a certain words it collected retained their use and relevance.
immunity to the eroding waves of time and linguistic drift.
Without Sister Fralina’s determination, diligence, and bravery,
As an example, consider the seminal Lingua Vulgaris Aldorfii by convenient phrases as ‘finished with piss’ or ‘farts in the fog’ would
Sister Fralina Gross, a forward-thinking nun of the Shallyan Ordo have been lost to us forever, as they would surely not have survived
Illustratio. The controversial dictionary is not only an essential the linguistic progression and evolution of our blessed language.
text for any study of vulgarity, it has also ensured some words and But, because of her painstaking work, those phrases and so many
phrases have endured long after they would normally have faded more were recorded and referenced for decades, guaranteeing
into obscurity. their use to this day. This is why, as an academic community, we
shall forever mourn Sister Fralina’s loss when she was compiling
Fortnightly, Sister Fralina took midnight walks through the her unpublished, and much needed, Vulgari Lingua Ogrus.
poorer quarters of Altdorf, eavesdropping in rookeries, gambling
halls, fighting pits, dockyards, brothels, and less salubrious The following list collects some of the most frequently
establishments. From these halls of the destitute and desperate, encountered slang words and phrases found across the Empire,
places also populated by immigrant communities from across the and all are widely understood. Caution should be considered
Known World, she unflinchingly recorded every colourful curse, before uttering the coarser examples, as local custom can lend
cuss, and blasphemy she encountered. greater significance to even the most innocent seeming of
obscenity. This is especially the case where blasphemy is
Later, when ensconced in her cloister, she compiled her lexicon concerned.
of vulgarity alongside detailed footnotes concerning the many
memorable characters she encountered. Although the volume
The following words and phrases are commonplace in the Empire.
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LAWHAMMER LEXICON OF SLANG
C E
Cack-handed. Clumsy. Eagles and women. (A common response to why did a war break
Suggests using the off-hand, the hand commonly used in the out, suggesting it was ‘religion and sex’.)
Empire to wipe yourself, or your ‘cack hand’. Chiefly used in Averland and Wissenland.
From Old Teutognen kakken dung + hand.
Even unto death. Common toast in Hochland.
Carpet knight. A knight dubbed by favour rather than for deed. Considered an insult to toast this before Talabeclanders.
So-called because the knight has taken the easy route and kneels
down on a carpet rather than hard stone. F
Cat’s pissing on me. I am having very bad luck. Family business. Trials and executions.
A reference to Ranald, the God of Fortune, who is often Common in the south of the Empire. References the Cult of
depicted as a cat. Verena, the Goddess of Justice’s, business.
Clawed intervention. Military attack. Fangs bared. Openly carrying weapons.
Chiefly used in Hochland, Middenland, and Nordland. Chiefly used in the north of the Empire. A reference to Ulric,
Recently, this has been repurposed as taloned intervention in the God of Winter and War’s, penchant to snarl when angered.
the Reikland, a reference to the emperor’s griffin, Deathclaw.
Favour. Ribbon bow.
Cross-hearted. Honourable. So-called for the ribbons granted to ladies by knights during
From the Imperial Cross, a symbol of honour in the Empire. jousts.
Crow husband/wife. Widower/widow. Farts in the fog. All talk, no action.
Chiefly used in Reikland.
Cursemark. 1) Pay Nothing; 2) Worthless.
In Talebecland, Ostermark, and Hochland, where the
‘Cursemark for that and naught more.’ I’ll pay nothing for phrase may have originated, it’s posed as Farts on ma sheaf
that. or Farts on ma horn, suggesting that the phrase’s target is
‘That haul’s cursemark.’ That haul’s worthless. only spreading bad air about the interlocutor’s sexual
From Old Unberogen kirsch+mark wild cherry + unit of organs, and that no real actual action is taking place.
weight. In Nordland, it’s instead phrased as Wind on ma balls.
In Ostland it’s shortened further to just Wind on balls.
Cut from Khaine’s cloth. A cold-hearted murderer.
Finished with piss. Stupid, ill-fashioned person.
D The phrase suggests a conception with urine, not semen.
Da. Yes. Flaming comet! (Exclamation of surprise.)
Chiefly used in the east of the Empire. From the twin-tailed comet symbol of Sigmar, which is said to
Dark Prince, The. Slaanesh, the Chaos God of Sensation and have heralded his birth.
Excess. Fought a wolf. Was beaten up by a ‘pack’ gathered to score
Although a common euphemism and not blasphemous, it is revenge for an earlier slight.
deeply frowned upon to utter the Dark Prince without need. Common in the north of the Empire.
This substitution is used by Sigmarites in their weekly throngs,
by academics, and by the courts of law, so is universally Freehold. A prime estate of the Empire, one that owes no duty
understood. or service to any but an Elector Count.
Dead as Morr’s cold cock. Quite dead.
Considered blasphemy in Ostermark.
G
Dove-eyed. 1) Can’t see anything bad in another; 2) Cross-eyed. Gelt. Gold coin
From the dove symbol of Shallya, the Goddess of Mercy. Myths Chiefly used in the north of the Empire.
claim Ranald, God of Trickery, stole immortality from Shallya From Old Reikspiel gelt gold.
because she could not see through his lies.
Gobhorn! 1) Useless person; 2) Someone that talks rubbish.
Drak-tongued. Prone to lying.
The phrase comes from ‘As useful as a Goblin’s horn.’ This is
Chiefly used in Hochland, Middenland, Nordland, and generally taken to mean, ‘All you’re useful for is pissing’.
Reikland.
Greencloak. Noble.
Dry-eyed. Merciless.
So-called for the green velvet cloaks worn by nobles at the
Chiefly used in Reikland and Wissenland. Refers to Shallya, Altdorf court.
Goddess of Mercy, who always cries.
Guilder. 1) Any coin with a high gold content; 2) Anything with
Dyrath’s tears. Menstrual blood. high value.
Chiefly used in the north of the Empire. So-called because So-called because the gold coinage of the Wasteland is called the
Dyrath, Goddess of Childbirth, is said to cry for each cycle that guilder and has a higher gold content than Empire coins.
passes without a child.
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LAWHAMMER LEXICON OF SLANG
H M
Handle. Moustache. Manaan’s feast. Storm.
Chiefly used in Nordland and Ostland.
Hanger. Scabbarded sword or long knife.
Of naval origin. Chiefly used Reikland and Nordland. Mark. Gold coin.
Has Shallya’s eyes. Can only see pain. Muck. Silver shilling.
Chiefly used in the south of the Empire. Chiefly used in rural Reikland, Stirland, and Talabecland.
Has Shallya’s hands. Is very kind. Morr’s platter. A battlefield.
Chiefly used in the south of the Empire. Chiefly used in Ostermark and Stirland.
Heart is empty. Tremendous suffering has occurred. Morr take you! Drop dead.
Chiefly used in the south of the Empire. Although seemingly innocuous to many, this is deeply
blasphemous in Ostermark, Stirland, and Talabecland.
He’d lay hands on Shallya. 1) He comments or explains things to
women in condescending, overconfident, and oversimplified Morr warmed up. 1) Pale; 2) Sickly.
ways; 2) He’d claim anything to touch a woman.
Myrmidia’s Togs. Naked.
Horn. Male genitals. So-called because many statues of Myrmidia are naked.
Originally from Talabecland, euphemistically using the
religious term ‘Taal’s Horns’ to represent male sexual organs. N
This term is universal and not considered particularly rude. Nay. No.
Hundsfott! A bad person. Chiefly used in the north and south-east of the Empire.
From Old High Reikspiel for dog’s cunt. Nei. No.
Hunting with Ulric. Slain. Chiefly used in the far north of the Empire.
Norscan deal. Agreed under the threat of violence.
I Chiefly used in Nordland and Ostland. Sometimes rephrased
In for a pfennig, in for a crown. You’ve started, so you may as well as wolf’s deal.
finish.
Nulner gentleman/lady. 1) Homosexual, commonly in reference
Originally from Ottilan Talabheim where it was said that to a noble; 2) Bisexual Chiefly Stirland and Wissenland.
those who fell in debt for a pfennig might as well accept they
will owe a gold crown once all taxes and penalties are applied. Nyet. No.
Chiefly used in Ostland and Ostermark.
J
Ja. Yes. O
Chiefly used in the north-west of the Empire. Oi, that’s my leg! That’s mine, not yours.
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LAWHAMMER LEXICON OF SLANG
Saved by Morr. Dead. So-called because those who take too many risks need appeal to
Shallya, Goddess of Mercy, to recover, and are also more likely
Shallya’s ale. Water. to die, thus meeting Shallya’s father, Morr, the God of Death.
There’s no living peeling apples! The task doesn’t pay well.
Shallya have mercy! (Appeal for the Goddess to protect you when
in a time of need.) Chiefly used in Hochland, Middenland, and Ostland. From
the meagre bounties offered for killing Greenskins in the
Shallya’s tits! (Exclamation of surprise.) Middle Mountains.
Shallya is considered to be particularly prudish, so this is Throwing leg. Going on a long journey.
considered blasphemous by most given it may attract Shallya’s Chiefly used in Hochland and Ostland.
wrath.
To the East. I have no idea where.
Sheaf. Female genitals.
Referencing the last sighting of Sigmar, which had him going
Originally from Talabecland, euphemistically using the east.
religious term ‘Sheafs of Rhya’ to represent female sexual
organs. This term is universal and not considered particularly Trolls in the pantry. Exceedingly messy and/or dirty when
rude. referring to a house. Suggests trolls have taken over the
Shrapnel. Brass or copper coins. foodstores. Compare to Snotlings in the cellar.
‘I visited, yes. She’s troll’s in the pantry, that one.’ I visited her,
Si. Yes. yes. Her house was exceedingly untidy and dirty.
Chiefly used in the south of the Empire. Ty Tor! (Exclamation of surprise.)
Chiefly used in Ostland and Ostermark.
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The so-called Thieves’ Tongue is a secret argot used by thieves, However one chooses to classify it, Thieves’ Tongue is an
beggars, rogues, and vagabonds of all kinds. Although most established form of communication in the Empire with a history
commonly used to hide the cozenings and knaveries of urban at least five centuries long. Called Slanga by its native speakers, it
criminals, it has become so widespread in the poorer districts of is founded on the many lower-class city dialects of Reikspiel, with
our great cities that it now considered a discrete Reikspiel dialect. primary influence from three other languages: Mootish, Strigany,
Indeed, some eminent linguists even claim it has become a full and Tilean. The following glossary provides a selected cross-
language in its own right, for all it lacks the political clout to section of the words and phrases used by Slanga, but it should in
enforce such a claim. no way be seen as exhaustive.
The following words and phrases are only known by those with Language (Thieves’ Tongue),
and may be understood by those with Etiquette (Criminals) with an Intelligence test.
A Blubbered. Fat.
Angler. A thief who uses a hooked stick to fish items from open Chiefly used in Nordland and the Wasteland.
windows. ‘You take the blubbered dog, I’ll handle this one’ You take the
fat Middenlander, I’ll handle this one.
Apple pie. 1) A clumsy thief; 2) An inexperienced thief; 3) Bobbed. 1) To cheat or trick; 2) To be upset at being cheated or
Someone unwelcome in the underworld. tricked.
apple apples on sticks are associated with children + pie
thief Bog Trotter. A Wastelander.
‘Look at that sweet apple pie!’ Look at that inexperienced
person who doesn’t belong here. Books. Playing cards.
‘It’s your turn to deal the books, pal.’ It’s your turn to deal the
B cards, my friend.
Bark. Threaten. Bootying. Purposefully losing, a common gambling tactic.
‘He’s playing booty.’ He’s purposefully losing.
Batty-fang. To harshly punish.
A corruption of Bretonnian batte de fin beat to the end. Brother. A pickpocket’s associate.
Typically, a brother receives stolen goods then flees the scene,
Bauer. A fool.
ensuring the pickpocket carries no incriminating evidence.
From Old Unberogen bauer farmer. From ‘Ranald’s Brother’, a popular tale from The Riddles Ten,
Benni. Good. a Ranaldan Holy Book.
From Tilean bene good. Buck. A husband.
Betray. Testify against in court. Bulk. Distract.
‘Cove done betrayed me!’ The dishonest man testified against
me in court. Bull. An Ostlander.
Bilk. A swindler or confidence artist. Bully. 1) A coward; 2) A person who pretends to be someone
Middenland/Nordland variant Bilker. different.
Bilking. To defraud or cheat. ‘The cove’s my Bullybuck’ The dishonest man pretends to be
my husband.
‘Cove done bilked me!’ That dishonest man cheated me!
Bullypie. A thief who encourages quarrels in order to rob both
Bird. A prisoner or convict.
parties when their attentions are elsewhere.
Black arts. Lock picking. bully a person who pretends to be someone else + pie thief
Chiefly used in Wissenland and Averland. Bunting. 1) Petticoats; 2) Skirts.
Black rose, the. The death sentence.
Burn. Extort.
Black roses are associated with Morr, the God of Death.
‘Nah, Ol’ Thom were given the black rose last year’ No, Old Butters the bacon. Pays very well.
Thom was given the death sentence last year.
By the blade. In the stocks or pillory.
Bleeding. Giving up money.
From myths claiming Verena, the Goddess of Justice, carries the
‘I’ve bled the cull already’ I have already taken the man’s ‘Sword of Judgement’ to threaten petty criminals, warning
money. them not to commit worse crimes.
Blind. Justice.
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LAWHAMMER LEXICON OF SLANG
Capper. A thief who steals hats and hoods. Cobble. Fix or repair.
Canter. 1) A liar; 2) Someone who knows Thieves’ Tongue. Cold Cut. A Cleric of Morr, God of Death.
Chip off the old block. Child that looks like the parent. Croaker. A person who always foretells doom, no matter how
positive the circumstances.
Chive. Knife.
Croaking. Dying.
Chopped. Good. ‘That bully croaked last year.’ That coward died last year.
From Altdorf rhyming slang: Chopped Wood—Good.
Cull. An honest man.
Chops. Face.
Cully. A target of crime.
Chum. A person you have shared a prison cell with.
Cup-shot. Drunk.
Clack. Tongue.
Curb. An angler’s hook.
Clacking. Talking.
Curber. An angler.
Clap. Any venereal disease.
Curls. Clippings shaved from coins, which typically curl.
Clank. 1) Brass pennies; 2) Nothing of worth.
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LAWHAMMER LEXICON OF SLANG
Dove. A fool.
D
From the holy symbol of Shallya, the Goddess of Mercy. Myths
Dabbling. Sexual intercourse. claim Ranald tricked immortality from Shallya, making her
‘the fool’.
Daddles. Hands.
Doxie. A dishonest woman.
Darker. A counterfeiter of documents, licences, and passes.
Dragpie. A thief who grabs goods from passing carts, wagons,
Daughter. A key. and coaches.
From an obsolete Cant term, ‘locksmith’s daughter’.
Drake. A woman who dresses as a man.
Dead water. A thieving job that yielded poor results.
Drakes often protect prostitutes who do not trust men to do the
Chiefly used in Reikland and the Wasteland. job in Altdorf, Carroburg, and Nuln.
Dehaglying. Throwing grit or sand in victims’ eyes before stealing During the reign of Empress Karl. Never.
from them.
The focus of this phrase has changed with each new emperor or
From Altdorf rhyming slang: Dehagli’s Fit—Grit; empress.
Dehagli is a God of Tailoring in many parts of the Empire.
‘Dehaglied three fat culls!’ I have successfully thrown grit in
the faces of three honest men, and stolen from them.
E
Ease. Kill.
Dehagli. 1) A thief who carries grit to aid thieving; 2) a thief who
‘Make it easy for the dove!’ Kill the fool!
pretends to assist Dehaglied victims, stealing from them as their
grit-throwing associate flees. Escapee. A chimney sweep.
So-called, as the sweep is said to have escaped from Morr’s
Dell. An honest woman. Realm, the afterlife of the God of Death.
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G J
Gaffer. A member of the Watch. Jade. Woman.
Chiefly used in Averland and Stirland.
Jenny. Tool to lift up grates.
From Strigany gavva ‘hide’. Not to be confused with Mootish
gaffah foreman.
Jigger. A whipping post.
Gagger. A rogue who spins tales of suffering to con well-meaning
Jilt. Prostitute.
folk.
Jilted. Tricked by a prostitute.
Gagging. 1) Lying; 2) Storytelling.
From Mootish gaggah talking. Jink. Gold crowns of dubious origin.
Garland. A judicial champion.
Jock. Intercourse.
From Altdorf rhyming slang: Garland Campion—Judicial
Champion. Garlands awarded in Reikland for success in
tourneys are often made from campion flowers.
K
Karls. Hands.
Grease up. Capital punishment of hanging.
From Altdorf rhyming slang: Karl-Franz—Hands.
Chiefly in Averland, Mootland, and Stirland.
Keeping it in the family. Fencing goods.
Groper. A money-lender, specifically a usurer.
Kitten. A child recently taken to thievery.
Groping. Lending money.
From Ranald, the God of Trickery’s, sacred animal, the cat.
Guild. A gang of criminals. Knuckles. Dice.
Gull. A very gullible person. Kushty. Very good.
Gullgroper. A usurer who lends to habitual gamblers. From Strigany kushtipen very good.
H L
Ladybird. Women who use their femininity to con others.
Hammer. A Sigmarite.
Lamb Pie. Thief who beats up weak targets to steal their goods.
Hanger. Purse.
Land Pirate. Highwayman.
Haymaker. A usurer who lends money to prisoners so they can
make bail, and often charges extortionate rates of interest. Lattice Pie. A burglar who pretends to be a lamp lighter, granting
the right to carry a ladder in order to reach high windows.
Hen. A man who dresses as a woman.
Library. A deck of cards.
High Tide. Indicates a potential target’s pockets are overflowing
with wealth. Lifter. A thief who steals from shops and markets.
Chiefly used in Nordland, Reikland, and the Wasteland.
Lifting. Stealing from a shop or market.
Highpad. A Highwayman; a mounted robber who steals from
travellers. Lily pad. A thief who steals from moored boats.
Hot. 1) Gained much attention; 2) Difficult. Livestock. Lice, fleas, and similar parasites.
Hunter. A Hochlander. Lord of the Narrow Sea. A drunkard who urinates under a table
on the shoes of those sitting opposite.
I Low tide. Indicates someone with empty pockets and purses.
Imperial Wedding. A marriage between a prostitute and a Chiefly used in Nordland, Reikland, and the Wasteland.
hardened criminal.
Lumber. Stolen goods.
Ivories. Teeth.
Lumber yard. A safe house, typically used to store stolen goods.
Ivory Box. Mouth.
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LAWHAMMER LEXICON OF SLANG
M O
Magpie. Someone trying too hard to look like a rogue; often used Ogles. Eyes.
in reference to an outsider.
Old horn. Husband.
From Ranald’s sacred animal, the magpie.
‘Nah, just a pair o’ magpie!’ No, it’s just two people Old sheaf. Wife.
pretending to be rogues.
Otter. Thief who steals from barges.
Maiden’s. 1) Darkness; 2) Night-time.
From the largely obsolete phrase ‘Maiden Time’, which refers Owler. 1) A judge; 2) A Cleric of Verena.
to a time where all can see as well as the Blind Maiden, who is From Venera, the Goddess of Justice’s, sacred animal, the owl.
a symbol for Verena, Goddess of Justice.
Owl shunter. A member of the Watch, often shortened to just
Maiden’s bluff. The act of hiding in a house during the day, so it
Shunter.
can be opened at night to let in other burglars.
Chiefly used in Nuln.
Marine Officer. A useless person.
Chiefly used in Altdorf and Nordland. So-called because P
Reiklander Naval Officers are widely claimed to be useless by Pa Bloater. The Lord of Plagues, Chaos God of Disease and
most seaman. Despair.
Mastiff. 1) A bailiff; 2) Someone working for a bailiff.
Pad. 1) A road; 2) A robber; a thief who steals from travellers.
Miller. Murderer.
Pain. Concern.
Milling. 1) Breaking someone free from jail; 2) Stealing; 3) ‘Nah, don’t pain me.’ No, that doesn’t concern me.
Killing. Pal. A friend.
Milling Tilean. A pit fighter. From Strigany pral brother.
Parade. A horse.
Miner. A lock picker.
Parader. A thief who cuts bags from passing horses.
Mining. Lock picking.
Peeking. Being on guard duty.
Mineshaft. 1) A building to be entered by lock picking; 2) a
criminal job centred around lock-picking Peeper. Magnifying glass; 2) Telescope.
Morr’s Fayre. A public execution. Pincher. A thief who palms money when counting it to another,
stealing a proportion.
Moveables. Rings, brooches, bangles, and similar, easily removed
jewellery. Plaster. Owed money.
See Plastering.
Mullered. Very drunk.
From Strigany mullerd murdered. Plastering. Paying money that is owed.
So-called because walls are often used to hide coins, which must
N be broken then replastered after larger debts are paid.
Nark. An informer to the Watch. Plum Pie. A female-presenting thief who employs femininity to
From Strigany nakki nose. steal from others.
Nice. Squeamish. Pot. Head.
Nightwalker. Thief. Prig. Steal.
Noddle. Head. Prince, the. Ranald, God of Trickery.
Norser. A Nordlander. From Ranald’s sobriquet, ‘The Prince of Cats’.
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LAWHAMMER LEXICON OF SLANG
Rhya’s Plea. A claim of pregnancy by a woman convicted of a Silver Laced. Infested with lice.
capital crime.
Sixer. A usurer.
Some courts, especially Verenean courts, will not punish an
So-called, as any charge of over five in a hundred is viewed by
unborn child for a mother’s misdeeds.
most as criminal.
Rigging. 1) Conning (Chiefly used in the Wasteland); 2) Clothes.
Skimming. Embezzling.
Ripe. Ready.
Skimmer. An embezzler.
Rook. A thief; 2) A cheat.
Skuller. An Altdorfer.
Round-dealing. Honest dealing. From one of the city’s heraldic devices.
S Smudger. Shallya.
Sack. Pocket. So-called because the Goddess’s eternal tears would cause her
paint to run.
Saucy. Impudent.
Snoot. 1) A Highwayman that only robs from the rich, and treats
Sausage. A cleric or templar of Sigmarite. victims with courtesy; 2) A fanciful claim, unlikely to be true.
Savings. Lawyers. Snudge. A burglar who hides under a bed with the intent of
From Altdorf rhyming slang: Savings Sawyer—Lawyer. robbing a house later.
Sell a Cat. Lie. Stop temple. The main hideout of a gang of criminals.
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LAWHAMMER LEXICON OF SLANG
T U
Tab. Young man. Unrig. Strip clothes.
Top. Strike someone on the head. With A rose. With an expectation of privacy.
Roses, the sacred flower of Morr, are often arranged on tables
Topper. An executioner.
when a meeting is solemn and private, and none should discuss
Totter. A bonepicker or rag-and-bone seller. its details with others. The roses are often chosen for their
closeness to gang colours.
From Strigany totter seller of waste items.
Totting. Selling rag and bone. Wonga. Coins or wealth.
From Strigany tottin selling waste items. From Strigany vonga coal.
Tuppence. Clerics and templars of Morr, the God of Death. Wordpecker. Verenean.
So-called because of Morrian traditions where coins are placed
Written out. Arrested
over a corpse’s eyes.
‘The totter were written out last week.’ The bone-picker was
Tusker. Talabheimer. arrested last week.
From the myths that Taal, the God of Wild Places, often
appeared as a Boar. Y
Twitcher. A thief who hovers near alley entrances whipping Yellow-boy. Gold coin.
cloaks from passers’ backs.
Yoked. Married.
Chiefly used in Talabheim.
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LAWHAMMER LEXICON OF SLANG
GENTEEL BANTER
Or the gentle chaffing of correct Reikspiel.
The Emperor’s Reikspiel may be codified by the dusty scholars of Similarly, euphemisms are also generally avoided by the nobility.
the ICCLE, but it has not been so tightly constrained by This is because idiomatic use of Reikspiel is considered to be
grammatical rules, strict units, and immutable orders that it can’t antagonistic to clear speaking. So, saying I’m sorry to hear Johanna
be repurposed as needed. However, for all its eclectic utility, few passed through the Portal is, to most nobles, quite unacceptable.
brandish Reikspiel with much skill, preferring to hammer words Instead, they would prefer the plainer, I am sorry to hear that
home with naught but utility in mind. Standing separate from Johanna has died.
this, a blessed few, perhaps touched by Verena herself, wield
language like it were the Sword of Judgement itself, cutting deep Standing contrary to this preference to avoid improper language,
with wit and charm where others stumble and fall. there is also a widely used slang spoken almost exclusively by the
upper classes. Given the light-hearted name banter, but more
Nowhere is this more in evidence than the great courts of the formally known as chaffing, this informal noble repartee is either
Empire. There, deft control of the Emperor’s Reikspiel is not just deployed in a self-mocking fashion by the older generations, or
preferred, it is required. Those who ply their trade in the courts, more commonly used in a gently rebellious manner by noble-born
most notably luminaries of the noble Houses of Sigmar’s Empire, youths, many of whom have claimed and recycled the words of
have become true experts of the Emperor’s Reikspiel. their elders for their own purposes. Given many nobles are
classically educated, it should come as no surprise that noble
However, it should be noted that the Emperor’s Reikspiel, the banter also includes many loan words and older phrases,
language accepted as ‘proper’ and not ‘slang’, is not exactly the something that causes traditionalist factions of the ICCLE to
same as the high Reikspiel spoken at court. Many upper-class throw their arms up in horror.
words are used somewhat differently to the Emperor’s Reikspiel,
or not even used at all. Indeed, to sound ‘noble’, you have to be As an example of how noble banter expresses, the following
just as careful about the words you do not use just as much as the selected lexicon provides a list of some of the more common
words you do. phrases and words encountered when stalking the courts of the
Empire. The correct use of these words and phrases marks one
For example, the nobility rarely use the word meal to mean food out as being correctly educated or perhaps even noble, but be very
served to be eaten. Nobles may eat breakfast, luncheon, or dinner, careful not to use them incorrectly.
but they never eat a meal. Meal, they claim, is for chickens and
peasants, not for them.
The following words and phrases are commonly known by those with Etiquette (Nobles), and can be understood with an Int Test.
Entries marked as informal are not strictly the Emperor’s Reikspiel, and likely draw frowns from the older generations.
Balls, The. The 20 formal balls held in the Altdorf from the Blow. Informal Damn.
beginning of Nachhexen to the end of Jahrdrung. ‘Blow him, I’ve no interest in his lies.’ Damn him, I have no
interest in his lies.
Bally. Informal Bloody; 2) Damned.
Blue End. Informal 1) Arse; 2) The rear.
Considered blasphemous by the more educated in the Cult of
‘Bally man took it in the blue end!’ Damned warship took a
Sigmar as the word refers to the Blood God, but usage is
hit to its rear!
nevertheless widespread.
Brims, The. Informal Restlessness
Bate. Mood.
‘You have the brims about you!’ You are restless or otherwise
‘No need to fly into a bate, darling.’ No need to be moody,
gadding about.
darling.
Battles. Rations. A ‘brim’ is a gadfly. When they alight upon the tail of an
animal, the creature becomes wild or restless.
So-called for the limited foodstuffs Altdorf University allows.
A corruption of the verb batten, to feed. By Cracky. Informal [Exclamation for emphasis or surprise]
Beastly. Unpleasant. ‘By Cracky, what a fine day!’ This is a particularly fine day.
Bind. A problematic situation. Considered blasphemous by the more educated in the Cult of
Sigmar as the term supposedly calls upon the Lord of Change,
but usage is nevertheless widespread.
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LAWHAMMER LEXICON OF SLANG
C H
Catch-fart. Informal. 1) A footman; 2) A servant. Huzzah! 1) [Expression of approval]; 2 [Expression of joy.]
Chiefly Reikland, Nordland, and Ostland.
Chaffing. 1) To use noble banter; 2) To mock or tease in a good-
Originally from the Old Reikspiel sailor’s cry hissen to hoist.
natured fashion; 3) To waste time by talking nonsense.
‘They chaffed all morning.’ They wasted their time talking I
nonsense all morning.
I say. 1) [Phrase used for emphasis]; 2) [An expression of
Chimneypiece. Mantlepiece. surprise].
‘I say, my good man, take my velvet, won’t you.’ This is
Chin-chin. Informal 1) A polite speech; 2) A light-hearted
important, my good man: take my cloak.
conversation; 3) To make a speech; 4) To converse light-
heartedly; 5) (A toast to someone’s health); 6) (A greeting or J
farewell).
Jollies. Informal Sexual thrills.
From Cathayan qǐng-qǐng please-please.
‘Did you not hear about it, darling? Why, she gets her jollies
Confirmed bachelor. A noble man who it is known does not wish from the ‘Doll-ups’! Did you not hear about it, my friend?
to marry. Why, she gets her thrills from watching Halfling strip
shows!
Comets. Informal. To do something in pairs.
Jolly. Very.
‘Come along now: walk in comets, children!’ Come along
now: walk in pairs, children. ‘Well, I say, isn’t that jolly good!’ Well, this is important: this
is very good!
D L
Daily. A servant that does not live on-premises.
Lickspittle. Informal 1) Derogatory term for a subordinate of any
Darling. 1) [a familiar term of address]; 2) Informal Cute, kind; 2) A servile flatterer or toady; 3) A contemptible, fawning
charming, or delightful. person.
‘What a darling child!’ What a delightful child. ‘Well, just give it to my lickspittle, won’t you.’ Well, just give
it to my handmaid, won’t you.
Deb. Informal A young, inexperienced woman.
Contraction of Bretonnian débutante female beginner. M
Deb’s delight. Informal An attractive, unmarried man. Man. Informal 1) A first-rate vessel; 2) A man-o’-war. 3) Any
ship with cannons.
Débutante. A young woman of noble birth who is presented to
Chiefly Reikland, Nordland, and Ostland.
court at the beginning of the Social Season when of marriable Originally from the Imperial Navy.
age.
Midder. Informal Middenball, a popular sport of the Empire.
Dinner. An evening meal. ‘Anyone up for a game of Midder?’ Would anyone like to play
Dinner is never an afternoon meal. a game of Middenball?
Dishy. 1) Good looking; 2) Attractive. Miffed. Mildly upset.
He’s dishy, but a confirmed bachelor. He’s attractive, but does ‘Rather miffed that Ilse didn’t drop by.’ I’m mildly upset that
not wish to marry. Ilse didn’t visit.
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LAWHAMMER LEXICON OF SLANG
Social Season. The annual period, usually from the end of winter
P to midsummer, when the noble houses hold important social
Pantry politics. Servant talk. events including balls, dinner parties, charity events, and sporting
Pettifogger. Informal. Disreputable lawyer. displays. Typically, during Social Season many nobles take
residence in their local capital to socialise and engage in politics.
From Bretonnian petit small + Old High Reikspiel fogger
lawyer. Informal Also known as just The Season.
Poorly hung. Informal. Dressed inappropriately. Squiffy. Informal A superior of any kind
Stems from a painting hung with light depicted falling in one Corruption of Skew-whiff.
direction while the natural light comes from another, which is So-called because the higher the rank, the more likely it is the
considered bad form. individual will be drunk.
Smart. 1) Good taste; 2) Appears noble and sophisticated. Wag off. 1) Avoid duties; 2) Skive.
‘I’m afraid to say that bally merchant is rather smart!’ I must
Wastelander dues. Informal A payment that will never be
admit that the damned merchant has good taste and
reclaimed.
appears noble!
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LAWHAMMER LEXICON OF SLANG
COMING SOON
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