The Rumor Mill - Week 51

Slang fills our list for week 51 of The Rumor Mill. From swapping insults between water-breathers and air-breathers to dozens of names for a rich fool, we cover a cross-section of everyday terms you might hear in Fellport that mean something other than the strict definition given by sages. Like most slang, many of these terms grew from backhanded "compliments", reductive summaries, or dismissive language, all meant to end conversation or start fights.

So let's dive into this week's list. Rest assured, there's no shortage of language flying around the streets of Fellport, so maybe we'll finish the #Lore24 year with a second week of slang after this.

1d8	Rumor	True?
1	"On the Row" refers to someone who tries too hard to look rich or important.	Yes1
2	Sailors know someone wearing heavy armor is a "Sinker" when on board ship.	Maybe2
3	Urchins popularized "Golden Lamb" when referring to clueless rich tourists.	No3
4	Fellport Watchfolk don't like collaborating with "Smarties" in the Caps.	Maybe4
5	"Fin" is derogatory dockside slang for Nelendi and other water-breathing people.	Yes5
6	Most residents use "Above" and "Below" to refer to others not on their level.	Maybe6
7	Everyone uses "Ramp Runners" as another name for Fellport Watchfolk.	No7
8	"Spellsword" describes a mercenary spellcaster, especially with martial training.	Yes8

1 - I've also heard "Row Baby" when they get upset on being called out about it. Refers to Topside Row or Diplomat's Row.
2 - Someone who can afford heavy armor usually have the sway to order sailors overboard, so most sailors say it softly now.
3 - That's too much of a mouthful. Many terms exist, changing frequently, like Mark, Tip, Wide-eye, Daddy, or Retirement.
4 - Most don't mind the help investigating and solving crimes, but the "Smarties" moniker stuck once people heard it.
5 - See also Webfoot, Gilly, and Swimmer. Nelendi call air-breathers similar lovely terms like Bait, Gasbag, and Floater.
6 - Mostly Topside Row residents use "Below" to refer to other city dwellers. Only petty people are that status-conscious.
7 - Many Ramp Runners are Watchfolk, but many others run the ramps for fun and to keep in shape. It's an unofficial club.
8 - Spellsword is one of those words you either love or hate. Most Eldritch Knights think it cheapens their whole skillset.

Part of T.W.Wombat's Lore 24 project, detailing the world around Fellport.
For all city posts, see the Fellport Index. For posts about the wider world, see the Beneterra Index.