This is going to sound nitpicky, but I've seen it happen so many times that I'm going to go stir-crazy if it continues. I'm not going to punish anyone for it, and really, if you want to continue, by all means, feel free. This post is more or less explanatory and informative, and doesn't really seek to convince anyone to stop doing what they do best.

That said, here is a list of words that are not actually words, and some synonyms that you can/should use instead.

Fea - People use this as a substitute for a female wolf. I'm not sure why it got started, but it's not a word. I've looking in numerous dictionaries and have yet to find it. Also, I have never seen it on any other wolf boards, so I'm not sure who used it first, but a couple of good synonyms are: she-wolf, femme, and (the old standby) female.

Brute - Okay, so this one really is a word, but when used as a replacement for a male wolf, just sounds rude. Definitively, a brute is a rude or uncivilized person. Yes, I know we are technically uncivilized, but we shouldn't have to insult each other to show it. Good synonyms for brute: he-wolf, wolf, and (another standby) male.

Optics, Audits, Auds, Ops, and various other 'fancy' replacements - These words mean eyes and ears. They are longer and more obscure than 'eyes' and 'ears,' and in truth, are more annoying to read. On every other board I have played at, people using the words 'optics,' 'orbs,' and 'opticals' were actually looked down upon for the simple fact that to some of the more experienced players, they appeared to be covering up an inability to post or a limited vocabulary by using archaic and overelaborate words whenever they got a chance. I'm not saying that all of you have these issues, I'm simply saying that that's what it looks like, and that experienced players who come and read some of these posts might be turned off slightly by the profusion of these little decorative words. Just use eyes and ears. Wolves do not possess opticals or auditories. They wield eyes, ears, and a nose. The importance of the post is not the impressiveness of the words used, but instead the content of the story being told.

I know all this sounds like the whiny bitching of an irked English major, but in all honesty, I think it will be easier for some people to read and appreciate the realism of the board if we use simpler and more commonly understood words.

~Silvra

I do think what you have said is fair and all but i have to say that some of the words like Fae a lot of people use (including myself) and i have seen it on a few other boards. I think maybe people should limit their use of them but this is just my opinion so you know...don't need to take it seriously!!!

Well, you know, like I said, anyone who wants to continue to use those words, feel free to do so. I feel no ill will towards you for doing so. However, I simply meant to inform, in case anyone was confused.

*laughs* I'm victim to all of those little mistakes, but I personally like them. It gets very painful to write (and read) eyes....eyes....eyes....ears....ears...
I like to add little things, like optics, pools, orbs, auds, etc. Only I don't like to go over the top with it, and have TONS of them. Only when nessisary, so as not to repeat myself to often.
And I learned the word 'Fae' AAAAGES back. Lol.

lol. I agree Reve.. I like using the words though, and almost everywhere I've roleplayed at, they've been used. It's how I've always roleplayed really.. with wolves at least. I find them to sound neater than those boring words like.. ears, eyes, ect.. maybe it's just me though.

I use most of them too... except for pillars. They make me think of architecture, which has nothing to do with wolves!! :P

Heheheh, you think those are bad? Perhaps I should dig out my wordlist. I'll give you a small taster of some of the so-called lupine words that some roleplayers use!

I myself am guilty of using some of those terms. Only a few minutes ago, in Bane's most recent post, I described her ears as 'auds'. I sometimes use 'optics' but more often than not I try to stay away from the slightly more obscure words! If I'm describing a male or female wolf, I'll often just use 'male' (though I did use 'varg' in one post, and I have had Tarquin describe a Skah male as a 'brute') or 'female', though I have used 'femme'.

I personally don't have a problem with it. It used to really bug me when I first started roleplaying, but I guess I 'picked up the lingo'! I can understand your point, however, Silvra, it was really annoying for me a short while ago!

Anyway, I think you should see my lovely wordlist - I picked these up from a wolf roleplaying website but I can't remember which one. Some of these will make you laugh, I think. I particularly like 'Twin Zeniths' for the ears - zenith means 'peak' if you didn't know! I'm not quite sure about 'hock kisser' for the tail though...

I have loads more if anyone's interested! Some of the 'colour' words are lovely though, they don't sound silly like the 'body part' and 'wolf' words... I mean... shrew and doe for a female wolf!? Gah!

Rotfl! :lol: Those are great!

Those were mainly all the silly ones, but some of the colour words are lovely. :) Some of them are a bit weird... but most of them make sense. I think I can see myself using this list as a reference for some colours so perhaps others would like it for reference too:

oh my gosh ahhahaah!!!! I had a good laugh at those and the person at the comp. next to me was staring at me like i was mad!

Lol some of those were a bit like :blink: hehe

Heh heh! Dude, some of those are kindof funny!