How to Speak Proper

As a rule of thumb, we equate "correct" New Europan vocabulary with "Victorian English". It is also appropriate to pepper the character's speech with equivalent expressions from another language if s/he is not actually British. The list shows the "proper" Falkensteinian usage versus the modern-day American equivalent.

Please see at the bottom for sources and copyright information.

'Le Dejeuner des canotiers', by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Astounding!: Awesome!

Biscuits: Cookies.
Bobby: Policeman, cop (England).
Bounder: SOB, bastard, thoroughly wicked man. See "cad".
Braces: Suspenders.
By Gad!: Moderate oath; euphemism for "By God!"
By God!: Strong oath, not uttered in front of ladies and clergymen.
By Jove!: Moderate oath; euphemism for "By God!"
By Jupiter!: Moderate oath; euphemism for "By God!"

Cad: SOB, bastard, thoroughly wicked man. See "bounder".
Cashiered: Fired, canned, sacked.
Chap: This is the best, general term to cover males, slightly less formal then "fellow".
Constable: Policeman (England).

Demoiselle: Girl (French).
Dame: Woman, lady (French). Pronounced "dam".
Dastardly: Bad, sneaky, unworthy.

Fellow: Slightly patronizing or formal form of address ("My dear fellow").
Fiendish: Bad, sneaky, unworthy.
First floor: Second floor.
Flat: Apartment.
Fraulein: Miss, girl (Germanic).

Gendarme: Policeman (France).
Great Scott: Moderate oath.
Ground floor: First floor.
Guard: Policeman (Bayern, Prussia, etc.)

Holiday: Vacation.

I say!: Hey, there!

Knickers: Underpants.
Knickerbockers: Knickers.

Lady: Woman, girl.

Mademoiselle: Miss.
Madame: Mrs., My Lady (French).
Mein Gott!: Strong expletive (Germanic). (="My God!")
Merde!: Unladylike French expletive (="Shit!")
Metro: Subway (France).

Not at liberty: I can't.

Outrage: Another word which cannot be overused; "it's an outrage, sir!" is a standard comment on anything which gives one displeasure.

Pavement: Sidewalk.

Rogue: SOB, bastard.
Rooms: Apartment.
Rum do: A strange happening, something out of the ordinary, puzzling. [Note: I'm not sure that this is appropriate for upper class characters.]

Sacrebleu!: Moderate oath (French); euphemism for "Sacredieu" ("Holy God!").
Sacredieu!: Strong oath (French), not uttered in front of ladies and clergymen (="Holy God!").
Shan't: Can't.
Shouldn't: Wouldn't.
Solicitor: Lawyer.
Slain: Killed, "wasted".
Sound thrashing (to give a): Beat up.
Suspenders: Garters.

Trousers: Pants.

Underground: Subway (England).

Vest: Undershirt.

Waistcoat: Vest.

Sources and Copyright Information:

Much of this material comes from the glossary included in For Faerie, Queen, & Country, by David Cook, Carl Sargent and Karen Boomgarden, the first Amazing Engine "universe book" from TSR, Inc. (1993). My other main source is the short section in Castle Falkentstein, by Michael Pondsmith and William Eaken, from R. Talsorian Games, Inc. (1994). I also made some editorial changes where French was concerned.

The picture is Pierre-Auguste Renoir's "Déjeuner des Canotiers" and comes from Auguste Renoir - The Gallery , a site worth visiting both for the wealth of Renoir paintings it offers and the beautiful way it is laid out.

Return to The Salon
Return to Castle Falkenstein Main Page
Questions or comments? Write the Host.