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What is this word supposed to be?



Unicorn Meta Zoo #1: Why another podcast?
Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara
Favorite questions and answers from first quarter of 2019
Latest Blog Post: FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention (Spring 2019)Is Nugganism supposed to be an allegory for Scientology?What is this reference in wyrd sisters?What did Darren Cross mean with “Word travels fast”What is this Norwegian shouting?Can someone explain this phrase about gambling stones?What happens to the baby worldturtles?Why did Death help set Ankh-Morpork on fire?What does this line mean in the Watchmen movie?What does this phrase from Ursula Le Guin's book “The Lathe of Heaven” mean?What does this joke mean in “Get Schwifty”?



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16















In The Colour of Magic, on page 46 of my copy, Twoflower says this word:




Reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits?




It seems to be like “in-sewer-ants-policy”, i.e. a term that they don’t have a word for in the language (“insurance policy”), but I can’t figure out what it’d be.



I asked two people who couldn’t figure it out, either.










share|improve this question






















  • I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?

    – Ash
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    Maybe provide a bit more context for this?

    – JMac
    1 hour ago











  • @JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.

    – Valorum
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    @Valorum I had read this part of the book and couldn't remember what it was referring to without seeing the answers. It seems strange to me. Does Twoflowers actually say "Reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits?" (doesn't seem right) or was that something Rincewind was thinking after Twoflowers tries to explain to him what he does?

    – JMac
    1 hour ago

















16















In The Colour of Magic, on page 46 of my copy, Twoflower says this word:




Reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits?




It seems to be like “in-sewer-ants-policy”, i.e. a term that they don’t have a word for in the language (“insurance policy”), but I can’t figure out what it’d be.



I asked two people who couldn’t figure it out, either.










share|improve this question






















  • I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?

    – Ash
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    Maybe provide a bit more context for this?

    – JMac
    1 hour ago











  • @JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.

    – Valorum
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    @Valorum I had read this part of the book and couldn't remember what it was referring to without seeing the answers. It seems strange to me. Does Twoflowers actually say "Reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits?" (doesn't seem right) or was that something Rincewind was thinking after Twoflowers tries to explain to him what he does?

    – JMac
    1 hour ago













16












16








16








In The Colour of Magic, on page 46 of my copy, Twoflower says this word:




Reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits?




It seems to be like “in-sewer-ants-policy”, i.e. a term that they don’t have a word for in the language (“insurance policy”), but I can’t figure out what it’d be.



I asked two people who couldn’t figure it out, either.










share|improve this question














In The Colour of Magic, on page 46 of my copy, Twoflower says this word:




Reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits?




It seems to be like “in-sewer-ants-policy”, i.e. a term that they don’t have a word for in the language (“insurance policy”), but I can’t figure out what it’d be.



I asked two people who couldn’t figure it out, either.







discworld language-explanation






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked 1 hour ago









StormblessedStormblessed

2,80211043




2,80211043












  • I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?

    – Ash
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    Maybe provide a bit more context for this?

    – JMac
    1 hour ago











  • @JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.

    – Valorum
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    @Valorum I had read this part of the book and couldn't remember what it was referring to without seeing the answers. It seems strange to me. Does Twoflowers actually say "Reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits?" (doesn't seem right) or was that something Rincewind was thinking after Twoflowers tries to explain to him what he does?

    – JMac
    1 hour ago

















  • I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?

    – Ash
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    Maybe provide a bit more context for this?

    – JMac
    1 hour ago











  • @JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.

    – Valorum
    1 hour ago






  • 1





    @Valorum I had read this part of the book and couldn't remember what it was referring to without seeing the answers. It seems strange to me. Does Twoflowers actually say "Reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits?" (doesn't seem right) or was that something Rincewind was thinking after Twoflowers tries to explain to him what he does?

    – JMac
    1 hour ago
















I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?

– Ash
1 hour ago





I can't even figure out what you're saying, what exactly is the question?

– Ash
1 hour ago




1




1





Maybe provide a bit more context for this?

– JMac
1 hour ago





Maybe provide a bit more context for this?

– JMac
1 hour ago













@JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.

– Valorum
1 hour ago





@JMac - Additional context isn't really needed when you've read the book.

– Valorum
1 hour ago




1




1





@Valorum I had read this part of the book and couldn't remember what it was referring to without seeing the answers. It seems strange to me. Does Twoflowers actually say "Reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits?" (doesn't seem right) or was that something Rincewind was thinking after Twoflowers tries to explain to him what he does?

– JMac
1 hour ago





@Valorum I had read this part of the book and couldn't remember what it was referring to without seeing the answers. It seems strange to me. Does Twoflowers actually say "Reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits?" (doesn't seem right) or was that something Rincewind was thinking after Twoflowers tries to explain to him what he does?

– JMac
1 hour ago










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















26














The word is "echo-gnomics" ("economics")



An echo is a reflected sound; gnomes live underground.



Etymologically, "gnomes" [mythology] are described as "a legendary race of human-like beings, usually imagined as short and possibly bearded males, who inhabit the inner parts of the earth and act as guardians of mines, mineral treasure, etc." (Source: wiktionary)



Apparently I've played too much D&D where gnomes aren't specifically tied to the underground.






share|improve this answer




















  • 1





    And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!

    – ruakh
    1 hour ago


















18














Rincewind tries his hand at a better translation later in the book.




Bloody hell, he thought. He’s alive! Me too. Who’d have thought it? Perhaps there is something in this reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits? It was a cumbersome phrase. Rincewind tried to get his tongue around the thick syllables that were the word in Twoflower’s own language.

“Ecolirix?” he tried. “Ecro-gnothics? Echo-gnomics?”

That would do. That sounded about right.




As with 'insurance', the concept of 'economics' (a reflected sound is an echo, underground spirits are gnomes) is largely unheard of in that part of the disc. Rincewind describes it as 'financial wizardry'




“Well, my point is, you see, that gold also has its sort of magical field. Sort of financial wizardry. Echo-gnomics.” Rincewind giggled.







share|improve this answer

























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    2 Answers
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    2 Answers
    2






    active

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    active

    oldest

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    active

    oldest

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    26














    The word is "echo-gnomics" ("economics")



    An echo is a reflected sound; gnomes live underground.



    Etymologically, "gnomes" [mythology] are described as "a legendary race of human-like beings, usually imagined as short and possibly bearded males, who inhabit the inner parts of the earth and act as guardians of mines, mineral treasure, etc." (Source: wiktionary)



    Apparently I've played too much D&D where gnomes aren't specifically tied to the underground.






    share|improve this answer




















    • 1





      And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!

      – ruakh
      1 hour ago















    26














    The word is "echo-gnomics" ("economics")



    An echo is a reflected sound; gnomes live underground.



    Etymologically, "gnomes" [mythology] are described as "a legendary race of human-like beings, usually imagined as short and possibly bearded males, who inhabit the inner parts of the earth and act as guardians of mines, mineral treasure, etc." (Source: wiktionary)



    Apparently I've played too much D&D where gnomes aren't specifically tied to the underground.






    share|improve this answer




















    • 1





      And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!

      – ruakh
      1 hour ago













    26












    26








    26







    The word is "echo-gnomics" ("economics")



    An echo is a reflected sound; gnomes live underground.



    Etymologically, "gnomes" [mythology] are described as "a legendary race of human-like beings, usually imagined as short and possibly bearded males, who inhabit the inner parts of the earth and act as guardians of mines, mineral treasure, etc." (Source: wiktionary)



    Apparently I've played too much D&D where gnomes aren't specifically tied to the underground.






    share|improve this answer















    The word is "echo-gnomics" ("economics")



    An echo is a reflected sound; gnomes live underground.



    Etymologically, "gnomes" [mythology] are described as "a legendary race of human-like beings, usually imagined as short and possibly bearded males, who inhabit the inner parts of the earth and act as guardians of mines, mineral treasure, etc." (Source: wiktionary)



    Apparently I've played too much D&D where gnomes aren't specifically tied to the underground.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited 1 hour ago

























    answered 1 hour ago









    DavidWDavidW

    4,28511553




    4,28511553







    • 1





      And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!

      – ruakh
      1 hour ago












    • 1





      And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!

      – ruakh
      1 hour ago







    1




    1





    And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!

    – ruakh
    1 hour ago





    And here I thought gnomes dwelt in gardens!

    – ruakh
    1 hour ago













    18














    Rincewind tries his hand at a better translation later in the book.




    Bloody hell, he thought. He’s alive! Me too. Who’d have thought it? Perhaps there is something in this reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits? It was a cumbersome phrase. Rincewind tried to get his tongue around the thick syllables that were the word in Twoflower’s own language.

    “Ecolirix?” he tried. “Ecro-gnothics? Echo-gnomics?”

    That would do. That sounded about right.




    As with 'insurance', the concept of 'economics' (a reflected sound is an echo, underground spirits are gnomes) is largely unheard of in that part of the disc. Rincewind describes it as 'financial wizardry'




    “Well, my point is, you see, that gold also has its sort of magical field. Sort of financial wizardry. Echo-gnomics.” Rincewind giggled.







    share|improve this answer





























      18














      Rincewind tries his hand at a better translation later in the book.




      Bloody hell, he thought. He’s alive! Me too. Who’d have thought it? Perhaps there is something in this reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits? It was a cumbersome phrase. Rincewind tried to get his tongue around the thick syllables that were the word in Twoflower’s own language.

      “Ecolirix?” he tried. “Ecro-gnothics? Echo-gnomics?”

      That would do. That sounded about right.




      As with 'insurance', the concept of 'economics' (a reflected sound is an echo, underground spirits are gnomes) is largely unheard of in that part of the disc. Rincewind describes it as 'financial wizardry'




      “Well, my point is, you see, that gold also has its sort of magical field. Sort of financial wizardry. Echo-gnomics.” Rincewind giggled.







      share|improve this answer



























        18












        18








        18







        Rincewind tries his hand at a better translation later in the book.




        Bloody hell, he thought. He’s alive! Me too. Who’d have thought it? Perhaps there is something in this reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits? It was a cumbersome phrase. Rincewind tried to get his tongue around the thick syllables that were the word in Twoflower’s own language.

        “Ecolirix?” he tried. “Ecro-gnothics? Echo-gnomics?”

        That would do. That sounded about right.




        As with 'insurance', the concept of 'economics' (a reflected sound is an echo, underground spirits are gnomes) is largely unheard of in that part of the disc. Rincewind describes it as 'financial wizardry'




        “Well, my point is, you see, that gold also has its sort of magical field. Sort of financial wizardry. Echo-gnomics.” Rincewind giggled.







        share|improve this answer















        Rincewind tries his hand at a better translation later in the book.




        Bloody hell, he thought. He’s alive! Me too. Who’d have thought it? Perhaps there is something in this reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits? It was a cumbersome phrase. Rincewind tried to get his tongue around the thick syllables that were the word in Twoflower’s own language.

        “Ecolirix?” he tried. “Ecro-gnothics? Echo-gnomics?”

        That would do. That sounded about right.




        As with 'insurance', the concept of 'economics' (a reflected sound is an echo, underground spirits are gnomes) is largely unheard of in that part of the disc. Rincewind describes it as 'financial wizardry'




        “Well, my point is, you see, that gold also has its sort of magical field. Sort of financial wizardry. Echo-gnomics.” Rincewind giggled.








        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited 1 hour ago

























        answered 1 hour ago









        ValorumValorum

        417k11430383261




        417k11430383261



























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