| SCA Linguistics 101 |
| Goodness, you've started playing this SCA thing, but half the time, you have no idea what people are talking about! The truth is, there's a lot of specialised terms in the SCA to refer to things that happen or exist only in the Society. Some terms are sadly so popular but inappropriate we'll never get rid of them, others are cool, but never get used! This is a brief guide to some of the more common terms of either SCA-creation, or terms so unusual, you're unlikely to hear them outside of the Society. The list will be expanded over time. |
| "A-o-A" -- linguistic shorthand for "Award Of Arms". It's the first level award in the Society, and means the bearer is officially Lord So-n-So. For more on the award and rank system, see the "Identifying Important Scadians" article. "Blazon" -- this is a phrase in the specialized language of Heraldry that describes your persona's arms. See also Device, Heraldry. "--crats" -- SCA suffix meaning the person in charge. The Autocrat is in charge of organizing the entire event. The Feast-o-crat organizes the feast, and is usually the head cook too. The Land-o-crat (a term rarely heard outside of major major events) is in charge of organizing where everyone camps. The only truly medieval word in there is Autocrat, so try to avoid the others. "Device" -- this is the 'coat of arms' that designates YOU. Unlike those silly mall vendors that claim to sell you your 'family coat of arms', in the SCA a Device indicates one person. Also, groups will have a device to indicate the group. "Dragon" -- OK, this one is semi-common, but unfortunate. A holdover from the SCA semi-fantasy beginnings, this refers to your car. Please, try not to use this word. Use 'wagon', 'cart', 'caravan', or even just 'car' (which is a medieval word) instead. "Event" -- this is the thing that happens on weekends, and everyone goes dressed up in garb and fights, cooks, socializes, displays crafts, sings, dances, performs, etc etc etc. This is the point of the SCA, the times when everyone gets together and recreates a medieval atmosphere. "Feast Gear" -- I cannot stress how important this is: At SCA feasts, you MUST PROVIDE YOUR OWN PLATES AND CUPS AND SILVERWARE! This collection of table settings is called feast gear. Some people bring any old thing, others have lovely set of recreated medieval plates and silverware. I recommend you always include a napkin. "Garb" -- this refers to the special medieval clothes that you make (or buy, that's OK too) to wear to events. "Heraldry" -- this is the medieval art or science of not only putting on a good show, so to speak, in announcing combats, or calling people into court, or anything you'd want someone with a big, trained, speaking voice to do, but also the ability to design Devices, to describe them in Blazon, and to help others make up their devices. Sometimes, you'll hear "Yes, I speak Heraldese". That means the person knows blazon. "Leman" -- a wonderful period term that really means 'lover' or 'mistress', but is quickly gaining fashion in the Society with the meaning 'significant other'. You know, boyfriend, girlfriend, or (in my case) "long term, monagamous, live-in lover and life-partner, but we're just too cheap/lazy/whatever to get married". "OP" -- This stands for "Order of Precedence" which is the list of awarded individuals in ascending rank. For a wonderful discussion of the awards, in order, please visit Mistress Jessa d'Avondale's article. "Troll" -- another common but unfortunate word. Remember the Three Billy Goats? Well, they had to pay the Troll. Get it? A pun on the word 'toll', it means the front gate of the event where you pay to get in, and sign a waiver. For my sanity, please avoid it. Just say "Gate". |