When finishing a fantasy novel, particularly a Robert Jordan or Steven Erikson novel, I typically find that I want to add their diverse list of swear words/phrases to my own lexicon. After reading a section feature the one-eyed soldier Uno I find I want to make every other word of my sentence “flaming” or “bloody” or, before a particularly trying moment in my own life, I occasionally want to mutter ‘Blood and bloody ashes.” Sometimes I want to throw out a “fish guts” or whisper a certain phrase in the Old Tongue before trying my luck at something difficult.
When it comes to Erikson the curses are particularly inventive and, should I ever choose to inject them into my day-to-day speech, likely all the more perplexing to those around me. Phrases like “Hood’s breath,” or my particular favorites “Togg’s teats” and “Hood’s balls” would likely draw confused stares from friends and strangers alike. Oddly though Jordan and Erikson are the only author’s whose made-up curses really stick in my head. Are there others out there? Does anyone have any other fantasy based explicatives they are fans of?
Have found myself frequently using “Hood” in many expletives – Erikson’s curses seem to stick with me more than any others have
I use “Temple and Arch!” a lot. Probably my favorite.
I’ve actually caught myself saying “gods below”, which I’m fairly sure is also from Steven Erikson’s Malazan books.