Rust and Ruin
/RUST and ROON/ interjection
≈ “God damn it / Jesus Christ”
A blasphemous exclamation invoking Ruin, one of the two primal gods of Scadrial. 'Rust' refers to the destructive force of entropy.
“Rust and Ruin, that was close!”— Waxillium Ladrian
Etymology
In Scadrial's theology, Ruin and Preservation are the two primal forces. 'Rust' is associated with Ruin's entropy. Invoking them is blasphemous because these are real, documented divine forces in this world.
Usage History
Introduced in The Alloy of Law (2011). Part of Sanderson's consistent approach of tying profanity to world-specific theology.
Taboo Trajectory
Functions as genuine blasphemy in a world where the gods were real, documented entities. Carries more theological weight than most fictional oaths.
Semantic Drift Timeline
Consistent through Mistborn Era 2. The phrase and its variants (just 'Rust!' or 'Rusts!') are the primary blasphemous exclamations.
Regional Notes
Used in the Elendel Basin region of Scadrial during Era 2.