Tone it down / Deadish
/DED-ish/ adjective
≈ “N/A — profanity has lost its power”
In Scythe's post-mortal world, death-related curses have lost their sting. Nobody fears death because everyone can be revived. The series explores how 'deadish' (temporarily dead, to be revived) replaces 'dead' — and how profanity around death becomes meaningless.
“Relax, you were only deadish for three days.”— Various characters in a post-mortal society
Etymology
In a world where death has been conquered, words like 'kill' and 'die' lose their taboo. Shusterman coined 'deadish' for the state of temporary death, and explored how a society without mortal fear would need new sources of linguistic shock.
Usage History
Used throughout the Arc of a Scythe trilogy (2016-2019).
Taboo Trajectory
Brilliant meta-commentary on profanity itself. If death isn't scary, death-words aren't profane. Only 'gleaned' (truly killed by a Scythe) carries weight — because it's the only form of real death left.
Semantic Drift Timeline
A core worldbuilding concept. The evolution from 'dead' (permanent) to 'deadish' (temporary) to 'gleaned' (permanently killed by a Scythe — the only real death) shows how language tracks with cultural fear.
Regional Notes
Used worldwide in the post-mortal society.