Franchise
Red Rising
“You're a bloodydamn odd lark, Matteo.”— Red Rising
5 entries in the archive
Bloodydamn
≈ “Goddamn / Fucking”
/BLUD-ee-dam/adjective/interjection
The signature expletive of the Red (lowest caste) population on Mars. A compound of 'bloody' and 'damn' fused into a single intensifier. Marks the speaker as low-born.
Gorydamn
≈ “Goddamn / Fucking (upper class)”
/GOR-ee-dam/adjective/interjection
The Gold (ruling class) equivalent of 'bloodydamn.' Same function, different word — and the difference marks your entire social identity. Darrow must learn to say this instead of 'bloodydamn' to pass as Gold.
Slag / Squab
≈ “Damn / Goddamn (class variants)”
/SLAG / SKWOB/adjective/noun
Another class-divided pair: 'slag' is the Gold adjective roughly meaning 'goddamn' while 'squab' is the Red equivalent. Using the wrong one betrays your origins.
Pixie
≈ “Spoiled rich kid / Privileged wimp”
/PIK-see/noun (insult)
An insult for Golds who lack a Peerless Scar — meaning they never proved themselves in combat. They drown in luxury and pleasure instead. Among the warrior elite, it's devastating.
Gahja
≈ “Foreigner / Outsider (slur)”
/GAH-jah/noun (slur)
A Rim term for outsiders/foreigners, directly derived from the Japanese 'gaijin.' Used by the isolationist Rim Dominion against Core dwellers.