GLOSSARY OF ENGLISH TERMS FOR MANGA/ANIME FANFIC WRITERS
FFML FAQ Supplement
Last revised 04/01/2000
Original writers:
Gary Kleppe <kleppe@mediaone.net>
Vincent Seifert <seifertv@csus.edu>
Current Maintainers:
Vincent Seifert <seifertv@csus.edu>
Shunsuke <shunsuke@direct.ca>
Switch <niftol@i-manila.com.ph>
Maintainers Emeritus:
Gary Kleppe <kleppe@mediaone.net>
Warr <warr@pobox.alaska.net>
If you have any questions or comments regarding this FAQ, or would like the
latest updated version, please E-mail one of the current maintainers above.
Auntie: A term used to refer to or address a female sibling of one's
parent. Also any woman older than the speaker, but not
elderly. "No, Auntie Saotome, Ranma and his father are off
on a training trip... isn't that right, 'Ranko?'"
Note that women who don't want to be reminded of the age
difference may take this form of address as an insult.
"I'm not 'auntie,' little girl!"
Syn. (latter usage): lady. "What a nice lady." Ma'am.
Bathtub: Large, usually porcelain, receptacle normally filled
with water for bathing. "Shampoo, you're not supposta
be in the bathtub with me!"
Bridegroom: A term used by a certain Chinese old woman (q.v.) to refer
to and address her great-granddaughter's intended. "So,
Bridegroom, when are you going to elope with Shampoo?"
Syn: Groom, Son-in-law.
Brother: Male sibling. May be used as a descriptor ("My brother
is off practicing that ridiculous kendo of his.") or as
a form of address ("Brother, dear, when will you learn
that you are no match for my darling Ranma-sama?")
A related form may be used to non-related males. "Ey,
brudda, you got any pineapples?" Syn: Buddy, pal, man, dude.
Cute: Attractive, esp. in a child-like sort of way. May be
used to compliment a woman. "Wow, Akane looks really
cute in that dress!" Syn: adorable, precious. Ant:
uncute.
Damn: Expletive expressing strong emotion. "Damn! He
shrugged off my best punch!" Syn: darn (milder). See
also: shit.
Dear: Affectionate term, often used to address a spouse or
lover. "Yes, Dear, I'll be back from this training trip
soon." Syn: Darling, honey.
Eh?: Asks for a confirmation of the preceding statement.
"You're a self-insert character from Canada, eh?" Syn:
No? Yes? True?
Excuse me: Said in order to get someone's attention. "Excuse me,
Ranma, but that happens to be MY dress you're wearing."
Syn: pardon me.
Everyone: All persons present or under consideration. "Hello,
everyone, would you like some tea?" Syn: everybody, all.
Father: Male parent. May be used as a descriptor ("Give these
pineapples to my father.") or as a form of address
("Breakfast, Father!") Syn: Dad, Pop, old man.
Fiance(e): Someone engaged to be married to the person under
consideration. Two 'e's for a woman, one for a man.
"Ranma, boy, Akane is your fiancee whether you like it
or not."
Goodbye: Said upon parting company with the person addressed.
"You're leavin', Kodachi? Well, like they say, goodbye
and good ribbons." Syn: see you later, farewell.
Good evening: Said as a greeting after daylight hours. "Good evening,
son. What's this I hear about you wearing a dress?"
Good morning: Said as a greeting in pre-noon hours. "Good morning,
Daddy. Have you got that ten thousand yen you owe me?"
Good night: Normally said upon parting company when the addressed
intends to go sleep. "Good night, P-chan. I'll take you
to the vet tomorrow." Syn: sleep well, sweet dreams.
Help!: Request for assistance. "Help, Akane! I'm bleeding!"
"Oh, Ranma, that's normal once a month."
Idiot: Person of inadequate mental facilities. Used as an
insult. "Ran-chan, you idiot! That was *me* in the
collar. It's a new curse!" Syn: Dummy, fool, moron.
I'm home!: Greeting said by someone announcing his/her return to
his/her place of residence. "I'm home! Hey, Kasumi,
what's for dinner?"
Oh, my: An exclamation of mild surprise. Also Oh, my goodness
(an exclamation of less-mild surprise) and Oh, dear (an
exclamation of dismay). "Oh, my. A volcano is erupting
in the back yard."
Okay: 1. Appropriate. "Are you sure it's okay to wear
that dress to school, Shampoo?" Syn: all right.
2. Request for assent. "This dress no for school.
Ranma take Shampoo on date now, okay?" Syn: all right?
yes?
3. Assent. "Okay." Syn: yes, sure, fine, all right.
Ant: no, no way, wrongo, not gonna happen.
4. An inquiry as to the health of another. "Jeez, she
fainted! Shampoo! Are you okay?" Syn: all right, well.
Old man: A term used to refer to or address an elderly male
human. When used to address or refer to a non-elderly
male human, the old man in question may take umbrage.
"Come back here with that bra, old man!" Syn: Gramps,
old goat, old fart.
Often used by rude young male humans to their fathers.
"Get out of that pond, old man. I haven't finished
clobberin' you yet." Syn: Pops.
Old woman: A term used to refer to or address an elderly female human.
See previous entry for umbrage. "I'll elope with Shampoo
when pigs fly, old woman! Oh, hi, P-chan." Syn: Granny,
old bat, old bag.
Ouch: An exclamation of pain. "Ouch! Put the damn mallet
away!" Also ow, owie, ow-ow-ow-ow, etc.
Please: A polite addition to requests or even commands. "Dear,
please don't shout at your mother."
Really: 1. A request for confirmation. "You like my new curry
recipe? Really?" Syn: truly, is that true, honestly, etc.
2. Confirmation. "Yeah, really. Uh, gimme a glass of
water, quick." Also: you bet, sure.
3. A very mild expletive, usually used by females to express
exasperation or impatience. "Really, Ranma, and after I
worked so hard to cook this!" Syn: honestly!
Shit: Feces. Unless an outhouse has fallen prey to the Breaking
Point, it is typically encountered as an expletive. "Oh,
shit!" Syn: crap, poop, etc.
Sister: A term used to refer to or address one's female sibling.
"Sister, when you're through counting your money, would
you call everyone to dinner, please?" Syn: Sis.
Sorry: A casual apology. "Sorry about this."
Thank you: A polite formula expressing gratitude. "Thank you for the
crackers from Osaka, Ryoga. Weren't you heading for the
bath, though?"
True: 1. In accordance with reality. "Yes, it's true, Tendo. My
son is deathly afraid of cats." Ant: false, wrong.
2. Authentic. "The path of the true martial artist is
fraught with peril, Saotome."
3. Agreement. "True, Tendo. Your move."
Vulgar: Not fit for polite company. Pejorative usually used by
young females trying to maintain a reputation to refer to
young males trying to acquire one. "Honestly, Sayuri,
Daisuke is so vulgar!"
Wait: A request to delay the inevitable. "Wait, Akane, it's not
what you think!" Also: wait a minute, just a moment, hold
it, hold on a second.
Welcome: Polite formula used by someone who stayed put when someone
else arrives or returns. "Welcome to the Nekohanten, honored
customers!" Also: welcome home, welcome back.
What? A request for information, esp. regarding the perfectly
obvious. "What on earth do you think you're doing, Ranma?"
Wow! An exclamation of delight. "Wow! Look at those fireworks!
Uh... where's Happosai?" Syn: Whoa!
Wrong! Denial in flow. "Wrong! Maybe it looks like I'm groping
Miss Hinako, but I'm not!" Also: you've got it all wrong,
guess again, it's not true.
You're welcome: Polite response to thanks. "Thanks for not beating me up,
Saotome." "You're welcome, Gos." Syn: Not at all, don't
mention it.