Sunday, November 02, 2008

Shiverpips

When writing fantasy it's pretty usual for me to make up words, and not just words to describe something that doesn't exist her on good ol' Earth.  Sometimes I make up new names for existing things because the original name doesn't resonate with me in the story's context, and hopefully it lends a little oomph to the setting.  And I definitely make up slurs, epithets and blessings to reflect the culture I'm inventing.  Oh my god doesn't always fit, nor does damn, or Jesus, or Christ, or cripes, or what have you.

Anyway, any guesses (it'll be easier in the context of the story for the reader, but I'm curious how it reads without context) to what shiverpips are?

Shiverpips is word 10,573.

3 comments:

Molly said...

I'm thinking goosebumps?

C. Jane Reid said...

Long underwear for sailors.

You should use the word for verification for me to post this: licke.

Kami said...

Ooo, licke is fun. It would make a good last name, or a location name. Souveylicke. Ellaslicke Hall.

I'll give more folks the option to guess before I reveal the meaning of shiverpips!