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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18
stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18 |
Fellow Linguaphiles,
I have another word challenge for you to start off the new year.
I am writing a novel featuring two opposing cultures. Conflict between the two sides runs generations deep. Eventually the differing cultures find that they must work together for a common cause. So an uneasy truce is established.
Now in order for the two cultures to work cohesively, representatives of both sides must be able to walk freely amongst people who were recently considered "the Enemy". The problem is that no amount of assurances or oaths will erase the history or cleanse the bad blood between the two cultures. Think a Nazi in full uniform trying to walk the streets of Israel.
So a titled position is established to help allay the fears of the populi. Representatives of both sides are paired together as an emissary team. Each representative is a mirror image in rank and reputation of the other. The companions are sworn to defend his/her charge to the death. It is also an unwritten rule that each companion serves to ensure/enforce the good will of the other. Neither one is to be seen without the other.
After a number of years, these pairings become almost invisible to the group subconscious. If one is seen, he/she is seen as a threat. If two are seen, they cancel one another out and the one is no longer perceived as a threat.
My word challenge is to find a word that sums up the title.
Please remember that each member of the pairing is considered an equal in the eyes of both governments. "Keeper" would be a pejorative name for a person in this position.
I appreciate everyone's time and look forward to your suggestions.
Matthew Johnson
Portland, OR
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467 |
Though the definition is not exactly on point, referring to a person who is an assistant or helper, coadjutant might well get the point across since you can define the title any way you like.
TEd
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Joined: Mar 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
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What I'd like to know is: what percentage of your royalties do we get? 
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,788
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,788 |
I don't have a suggestion for you but I do wish to express my delight that a Portlandian has signed onto the Board. The Left Coast is a bit light in its representation hereabouts and another fellow Pacificist is always welcome.
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
Ambassadors? Emissaries? Peacekeepers?
Hmm--I took emissaries to a thesaurus (M-W On-line), was referred to ambassador, and found this; perhaps one will strike a chord with you:
Entry Word: ambassador
Function: noun
Text: a person sent on a mission to represent another <a beloved entertainer who has often been sent abroad by the president as his country's goodwill ambassador>
Synonyms delegate, emissary, envoy, minister, legate, representative
Related Words agent, attaché, consul, deputy, diplomat, foreign minister, nuncio, procurator, proxy; apostle, evangelist, missionary; deputation, detachment, legation; courier, messenger; mouthpiece, spokesperson
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400 |
well they always work together.. so co is an natural start.
and people often slur or nick name those in authority.. (so police officers become cops or bobby's, (or even peelers)
did you think about giving them a fancy long name (ie:the co ordinated autherized command)--which than gets contracted,and in common use they get called the Cordoroys?
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 500
addict
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addict
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 500 |
"attache" (with the accent aigu) is particularly appropriate here, as your characters are "attached" to each other.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Take a trip in the sept/septon thread. If you're inventing a whole society you can make up about any word you want. Don't expect to find a word in existence for a concept that doesn't exist.
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757 |
Well, procurator turns up in Jackie's list and I agree with ot's point about 'co', following TEd's lead. How about taking the old title of Proctor to give you Coproctors? The fact that could be shortened to Cops may be coincidental… :]
1. Rom. Hist. = procurator 1. Obs.
2. A person employed to manage the affairs of another; an agent, deputy, proxy, attorney: = procurator 2. Obs. or arch. exc. in technical use.
†b. A steward: = procurator 2b. Obs.
c. An agent for the collection of tithes and other church dues; a tithe-farmer. In full tithe-proctor.
OED2
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154 |
A fascinating concept that it would create a fundamental shift in societal assumptions such that an individual would be seen as more dangerous than a pair. I look forward to reading the finished novel.
"her Alt" or just "his Other". Co-minder as an official version? Government Paired Truce Guarantor becoming "my Geep" (soft g) There are lot's of possibilities but I agree with Troy, for gereral usage you would need a slang version as well as the official one.
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