D&D General ‪What does the word “dire”‬ mean to you?

[Morrus]

‪What does the word “dire”‬ mean to you? (As in “dire badger”)? And also, do you primarily speak British or American? I think there’s a difference in usage. Which might explain why every group I’ve gamed with has said “you’re a poor example of a badger!” I wonder if it’s an American usage which doesn’t translate to the U.K.

Looking it up, I see:

British: poor quality
American: urgent/serious

I do know more than one person in the UK who asked if the wolves in Game of Thrones — “Dire? What’s wrong with them?”

It’s a poll. Vote above! Use the following definitions for shorthand:

Better=bigger/ferocious/scary/fearsome
Worse=poor/rubbish/inferior

(better or worse isn’t some moral judgement; if you don’t get what it means, feel free to skip this — it’s explained above)

(We have a skit on this incoming but need to check it’s not just a personal thing!)‬

 

[Nagol]

Fearsome. As in dire wolf: canis dirus.

 

[Len]

Better=bigger/ferocious.
Worse=poor/rubbish.

Bigger & more ferocious is better? Well, I guess that's the DM's viewpoint.

 

[ad_hoc]

Dire consequences are consequences which are worse, so I guess that.

Does Canadian English count as American or British?

 

[Ulfgeir]

Both meanings... But primarily that it is bad. Like the reason a band singing about moving furnitures or playing guitar on mtv is called Dire Straits.. I try to write British English, but I fear my pronounciation is a bit more American.

 

[Zio_the_dark]

I won't vote as I primarily speak French ^^
They translated it as "sanguinaire"

Edit: so it's probably bad and scary...

 

[CleverNickName]

To me, dire means "dreadful." A dire wolf is a dreadful wolf...one that is bigger, tougher, and more ferocious than your garden-variety wolf. So I voted "better," and I speak American English.

(Well, mostly. I've picked up a bit of British pronunciations and spellings from my wife.)

 

[generic]

Dire means uh... better at being worse, in my experience. Given the clarifications you gave next to "better", I chose that option.

 

[Hriston]

Serious, extreme, desperate, US English

I get the difference though. Folks here in the states don't, in my experience, use dire to mean pathetic or pitiable, or really use it in everyday conversation at all, except in a cliche like dire consequence.

 

[MarkB]

For me, "Dire" means terrible in consequence, a thing to be feared. I don't think "Better" or "Worse" are really relevant. A dire version of a creature might be better or worse at actually being that creature - but it's most definitely worse news for you if you encounter it.