I HATE the term GISH

[pawsplay]

I disdain the term and never use it except in its original, githyanki-specific sense. What's so hard about saying "fighter mage" or "double threat?"

 

[Drowbane]

I first saw "gish" sometime around 96'-98' when my 2e group was heavy into the Planescape.

It didn't bother me then, it doesn't bother me now.

On the other hand, the term Bladesinger used for that PoS PrC WotC released annoys me greatly.

 

[the Jester]

I think the term "gish" is fine... for githyanki.

If you ain't a githyanki, you're a fighter/mage. Or maybe a ranger/mage. Or a fighter/sorcerer. Or...

 

[Hussar]

I've only seen gish on boards like these, never actually spoken out loud. I'll admit, I don't like the term, since it doesn't really work as a short form. It doesn't save any time to use a short form that the reader has no understanding of. Just muddies the water.

OTOH, (heh) I don't mind pally, simply because it's quicker to type than paladin, which you have to use both hands to do the last few letters.

 

[mhacdebhandia]

On the other hand, the term Bladesinger used for that PoS PrC WotC released annoys me greatly.

Coincidentally, the idea that elves should be r0xx0r warrior-mages, and that "bladesinger" is a good name for them, annoys me greatly.

 

[Cam Banks]

Nope, but since the other term is used so often, there must be something attractive about it.

The only thing I can possibly imagine it being due to is a sort of smug sense of inclusion in groupthink. It's a completely made-up word, even if it does come from a Githyanki example of a fighter/mage character, and thus its sheer unintuitive nature demands that you either be in on the jargon-joke or left scratching your head in the uncool crowd.

I mean, seriously.

Cheers,
Cam

 

[Thurbane]

Add me in with the basket that hates the term gish...

 

[Aaron L]

Duskblade suggests shadows and the ability to use swords. And it turns out the class is ... a sword-using illusionist.

Perhaps you are confusing the Duskblade and the Beguiler? The Duskblade is a straight up full BAB warrior who casts almost exclusively damaging spells, and can do so in armor in armor. I originally had a problem with the name Duskblade, until I realized that the derivation of Paladin is from the name of a hill... then I realized that a class or position's name can come from a tradition or place and not have anything to do with what a class actually does. Especially being an elven inspired class, the poetic nature of elves makes the name of the class perfectly fine, and probably more fantastic sounding if said in elvish.

In fact, in Sindarin elvish, it comes out as Tinnu-Hathol, or maybe Uial-Lang, or several other possibilities.




But back on topic, I hate the term gish. It sounds like an onomatopoeic term for stepping on something squishy. Ironically, "gishes" are my favorite character type to play. But I call them fighter/mages. Calling that term "inaccurate" because those two classes aren't exactly involved is pretty selectively invoking accuracy, as the term "gish" properly only applies to githyanki characters who can both fight and cast spells effectively.

 

[Janaxstrus]

all words are "completely made up" at some point.

how many of you type out "FWIW" or "LOL" or even "IMHO" any of the other internet shortcuts? Why does "Gish" annoy you and not those others?

Personally, those text-speak things get my hackles up far more.

 

[Sound of Azure]

Whatever. I don't really care one way or the other what words people use. Took me a while to figure out what a "Gish" even was, and I can't say it really affects me.

Or is it supposed to be serious business or something?