I HATE the term GISH

[Mistwell]

Polyhedron 159, Page 12, 2nd Complete Sentence to end of paragraph.

Gish include multiclassed characters with expertise in both combat roles, githwarrior and warlock. They are most commonly Fighter/Wizards, but monk/sorcerers and rogue/wizards are also gish. In addition, single-classed bards are considered gish because of their diversity of skills, blending weapon use and magical proficiency. (Likewise, if you use psionics in your game, single-classed psychic warriors are considered gish.)

 

[Keldryn]

I'd never even heard of it before this thread. And I'm 32 (almost 33) and have been playing since about 1986.

 

[Gez]

This is one of the first time I've seen it here. While I know the Githyanki origins of that word, I think most of the kiddies over at WotC use it because it's part of their own "1337 5p33k", kinda like "buffing" "rezzing" "spawning" and so on.

It both makes it shorter for the in-crowd, and harder to understand for the eavesdropping interlopers -- such as the parents.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

This is one of the first time I've seen it here. While I know the Githyanki origins of that word, I think most of the kiddies over at WotC use it because it's part of their own "1337 5p33k", kinda like "buffing" "rezzing" "spawning" and so on.

It both makes it shorter for the in-crowd, and harder to understand for the eavesdropping interlopers -- such as the parents.

Those other examples you speak are from MMORPGs (and before that, MUDs). "Gish" is a unique-to-D&D abomination.

 

[Slaved]

I have no problem with the therm.

To me it is just short hand for a character who has a lot of martial training and a high spell repertoire.

Fighter/Mage would not be appropriate because that is only one of the many different ways it could be built.

If someone says that they are looking for help making a gish that can do a small list of things then you can point them to a multi-class build with fighter, ranger, barbarian, etc plus wizard, sorcerer, cleric, psion, etc or maybe even single classes like druid, cleric, psychic warrior, etc.

Good combat potential plus good casting = Gish. At least to me.

Since this is my post that is good enough as far as I am concerned

 

[Delta]

I assure you Roman soldiers used abbreviations and slang terminology, as did Crusaders and Musketeers.

I would love to hear some examples, please!

 

[Remathilis]

These boards are the first time I have heard that term, and I agree, it sounds pretty lame. Even in reference to Githyanki I think it would sound bad (I thought they were referred to as Knights, but that could just be some nugget from 1st edition resurfacing).

A little Etymology:

A gish is a githyanki fighter/wizard.
A knight was a githyanki anti-paladin/blackguard (a paladin reversed in 2e, a blackguard in 3e)
A warlock was the term for a githyanki wizard, but now refers to the CA class.
a zerth was a githzerai fighter/mage in 1e/2e, but is now the term for a monk. Torment extended the phrase to include any worshipper of Zerthimon, a kinda rebel/hero of the Githzerai.

Having played in a long-term PS game with lots of gith, I learned the proper terms as close as possible.

 

[Henry]

I would love to hear some examples, please!

According to http://www.romans-in-britain.org.uk/glo_military_glossary_s.htm , there were quite a few terms used.

They used to call a ballista a "scorpion", for one; "under the eagle" meant "on active duty." A "Boar's head" was a wedge formation. Shipwrecks were "concha", or "seashells." There are plenty more listed, not to mention what didn't survive because no one recorded them.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

According to http://www.romans-in-britain.org.uk/glo_military_glossary_s.htm , there were quite a few terms used.

They used to call a ballista a "scorpion", for one; "under the eagle" meant "on active duty." A "Boar's head" was a wedge formation. Shipwrecks were "concha", or "seashells." There are plenty more listed, not to mention what didn't survive because no one recorded them.

Far from taking one out of the game, I'd submit using that sort of slang in a period-appropriate game would help make the game more believable and involving. (Much like many Planescape fans love the cant.)

 

[Perun]

When I hear 'gish,' I think 'bish," as in 'bishonen.'

Great. Now every time I hear 'gish' in game (which so far has been... never) I'll be thinking of bichon frises...