New name for "gish"? (forked from Character Concepts: Gish and Teleporter Mage)

[nerfherder]

The first time I heard the term gish, in 27 years of role-playing, was here last year. I don't like the sound of it - it sounds vaguely like non-grandma-friendly slang. Sure enough, a check of wikipedia reveals that if you described a Scotsman's character as "gish" he may well give you a Glasgow kiss for your trouble...

 

[amethal]

All these references to 2nd edition are confusing me.

If anyone has a 1st edition Fiend Folio please could you look up Githyanki and see if Gish is mentioned there.

 

[Fifth Element]

I think it's odd that some felt a need to replace fighter-mage, or it's other incarnations, but to each his own.

The reason is that most class-class combination names are just that, the names of two specific classes. The term "gish" refers to a concept that can be executed in several ways, not just one particular class combination. A paladin/sorcerer is gishy, but would you call it a fighter/mage?

 

[Psion]

Well, to the "gish"-haters, I offer this olive branch. As there is a term I utterly hate as well, I offer to refrain from using "gish" to refer to non-gith fighter/mage types and steer others away from it as well so long as you assist in stamping out another bit of noisome terminology.

To wit, stamp out, decry, and refrain from using "toon" to refer to player characters.

 

[Kzach]

To wit, stamp out, decry, and refrain from using "toon" to refer to player characters.

But... what if my toon is a gish?

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

To wit, stamp out, decry, and refrain from using "toon" to refer to player characters.

I am pretty neutral on gish, but toon definitely doesn't work for me...

 

[Clavis]

All these references to 2nd edition are confusing me.

If anyone has a 1st edition Fiend Folio please could you look up Githyanki and see if Gish is mentioned there.

It's on page 43. The sole, single, and only legitimate use of the word "gish".

 

[firesnakearies]

Well, to the "gish"-haters, I offer this olive branch. As there is a term I utterly hate as well, I offer to refrain from using "gish" to refer to non-gith fighter/mage types and steer others away from it as well so long as you assist in stamping out another bit of noisome terminology.

To wit, stamp out, decry, and refrain from using "toon" to refer to player characters.

Oh god, yes. I hate the word "toon" 100 times as much as "gish". It's horrible enough when used to describe an MMO character . . . it would be unforgiveable as a descriptor for a real RPG character.

 

[Thunderfoot]

Of my two gaming groups, I'm the only one who spends a lot of time on RPG boards---and I've been subtly insinuating the term 'gish' into our gaming parlance over the past 6 or so months.

It's now effectively standard.

May you burn in whatever fiery pit is appropriate for your religion....

 

[Thunderfoot]

Well, to the "gish"-haters, I offer this olive branch. As there is a term I utterly hate as well, I offer to refrain from using "gish" to refer to non-gith fighter/mage types and steer others away from it as well so long as you assist in stamping out another bit of noisome terminology.

To wit, stamp out, decry, and refrain from using "toon" to refer to player characters.

HEAR, HEAR!!!! Ban them both!!!