1. Marcelo

    Marcelo Member

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    This doesn't sounds right

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by Marcelo, Aug 28, 2008.

    Hello! In the novel I'm working on, there are some kind of superhumans. I was considering calling them altereds, but the word didn't sound right. By th way, I have a question with two latin words. The scientific name for these superhumans will be 'Homo Mutatus', but since I got that from a translator I don't know if its correct. Help please?
     
  2. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    yes, it's correct... here's a handy site for checking out latin:

    http://catholic.archives.nd.edu/cgi-bin/lookit.pl?latin=mutatus

    if you don't like 'altered' for a 'nickname' what about:

    mutates
    mogs [from 'transmogrify']
    variants
     
  3. Marcelo

    Marcelo Member

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    Thanks for the site! And as for the nicknames... I liked variants and mogs :)
     
  4. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    me, too!... i can see the 'official' name being 'variants' and 'normal' folks calling them the derogatory-sounding 'mogs'...
     
  5. Heather Louise

    Heather Louise Contributor Contributor

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    With that scientific name for them being 'Homo Mutatus', I would say make it something that derives from those words. My first thought woulf be Homo's, but that is obviously not wise, unless that is what the enimies call them, people who do not agree with what they are doing sort of thing.

    I like Maia's suggestion of Varients, it has a ring to it.
     
  6. AnonyMouse

    AnonyMouse Contributor Contributor

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    I'm struggling with this same question myself. I'm writing about a secret agancy that deals with/battles paranormal creatures like werewolves, vampires, and a few other beasties. I'm having a hard time coming up with a single word that covers them all.

    I'm getting sick of typing things like "they were attacked by 2 vamps and five wolves." I wish I could just say "they were attacked by 5 [insert name here]." But i'm so bad at making up names and I feel like there's gotta be an existing word for this somewhere.
     
  7. Fatalism

    Fatalism New Member

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    Use 'humanoid' if you want a thing that basically acts like a human but isn't!

    Good luck with your chapter!
     
  8. architectus

    architectus Banned

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    There is a word for it, monsters, but that sounds to generic. I like Maia's variants.
     

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