What to call the crew of a spaceship?

Discussion in 'Science Fiction' started by Pharthan, Aug 21, 2017.

  1. John Calligan

    John Calligan Contributor Contributor

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    lol I know it’s corny, but I really like “spaceman” and “spacer.”
     
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  2. Iain Aschendale

    Iain Aschendale Lying, dog-faced pony Marine Supporter Contributor

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    How about thinking of a nice official sounding term and running it through the linguistic rock-tumbler a few times. "Boatswain" becomes bo'sun, "starfarer" becomes starfer? Just at thought.
     
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  3. WingedClover

    WingedClover Member

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    Maybe:

    Starseekers/Seekers - Those who undergo great voyages, "seeking something great among the stars".

    Mariners - An old term for sailors, but if you are going for something poetic then here you go.
     
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  4. John Calligan

    John Calligan Contributor Contributor

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    Now that space force is a thing, I guess we will get an official answer :D
     
  5. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

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    I do wonder which way it will go. Though science fiction - which has a terrible track record as regards predictions - has traditionally pegged space armadas as a natural evolution of navel tradition, currently, as it stands, today, in this moment, right now (because someone is going to come along and mention shit from 50 - 60 years ago) the USAF is the military branch most closely cleaved to all things Cape Canaveral.
     
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  6. mashers

    mashers Contributor Contributor Community Volunteer

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    Are you telling me I’m not getting a holodeck?
     
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  7. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Well, every once in a while Science Fiction gets it right. We've been promised flying cars since the 50's and those are not coming to a driveway near you any time soon, but we did get communicators, and I daresay what we have is a step up from the clamshell monstrosity Kirk used. ;)

    [​IMG]
     
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  8. Iain Aschendale

    Iain Aschendale Lying, dog-faced pony Marine Supporter Contributor

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    I'd love to argue for Space Marines, but a) Where we gonna invade? and b) Yes, there are helicopter, Harrier, Osprey, and fighter pilots, but I think it would be best to leave the technical stuff to the technical boys (and girls) of the Navy and Air Force.

    Dibs on door gunner though.

    [​IMG]
     
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  9. Nariac

    Nariac Contributor Contributor

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    One should never have to argue for anything as awesome as Space Marines!
     
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  10. mashers

    mashers Contributor Contributor Community Volunteer

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    So... I am getting a holodeck?
     
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  11. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Not to mention that a future where Martian Marine GySgt Bobbie Draper doesn't happen is a sad future indeed. :supercry:

    [​IMG]
     
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  12. Cave Troll

    Cave Troll It's Coffee O'clock everywhere. Contributor

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    Spacers
    Astronauts?
    Outer Earthers
    IDK.

    Just don't forget to take beer with 'em. :supergrin:
    BEER_alcohol_drink_drinks_1600x1209.jpg
     
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  13. mashers

    mashers Contributor Contributor Community Volunteer

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    I want to believe that astronauts drink beer on the moon, but the glass of beer isn't reflected in his helmet. Why must you crush my dreams so cruelly?
     
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  14. Cave Troll

    Cave Troll It's Coffee O'clock everywhere. Contributor

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    Your just not believing hard enough...:p
     
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  15. mashers

    mashers Contributor Contributor Community Volunteer

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    Hey, you're right!

    Beer.jpg
     
  16. Iain Aschendale

    Iain Aschendale Lying, dog-faced pony Marine Supporter Contributor

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    Nicely done. This guy's bartender was slow:

    [​IMG]
     
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  17. CerebralEcstasy

    CerebralEcstasy Active Member

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    https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/a8813/why-dont-we-have-holodecks-15306311/

    This article was written in 2013... I'm hoping we're a lot closer to getting our holodecks. I could use a speedo clad manservant to bring me drinks while I kill aliens. I'd also like to attempt to write a holo-novel.
     
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  18. Privateer

    Privateer Senior Member

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    At the moment Air Forces tend to be the most spacey but if you're wanting an organisation to man and operate large, complex vessels on long voyages in a 3D environment you probably want to use submariners rather than fighter pilots: it's going to be easier to teach Deeps to fly than to teach Crabfats how to run a ship's company and a nuclear reactor.

    God knows what the slang term would end up being (Spaceys? Like 'Space Cadets'?) but they'd probably stick with 'astronauts'- divided into 'ratings' and 'officers', naturally- as formal terminology. Hell, they might just stick with 'sailors' after all, depending on whether or not your fictional space-navy is a branch of a normal navy.

    Most people are going to call them by some sort of faintly derogatory nickname, though. Nobody ever nicknames anyone anything cool; it's always an insult.
     
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2018
  19. Bolu Kai

    Bolu Kai Member

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    The name of your "sailors" doesn't necessarily need to be unique. I would stay stick with something like OB1 is talking about.

    Your readers won't have to be pulled out of the story to figure out what your crew's name/title means and they can remain immersed in the world to focus on characters and story. If you're trying to come up with words for a specific title or rank for a particular function such as "commander," I think your best bet is picking something people won't have to think about too much. I think sometimes it's purposeless to use a made up name when a perfectly good name already exists. I recommend doing research. For instance, someone above brought up "jack-tar/tar." There are plenty of other terms. If you do the research, look into things that parallel what your crew is doing. If it's a salvage ship, look into things that have to do with salvage. Just a thought. :)
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2018
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