I won't call you a Blue, if you don't call me a Green

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May 2012

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May 28 - Memorial Day

[Betony Baryl]

This was a thought recently shared with me a distinguished member of the Green Caste.  There are no instances in the books, where a physician or healer was referred to as a Green.  And we certainly don't refer to other castes as whites, yellows, blues or scarlets (notice I said scarlet, not red); we call them initiates, builders, scribes, or warriors.  I think to say "Go run and fetch a Green" is probably easier than typing "physician" or even "healer" and this may be the reason for people creating this aphorism.  Any thoughts on this?

[Anarch Allegiere]

I actually have been called a Scarlet or a Red alot when I was a Warrior.

But aye, it's a bit silly... and yet another onlineism...

[Tarlyn Dagger]

Thank you Betony:

I abhor with a passion when people use the colors instead of the Caste name, and have -always- tried my best to spell it all out, regardless of how much or little nimble it is on the fingers.

And regardless of which Caste, whether it be Physician, Scribe, Warrior or anything else.

 ~ T

[Shyla Timeless]

I'm glad you brought this up and I must admit, I have used the term"Green" before when speaking of and to a fellow physician.  Yikes!  Honestly, it never crossed my mind as I have heard rarius called "Reds" and scribes called "Blues".  From this point forward, I shall adjust my lazy fingers accordingly!

[Kaitlin Eiren]

This was a thought recently shared with me a distinguished member of the Green Caste.  There are no instances in the books, where a physician or healer was referred to as a Green.  And we certainly don't refer to other castes as whites, yellows, blues or scarlets (notice I said scarlet, not red); we call them initiates, builders, scribes, or warriors.  I think to say "Go run and fetch a Green" is probably easier than typing "physician" or even "healer" and this may be the reason for people creating this aphorism.  Any thoughts on this?

This used to be a huge issue with me.  The use of Green Caste instead of Physicians Caste but it seems the author himself doesn't have the same issues with the practice or his ghost writer has been hanging out in SL Gor. 

Swordsmen of Gor
One might mention, at this point, a word or two about the stabilization serums, which were developed centuries ago by the green caste, that of the Physicians.

I had sought out the physicians, those of the green caste, in camp. None had been summoned.

I had suspected some form of subterfuge, or hoax, from the apparent absence or inaccessibility of Tersites, from my inquiries amongst those of the green caste, and from the igniting of the vast pyre after dark.

[Tarlyn Dagger]

But referring to someone 'of the Green Caste', and saying 'go get a Green' - are two different things.

Yes, as a Scribe I'm 'of the Blue', but I'm not 'a Blue'.

 ~ T

[Kaitlin Eiren]

But referring to someone 'of the Green Caste', and saying 'go get a Green' - are two different things.

Yes, as a Scribe I'm 'of the Blue', but I'm not 'a Blue'.

 ~ T

True but it does show he uses the words interchangeably...Physicians Caste...Green Caste. 

[Bella (Ophala)]

I agree with Bets.

It's one of the main reasons I wouldn't wear a Green dress as a FW!

[Ashoka Mosely]

Ho Ho Bets, I didn't even realize it was an onelineism ...  Good on ya!

Always thought it was a north / south thing. Like in the north , there are no greens and blues,
but healers and scroll keepers, etc.

Nice.

This forum is good to bring out alot of the oneline isms out there, like when Anarch highlighted the 100 codes
stuff and there was alot of talk about serveries, etc, and choice of words.

One thing I'd say though, is the day men walk around BTB Gor with no tatoos, will be the day when
oneline - isms are much less prevalent.

Also ... what's the deal with " Sir " and all that victorian style talk , etiquette ( pardon spelling ) , decorum,
weird impressions of what "honor" is etc etc etc ... old man Carter used to make a reference to Camelot when talking about Gor ... thats another oneline-ism too...

[Kaitlin Eiren]

Ho Ho Bets, I didn't even realize it was an onelineism ...  Good on ya!

Always thought it was a north / south thing. Like in the north , there are no greens and blues,
but healers and scroll keepers, etc.

Nice.

This forum is good to bring out alot of the oneline isms out there, like when Anarch highlighted the 100 codes
stuff and there was alot of talk about serveries, etc, and choice of words.

One thing I'd say though, is the day men walk around BTB Gor with no tatoos, will be the day when
oneline - isms are much less prevalent.

Also ... what's the deal with " Sir " and all that victorian style talk , etiquette ( pardon spelling ) , decorum,
weird impressions of what "honor" is etc etc etc ... old man Carter used to make a reference to Camelot when talking about Gor ... thats another oneline-ism too...

It's important not to label everything as an onlinism.  The term "Sir" is used to address unfamiliar men the books.  It was not a singular instance and appears in several of the books.  Many things thought to be onlinisms begin to appear or appear in more frequency after book #13.  Personally I try to ascertain a name at first meeting since often in the books the term Sir is used by a woman in chains not yet enslaved since this is likely when she would be addressing an unknown man.

Example of a Free Woman to a Free Man
She then thrust the light scarf through an eyelet on the collar of my robes and drew it halfway through. In this fashion it would not be likely to be dislodged. “Thank you, kind sir, handsome sir!” she laughed. She then sped away, laughing. (Players of Gor)

Example of a Free Man to a Free Man
“A tarsk bit is quite sufficient,” he said.
“You have it,” I said.
“Yes, Sir,” he said. “Thank you, Sir.” He put the tarsk bit from his hand into his purse, as I held it, and then took the purse gingerly from me, and, sensing he was permitted, dropped it, on its strings, so that again it hung from his belt, on his left. If one is right-handed, one normally lifts the purse with the left hand and reaches into it with the right. The weight of the purse, on its drawstrings, closed it.
“It is a violent night out,” I said.
“It is, Sir,” said he. “What have you heard from the north?” (Renegades of Gor)

As far as tattoos it really depends.  Facial and body tattoos do exist in the books and even brands could be done with ink rather than an iron by a person skilled with the needle.  It is very overdone but not an onlinism.  I think we will have to look to something else for a decrease in the use of onlinisms.  As long as Gor is learned from NCs and inaccurate websites I see them continuing even if every man in Gor is without a mark.

@OP
The author does use "Green Caste" but the word "Green" does bring to mind a head of lettuce and I would much prefer being called Physician or healer.

[Ashoka Mosely]

NiCe

as for the tats ... the wagon peeps had em and the brands, etc, but what I'm talking about
are the barbed wires, the dragons, the other "non-gorean" ones which should be kept to the
GE sims ...

I'd like to clarify that I don't wear my top gun aviators inworld in Gor!

[Kaitlin Eiren]

NiCe

as for the tats ... the wagon peeps had em and the brands, etc, but what I'm talking about
are the barbed wires, the dragons, the other "non-gorean" ones which should be kept to the
GE sims ...

I'd like to clarify that I don't wear my top gun aviators inworld in Gor!

I think we are in agreement on the misuse of them regarding images used.  To clarify I see tattoos in much the same way as I see dancing silks on kajirae.  They are far too frequently used with no supporting plausible story even if they are in the spirit of the books.

[Betony Baryl]

Speaking of greetings . . . 

From reading the books, these are some interesting things I observed:

1) A lower caste free man will sometimes address a higher caste free man as Master.  Not as a submissive; but rather as a title of respect to indicate their difference in station.  I saw this usage several times.

2)  SL seems to have a convention that frees say "Tal" and slaves says "Greetings".  I wasn't keyed into looking for this; but from what I can see; when the slaves greeted, they said "Tal".

3) Slaves names in the book were capitalized.  Slaves Beads, Vella, Vika.  We're a graphical environment now; no need of the old convention of have slave's names in lower case.

We could start several threads on appearances alone!  Tattoos! Robes of Concealment (rare)! Kilts! Poofy Big Hair! 

[Elle Couerblanc]

2)  SL seems to have a convention that frees say "Tal" and slaves says "Greetings".  I wasn't keyed into looking for this; but from what I can see; when the slaves greeted, they said "Tal".

3) Slaves names in the book were capitalized.  Slaves Beads, Vella, Vika.  We're a graphical environment now; no need of the old convention of have slave's names in lower case.

Thank you for this!  I have always referred to myself as "Elle" or "Babbler" or "Carrot" upper case only after reading the books.  But does this mean I can't call you "The Green Lady"?   

[Randall Reich]

From now on you all may call me Mr. Black.