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Heinlein's 'tanj' is alright, he also used 'tanstaafl' (there ain't no such thing as a free lunch). But not offensively. Sci-fier E E 'Doc' Smith made up space gods just so his characters could swear by their unusual bodyparts "By Klono's Iron testicles!" and such. Genius.
Great stuff.
I'm actually sad enough to have a convenient selection of some of Doc Smith's greatest oaths to hand:
Holy Klono's Iradium Intestines!
Holy Klono's Whiskers!
By Klono's Emerald-Filled Gizzard!
Klono's Tungsten TEETH and CURVING CARBALLORY CLAWS!!
Klono sounds like a pretty fun guy..
Smith was also apparently responsible for two other fantastic exclamations; "Hell's Brazen Hinges!" and the unparalleled "Great Cat!"
L. Sprague DeCamp's mighty oaths are even better though;
By Astis' Ivory Teats!
By Nobalyaga's cleft!
By Vaisu's Brazen Arse!
By Astis' Coynte!
By Heryx's Ironyard!
(This post brought to you by Kim Newman and Neil Gaiman's essential compendium "Ghastly Beyond Belief", btw..) |
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