Building the Inner Persona: Vocabulary

Updated terms in italics
One of the later steps (#7 of 8) in Townsend’s Getting Started series is the process of further developing one’s persona through building of the ‘inner persona’. This means going beyond the superficial outer persona (one’s clothes and gear), and better inhabiting the mental headspace of your chosen individual. One great way to do this is through the words we use for things.
For example, if I were portraying an American settler in the early 1700s, referring to the indigenous population as “Native Americans” would smack of modern political correctness; but to refer to them as “savages” or “naturals” would be quite appropriate. Likewise, to greet someone with the postmodern “Whatsup?” in a 19^th century reenacting context would be quite jarring!To assist you in this, I have prepared a rudimentary selection of common terms which would be familiar to the average citizen of the GFFA, paired with their real-world equivalent. This list is not exhaustive (though I would welcome any additions in the comments!), and is not inclusive of the tables of jargon (like Rebel pilots referring to TIE fighters as ‘eyeballs’) such as those found in books like The Essential Guide to Warfare or WEG’s Rebel SpecOps Handbook…I may share these at a later date for those with an interest in developing military personas.
Instead, this is meant as a way to integrate GFFA terminology into your everyday life, so that you can refer to everyday objects ‘in-universe’…this is a Great way to really ‘sell’ your impression to the public; in my last presentation this summer, the kids got a huge kick out of me consistently referring to their smartphones as datapads. (It doesn’t hurt that I used to be a professional time-traveler from 1836, so it’s not tough for me to pretend to not know what a phone is 😉

• binders   –   handcuffs
• bit driver   –   screwdriver
• caf   –   coffee
• chassisplast – bumper sticker (Propaganda)
• chronometer/chrono – wristwatch or or other timekeeping device
• cloudscraper   –   skyscraper
• comm directory   –   phone book
• datapad   –  mobile tablet, smartphone, or similar
• espcaf – espresso
• flight facilitator – flight attendant/stewardess
• flimsiplast (flimsi)  – translucent paperlike writing material (similar to Opalux or such faux vellums?)
• glit-biter – a drug (spice) addict
• glowlamp   –   lantern
• glowrod   –   flashlight/torch
• hot chocolate  –   hot chocolate (Lando’s favorite!)
• hydrospanner   –   socket wrench+power drill (based on the British ‘spanner (wrench)
• keelrunners – downstrata aliens and humans on a passenger ship–think steerage on the Titanic.
• Kubaz xurkonia   –   cubic zirconia
• lint-nerfs – ‘dust bunnies’ (The Krytos Trap)
• loudhailer   –   bullhorn
• nic-i-tain   –   tobacco
• power cell  –   battery
• power converter   –   transformer (electrical)
• refresher (‘fresher)   –   bathroom/restroom/w.c.
• restraint webbing or restraining strap   –   seat belt
• slicer   –   hacker
• slugthrower   –   non-energy projectile weapon (firearm)
• suspensas   –   dangly earrings
• t’bac   –    tobacco
• transponder   –    GPS-based homing/navigation system
• (turbo)lift   –   elevator
• utility suit   –   coveralls
• viewport   –    window
• viewscreen   –   electronic window? Or like a television?
• youngling    –  child

Researching, compiling, and writing this site takes a lot of time and energy. If you’ve enjoyed reading, have learned something from this post, or will use some of these terms in your own persona, please consider supporting my work with a small donation below! Thank you!