13thcolony | (no subject)

I did some research and Cassiopeia was a "socialator". I don't know if they had streetwalkers, and if they were called the same thing, but at her level that was the term.

Here are some more original series BSG terms. I thought this would be helpful for the fic writers. I found these here.

Terminology

Occasionally, the terms you hear on “Battlestar Galactica” are not familiar. Here’s a quick little glossary. There are other terms on the show, but you can probably figure them out with a little context (like, “Eat your primaries, Boxey”).

TIME UNITS:

· micron(s) - several seconds
· centon(s) - minute (10 microns in one of these)
· centare, centares* - "hour" - 100 centons; 24 centares in a day
· secton(s) - "week" - 8 days
· sectare, sectares* - "month" - 32 days, 4 sectons
· yahren(s) - year - 391 days** (12 sectares plus seven intercalary days)

SWEAR WORDS:

Felgercarb and frak mean about the same thing, although I believe that “frak” is stronger language. I’m sure you can figure it out.

OTHER TERMS:

Cylon: of a race of beings made of shining metal. Their goal is annihilation of the human race.
Basestar: A Cylon ship of massive size.
Battlestar: A human ship equivalent of the basestar.
Viper: Small, maneuverable ships flown by single pilots and stationed on the Galactica. They can’t fly far by themselves.
Socialator: Cassie is a socialator, which is most easily described as the intergalactic equivalent to a Japanese geisha or a Greek heteira (crudely, a woman who grants sexual favors, but is highly regarded in society and also highly educated).
Cubit: This is the primary monetary unit used in the Colonies. Cubits are small gold rectangles with designs pressed into them.
Ambrosa: the favored form of liquor on the Colonies.
Pyramid: Starbuck’s card game of choice.

Me - I think of felgercarb as shit, (recycled carbohydrates?), and frak as fuck, but that's very much JMHO.

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This is great information.

Just like 'companion' on FIREFLY, 'socialator' was simply another name for 'whore', although such a harsh term was never used on the show, as far as I'm aware of.

This is great information.

Thanks! :)

Just like 'companion' on FIREFLY, 'socialator' was simply another name for 'whore

I only watched a few eps of Firefly, but I thought in both cases it was the term for a highly trained and educated one, rather than just a simple whore. More like a geisha or courtesan.

*Super geek mode on*

The regard for Socialators varied in Colonial society. Some would have seen it as an honorable, if somewhat exotic profession, others would have seen them basically as whores. Cassie herself was somewhat defensive about the job on one occasion, clearly indicating that she had an awareness that some disapproved. However, the notion that the job involved a broader sort of skills than merely having sex with clients is canonical, and the folks who most directly expressed disapproval of Cassie in the BSG pilot movie were portrayed more or less as Colonial religious conservatives. It could also be noted that amongst a group of people who would be considered leaders in the BSG universes' society (Apollo, Adama, Cain, Adama's daughter Athena (I'll set aside Starbuck since he's a bit of a rogue), there was never an impression that Cassie or associating with Cassie was particularly naughty or sketchy.

In context, I'd also argue that felgercarb was slightly closer to "bullshit" than "shit", but that's obviously a teeny tiny and highly arguable point.

*Super geek mode off*

The regard for Socialators varied in Colonial society. Some would have seen it as an honorable, if somewhat exotic profession, others would have seen them basically as whores.

Thanks so much! I'd forgotten most of this. :)

I'd also argue that felgercarb was slightly closer to "bullshit" than "shit"/i>

I'd buy that.

I think you're right.

I always liked 'courtesan' much better than either of those terms because I found them kind of 'coy', as if the writers were afraid to come out and say what these women did.

Although, in FIREFLY, Mal, the captain, did call her a 'whore' in one episode.

If they introduce any courtesans into BG, I really hope they don't futz around with these names. If this profession is *so* revered, then I think their 'title' should reflect that.

I hope the character is interesting, no matter what they call it.

Oh hey, this is great! I'm going to put it in the memories section, if you don't mind.

Thanks. No problem. :)

Fantastic info! It seems that the new series has ditched the old time unit, since we've heard them talking about minutes and hours. At least cubits are still around!

Thanks. :)

since we've heard them talking about minutes and hours

Good point!

Eek! All this terminology is giving me some serious shiny-disco-jumpsuit flashbacks... ;-)

**

I can't decide if it's making me relive my youth or feel very old. *g*

I was thinking about "frak" a couple months ago, and trying to figure out how to spell it, and folks commented on my post (http://www.livejournal.com/users/elke_tanzer/510512.html) that frak is the gooey tarlike residue on the Viper afterburners.

Cool! I hadn't heard that before. :)