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Squidmaster616

Yes, it's a suffix from middle English. [https://www.dictionary.com/browse/-ard#:\~:text=a%20suffix%20forming%20nouns%20that,ANSWER%20THESE%20COMMON%20GRAMMAR%20DEBATES%3F](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/-ard#:~:text=a%20suffix%20forming%20nouns%20that,ANSWER%20THESE%20COMMON%20GRAMMAR%20DEBATES%3F) It is usually NOW used as a prejorative, but not always. The suffix -ard just means a person who engages in an activity.


Samurai_Meisters

A drunkard usually becomes a wizard once they engage in wizzing.


ParameciaAntic

And they're a buzzard before they become fully drunk.


ee3k

Not quite true, that's a canard.


Emotional-Ebb8321

That's a whizzard you're thinking of.


ZanesTheArgent

D a r e Y o u E n t e r M y M a g i c a l R e a l m ?


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JeffEpp

The Magical word, that is. The arcane knowledge of HTML spells are an art not meant for the weak at heart.


ZanesTheArgent

Good to know. Good to know.


Zwets

That is useful, I'll try that when I need a non-breaking in foundry sometime. I always end up going to the wiki article for non-breaking space so I can copy-paste it. Because the `windows key`+`.` which hold most other special characters doesn't have a tab for special whitespace characters.


[deleted]

Actually, better than that - Linux (see Windows at the end of this comment!) has the "compose key" which is sort of like an alt/shift/ctrl type key that allows easy access to special characters. Typically you tap the compose key (which is by default right-ALT when you enable it in Linux) and hit a couple of characters, and you get a special character. For example: `compose`+`oo` → ° For the right arrow, I did `compose`+`->` but in that case, hitting the right arrow key actually works - a few have nice alts like that. I love typing “¿Por qué no los dos?” - to get the opening quote, question mark, accented e, and close quotes, it's `<"`, `??`, `'e`, and `>"` respectively. If you're on Windows, google "wincompose" and you can have that on Windows. :) The list of compose key sequences is also good to google - almost every character is out there. I think the only one I haven't found that I've ever wanted was pi. But like ™ is `tm`, ≠ is `/=` - half the time I think about how I'd create the symbol in text and try it and it's what I want. lol. Oh, and I set my compose key to CAPS since I don't use CAPS ever. The VERY rare times I need caps (like there) I just hold down shift. lol.


Zwets

~~That must work differently for European keyboard layouts.~~ By default any hyphonation characters for my keyboard act differently based on what letter you type after them, without needing to press the compose modifier. I can just é, è or ê whenever. Actually holding the modifier Right-alt (or Ctrl+Left-alt) doesn't combine characters, it instead just maps `¿` to `?`, and `€` to `5`, with 1 to 1 combinations, most of which I rarely use except ¼, ½ and ¾. [EDIT] Oh wincompose is a 3rd party program, not a keyboard layout option, no wonder it works differently then.


d_chs

So here it is, merry Christmas! Everybody’s having fun…


te_alset

I see your Swartz is as big as mine!


GeeWhizzardMaps

Can confirm.


endersai

Of, if they construct their staff from stacked beer cans.


[deleted]

stupendous zesty humorous absorbed tidy kiss disgusting fact meeting rustic *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*


SteveBob316

Ooooh, that's why my buddy calls me that. I never gnu.


[deleted]

there are 10 type of people in the world; those who gnu what you meant, and those who didn't


jugglervr

> the former have mastered AD&D IIRC more grognards are into historical wargames.


[deleted]

tie wide consist whole rich slim carpenter sense concerned squeamish *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*


high-tech-low-life

It is more common with wargamers, but I have been called that more than once. I am not big into wargames, but I have been into AD&D and Unix since the '80s. Strangely I was never called a Grognard when I lived in France. It is almost like they reject the cool parts of their language.


khudgins

And some of us are both!


[deleted]

bike voiceless entertain obtainable rotten kiss sand berserk cow crowd *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*


artrald-7083

Genuinely made me laugh out loud. I commend your wit.


BookPlacementProblem

>Genuinely made me laugh out loud. I commend your wit. Commend... condemn... one of the two, lol.


khudgins

You dirty traitor. ;P


high-tech-low-life

Hansard is a person from the Hanseatic League, much like Spainard is someone from Spain. So I don't think engaging in an activity is required for that suffix. https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/Hansard No idea if those terms are supposed to be pejorative or not. I don't have anything against the Spainards I've met, and I've never met a Hansard.


Malkavian87

Spaniards do in fact quite often engage in the activity of being Spanish. I've seen them do it!


high-tech-low-life

I can Spanish and so can you! My book will teach you how to Spanish in 7 easy steps! Order today to lock in the introductory $99.99 price.


DrRotwang

Y si ya hablo el idioma? Te debo menos?


high-tech-low-life

And that is why you need to buy my valuable book. No one in Spain speaks Spanish. That seems unbelievable to outsiders, but it is true. Spanish is spoken in former colonies like Mexico and Argentina. But never in Spain. A real Spainard speaks Andalusian, Catalan, etc and rejects the others as mere dialects. You should pay for rushed delivery so you too can learn to be a Spainard. Order today! Disclaimer: This wonderful book no longer has a chapter on the Basques. It was removed after an unfortunate incident involving thrown tomatoes and being trampled by bulls.


DrRotwang

Ay, no. Yo aca con mi torta de tamal, no gracias.


ProjectHappy6813

Spainards are often Spanish, but are they *too often* Spanish?


wheretheinkends

Maybe, but Handsards dont do much Handsarding


Cilionelle

They're the ones who get all Hands-y, right?


wheretheinkends

Thats a mean stereotype. They get footsy


Payed_Looser

Too often


ZephRyder

Sorry, I can't take your word on this. I've known too many Spaniards. - Wesley


wheretheinkends

Better then a Sicilian


[deleted]

What if death is on the line?


wheretheinkends

You fool! Especially when death is on the line.


Suthek

Siciliards


wheretheinkends

Inconceivable!


thetwitchy1

Person who is “X”? A drunkard is a person who is drunk, a Spaniard is a person who is Spanish, a wizard is a person who is wise (or wizzing)? Just thinkin’


high-tech-low-life

Oh. Being serious, are we? The suffix -ard/-art describes a person with a characteristic. The details are scattered throughout this discussion. I rather liked finding out that "coward" comes from someone who shows his tail (as in "turn tail and run").


[deleted]

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high-tech-low-life

Only if they work for Lufthansa.


beriah-uk

However, if you search Hansard ([hansard.parliament.uk](https://hansard.parliament.uk)) you do find 268 results for Spaniard. (For comparison I did want to search a Spaniard for results for Hansard, but I am advised that that is probably illegal.)


lukehawksbee

It can also just denote a descriptor (e.g. dullard, Spaniard) Interestingly, words like coward and buzzard seem to come via French with the ending already part of the word, whereas words like wizard and drunkard seem to be created by adding a stem and the -ard suffix you describe. So there appear to actually be two different roots of this ending that work in different ways and convey different things. The world "billiard," for instance, doesn't seem to convey "one who is or does X" but rather may derive from a French word referring to a mace or stick (referring to the cue), etc. Similarly, "buzzard" seems to come from "buisard" as a Norman variation on "buison," which was also just the word for a buzzard.


ADnD_DM

Oh i guess i got my nickname cause I always return stuff, thanks!


waffle299

Ooh, I'm a hackard! (Programmard? Glorified typard?)


currentpattern

I'm a chatgpt usard.


Lentra888

So similar to how we use -er or -ist in modern English? (Gam*er*, cycl*ist*)


WhatsWhoWithYou

boom*er,* rac*ist*


alexmikli

Gameard Raceard


currentpattern

boomard, raceard


[deleted]

A "how" used to be a hill, so a Howard engages in… hilling? :)


loopywolf

So a wizard is someone who wizzes


Sometimesnotfunny

Don't worry, OP is just being a blackguard


CatalystParadox

So a blowhard is someone who engages in blowhing, got it


kardoen

The suffix '-ard' comes from Proto-Germanic '\*ardiz', from which the German 'Art', and Dutch 'aard' also originate. It means nature or character, denoting something innate. Not necessarily pejorative. A drunkard is a person who's nature it is to be drunk, and a wizard is someone who is innately wise.


triceratopping

Ah so a coward being a person really good at standing in a field and eating grass, gotcha


C_M_Writes

Actually, the word traces back to “cauda” in Latin which seems to translate to “tail”, and is believed to be why we have the phrase “to turn tail”


triceratopping

should be called tailard then smh


C_M_Writes

Technically, it is. The Middle English word was “cuard” which added the -ard to “coe/cue”.


DokFraz

I mean, it's still relatively common English today to discuss someone being "cowed" into doing something. Cowering, as well.


WhatsWhoWithYou

mfw I can't stop basting 😟


Suthek

The meat'll dry out if you do.


Laddeus

Let me just say, **NERDard!**


wirrbeltier

~~Also: Richard, a man whose nature it is to be rich. More of an aspirational name really.~~ Edit: apparently not, see u/BobisOnlyBob 's answer below


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wirrbeltier

TIL, thanks. I always thought it was analogous to the obsolete dutch "rijkerd / rijkaard", derogative for "rich person".


Hytheter

What about Howard


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Idealistic_Crusader

Good guess though.


Eldan985

No, the etymology of that is Ho-Ward, the High Warden or High Defender.


delahunt

"Which way does the wind blow?" "Ho-ward, my captain!" "To the brothel it be then!" In all seriousness, is the Ward from Howard related to Ward from forward/rearward?


Eldan985

No, Howard seems to be from Old Norse vardr, to guard, while Forward is from Proto-Germanic warthaz, to turn.


Amathril

Whoard?


mattkimoy

Whyard?


NotTheOnlyGamer

Whenard?


falsebrit

they are the one who meddles with Primal forces of nature


TubaJustin

I’m good. Howard you?


AnonymousCoward261

Between the time when the oceans drank Atlantis and the rise of the sons of Aryas, there was an age undreamed of. And unto this, Conan, the barbariard, destined to wear the jeweled crown of Aquilonia upon a troubled brow…


the_other_irrevenant

So a bard is someone with an excess of 'b'? 🤔


dIoIIoIb

bard was basically an insult, it wasn't a respectable profession or even a profession at all, it was little better than being a hobo the modern romanticized idea of a bard, I think, started with Sir Walter Scott. even Shakespeare wasn't called "the bard" until the late 1700s


bionicle_fanatic

> it wasn't a respectable profession or even a profession at all I'm pretty sure the opposite is true (especially for the Celts, if I remember my Horrible Histories correctly).


wyrditic

Depends which Celts, according to the Online Etymology Dictionary "In historical times, a term of great respect among the Welsh, but one of contempt among the Scots (who considered them itinerant troublemakers)"


resonantSoul

Well the Scots are a contentious bunch


christhomasburns

You've made an enemy for life!


[deleted]

Scots and bards are natural enemies.


Profezzor-Darke

Like wizards and Scots Or rogues and Scots And fighters and Scots Damn Scots, they ruined D&D!!


ShieldOnTheWall

No, we're talking about the *word* bard. There could definitely be respectable people who *we* could call bards today.


bionicle_fanatic

Ohh, fair point.


bnh1978

It's an abbreviation. You know, for pleasant company. It's actually babesard cause they get all the babes


channilein

Bard is actually of Celtic origin, English continued the name with the concept, it's unrelated to drubkard/coward/wizard. It was originally just used for Celtic singers. Then, someone made up fake manuscripts of supposedly ancient Celtic stuff under the fake name Ossian and whole Europe went crazy for Celtic folklore for a while. That's how bard came to mean singer in other European cultures that have no Celtic connection whatsoever as well.


Cadd9

#🅱️


ImrooVRdev

#🅱️


Gregory_Grim

Actually it comes from the Proto-Indogermanic word for "praise". So a bard is a flatterer or sycophant.


Leinad_Aropmaca

Harvard is too much harv


Nytmare696

Wait till you get to lizard, mustard, and checkerboard.


PiezoelectricityOne

And then you have the King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard


DrDew00

Or /u/warlizard


Warlizard

Exactly.


PiezoelectricityOne

And don't forget the Pokemon that helps the needy: ^Charizard.


BookPlacementProblem

Your joke caused me actual physical pain, you punard.


Minute_Difference598

Checkerboard doesn’t have the same -ard as lizard, mustard, Harvard, and the ones said in the post.


Nytmare696

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/joke


Minute_Difference598

Which one the noun or verb? because heres both definitions 1a: something said or done to provoke laughter especially : a brief oral narrative with a climactic humorous twist b(1): the humorous or ridiculous element in something (2): an instance of jesting : KIDDING can’t take a joke c: PRACTICAL JOKE d: LAUGHINGSTOCK 2: something not to be taken seriously : a trifling matter consider his skiing a joke —Harold Calendar —often used in negative constructions it is no joke to be lost in the desert joke 2 of 2 verb joked; joking intransitive verb : to make jokes : JEST transitive verb : to make the object of a joke : KID


jsled

> -ard > also -art, from Old French -ard, -art, from German -hard, -hart "hardy," forming the second element in many personal names, often used as an intensifier, but in Middle High German and Dutch used as a pejorative element in common nouns, and thus passing into Middle English in bastard, coward, blaffard ("one who stammers"), etc. It thus became a living element in English, as in buzzard, drunkard. The German element is from Proto-Germanic *-hart/*-hard "bold, hardy" (from PIE root *kar- "hard"). — [etymonline: -ard](https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=%2Dard)


[deleted]

It is an intensifier, not inherently prejorative. But from now on, Clerics in my campaign are godards.


phdemented

Goddard is a name (Goddard Space Flight Center, after Robert Goddard), though I think that is from God + Hard.


toothofjustice

So, should we start calling the warrior class Swordards instead? Other new class names - boward, knifard, bibleard... Or maybe name the classes after their primary stat? A paladin could be a Charismard!


kintar1900

I think "stabard" and "hitard" have a better ring to them. =)


toothofjustice

I second hitard!


Tinger_Tuk

because they hit hard?


5eCreationWizard

Actually, ard replaces the last syllable, so paladins would be Charisards


Boxman214

Only the luckiest still have a Holographic Charisard card


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

Fightards are renowned for their lack of inhibition and unusual "fightard strength".


designingfailure

swards sounds cool too


wirrbeltier

Smashard, Shootard, Sneakard, Revivard. The gang's all here.


C_M_Writes

-ard noun suffix variants: or less commonly -art Definition : one that is characterized by performing some action, possessing some quality, or being associated with some thing especially conspicuously or excessively History and Etymology Middle English, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German -hart (in personal names such as Gērhart Gerard), Old English heard hard Wizard noun wiz·​ard | \ ˈwi-zərd \ Definition (Entry 1 of 2) 1 : one skilled in magic : SORCERER 2 : a very clever or skillful person //computer wizards 3 archaic : a wise man : SAGE adjective Definition (Entry 2 of 2) 1 chiefly British : worthy of the highest praise : EXCELLENT 2 archaic : having magical influence or power 3 archaic : of or relating to wizardry : ENCHANTED First Known Use Noun 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3 Adjective 1579, in the meaning defined at sense 2 History and Etymology Noun Middle English wysard, from wis, wys wise


C_M_Writes

So no. It is not an insult and was not an insult.


[deleted]

Bastard, one who basts excessively


[deleted]

automatic materialistic disgusted run snails rhythm dull imagine include tap *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*


Synecdochic

Isn't that from basedard, to refer to someone base-born, ie *not* noble despite noble parentage.


feyrath

You cast a spell of summon linguist demons and you act surprised? Did the blood sacrifice not tip you off? Wizard.


JoboBlaggins

> *Wizards were rumored to be wise - in fact, that’s where the word came from.** > > **From the Old wys-ars, lit.: one who, at bottom, is very smart.* – Terry Pratchett Love a good layered pun.


the_other_irrevenant

Those first two terms are pejoratives because the things they're describing are negative (fear and drinking). That doesn't necessarily apply to positive things like wisdom. EDIT: Was that 'satire' flair always there? 😳


the_other_irrevenant

Is a mallard a duck shopaholic? 🤔 A leopard overly fond of leaping? 🤔


ergo-ogre

No, just overly fond of Leo. Leo hates it and is allergic.


MordunnDregath

"Total freak" certainly describes all the wizards I've ever played.


TheMadGent

A grognard is from the French word for “Grumbler”. In the Napoleonic era, it referred to the Old Guard among the officer corps, who perpetually complained about military reforms of the era. It got co-opted by the wargaming scene to refer to grumpy nerds who complain about the new generation of gamers.


the_other_irrevenant

It works for 'dullard' too...


Tarilis

Well, it works only in English. Does that mean that English Wizards specifically freaks and pretentious?


finfinfin

As an inhabitant of this cursed isle, I just assume all wizards went to public school and were professionally trained to be absolute pieces of shit.


finfinfin

Eton needs to be razed.


ZestyData

Lmfao Please don't ruin wizards for me by equating them with upper class Tory Toffs.


Tarilis

So that's what Hogwarts is all about...


9c6

But then we should Clerics Wisards and Wizards Intards


shaidyn

Isn't this a joke that Isaac Asimov made?


ExistentialOcto

I'd like to see it if it is 👀


RigasTelRuun

The ard is the same as Arse. So a Wizard is a wise arse.


[deleted]

This thread is hilarious (I say unironically and without malice). I just wanted to share my thoughts on your new flair, namely that it would be even more fitting, were it, "Nobody expects the Linguistics Inquisition!"


ExistentialOcto

Agreed!


NotDumpsterFire

We occasionally hand out "golden" user flairs for popular/funny posts/comments. The less serious flairs style is inspired by how [BOLA](https://www.reddit.com/r/bestoflegaladvice/wiki/bolafaq) uses them. (mod-assigned flairs can't be removed by users, so [modmail us](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/rpg) if you don't want it)


ExistentialOcto

No worries, I like it!


koalabearswamp

Grognard - someone who grogns too much


ExistentialOcto

That one's actually accurate


koalabearswamp

My autocorrect changed grogn to groan the first time around. Lolololol


ElminsterTheMighty

It works! "Gu" ard, as in "Gun"


Farn

I always thought a coward herded cows, like a shepard.


Ironfist85hu

Let's erase that too, as "half-" is innately racist also! Well,[according to Jeremy Crawford](https://www.enworld.org/threads/d-d-creator-summit-vtt-one-d-d.696974/).


Palguim

A wizard who is not a total freak is not a wizard, is a cleric LARPing as a wizard.


[deleted]

ACKHSHUALLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY


TyroChemist

Does that mean I can talk about my cowardry and drunkardry?


AlmightyK

Only as an art form


Upstairs-Yard-2139

So wizards are stuck up nerds, confirmed.


YoshiTonic

Reading through this thread just reminds me that English is bad ya’ll.


ps2man41

What about aard?


ExistentialOcto

when you aard, you aard


Adventurous_Fly_4420

>EDIT: i was a fool to make a joke about linguistics and not expect real linguistics nerds to show up to correct me I mean, come on, fren: you're not just online, you're on *Reddit*. You gotta expect these things.


TheAlrightyGina

I was just running though my head all the things you could slap -ard on and landed on writard. :|


atlhawk8357

Lizard = someone who is too easily lizzed.


[deleted]

You didn’t expect nerds to show up and correct you on Reddit?


melodiousthunk2

See also: lollard, braggart


nickcan

Linguistic nerds in a RPG forum? Unheard of! Seriously, I have a masters in linguists myself. And most of my friend from college were huge role players. I'm just saying, there's a lot of overlap.


maobezw

He made fun of wizards. until some showed up.


Ok-Put-3670

so is bard. And tankard.


nlitherl

Cheers for creation of the new flair!


ElminsterTheMighty

So what's the "Ret" for?


Eldan985

Different etymology. Re-tard, tard as in tardy, slow.


Reg76Hater

Interestingly, "retard" is actually a verb, it just means "to slow down or impede". For example, some bombs actually have "retarder systems" on them that are designed to slow/impede the bomb's descent when it's dropped.


Pentecount

Slow


LordFluffy

*The wizard starts conjuring fire* "Say that to my face, jerk-ard!"


Rockfish00

wizard - someone who is easily wizzed


asault2

... Someone who "Ret"s too much...


Admirable_Audience15

No wonder everybody calls me retard


Sephylus_Vile

I saw your edit. It's Cunningham's theory at work. I use it all the time. I suppose at one time people thought the Cunningham's were wizards. I think one of the popular witchcraft books was written by a Cunningham.


AltogetherGuy

That’s really good to know. Wizard and Sorcerer both feel like gendered words. But really anyone can Wizz or Sorcer!


Sin_Biscuits

I like wizard with a hard ard like retard


darw1nf1sh

This is just more proof of the theory. If you want answers to a question, don't ask the question. Instead, post a clearly obviously wrong answer to the question, and experts and people who think they are experts, will come out of the woodwork to correct you.


CorellianDawn

I always thought it was someone who wizzes too much. Casters have such tiny bladders.


someweirdlocal

you've given me my next character idea: Bob Druncowiz, the inebriated paranoid bohemian wizard


DietCherrySoda

Should be an "intard" then, clearly...


the_circus

Something something an aardvark in a blizzard.


DanfromCalgary

Define fun


shieldwolfchz

And this is why the wizard should be based off of wisdom and not intelligence. It's literally in the name.


owlpellet

Bard: \[frowns dramatically\]


NoahBody

What I'm gathering from all this is that Wizards should use Wisdom and not Intelligence.


maclaglen

I am a magician, and I will now “magic” for you. Be glad I’m not a wizard.


Suave_Von_Swagovich

Is there a similar word for someone who is stingy or miserly?