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What is the in-universe explanation for “Waterdhavian†being the adjectival form of Waterdeep?
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The Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide uses the term "Waterdhavian" throughout, suggesting an etymology for "deep" here that is different than simply the English word deep, but this is never addressed in that supplement.
Is the origin of the name "Waterdeep" explained in-universe in some Forgotten Realms content (game books or novels) to justify the construction "Waterdhavian"?
I suspect that out-of-game it's that the designers wanted to avoid the silly-sounding "Waterdeeper", though I doubt they'd admit that on record, and I'm curious if there's an in-world explanation.
dungeons-and-dragons forgotten-realms lore
edited Aug 16 at 6:12
V2Blast
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asked Aug 15 at 20:03
J. Foster
2,67921529
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up vote
14
down vote
favorite
The Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide uses the term "Waterdhavian" throughout, suggesting an etymology for "deep" here that is different than simply the English word deep, but this is never addressed in that supplement.
Is the origin of the name "Waterdeep" explained in-universe in some Forgotten Realms content (game books or novels) to justify the construction "Waterdhavian"?
I suspect that out-of-game it's that the designers wanted to avoid the silly-sounding "Waterdeeper", though I doubt they'd admit that on record, and I'm curious if there's an in-world explanation.
dungeons-and-dragons forgotten-realms lore
edited Aug 16 at 6:12
V2Blast
13.4k23386
asked Aug 15 at 20:03
J. Foster
2,67921529
2
Note to answerers: If your answer is not citing lore or some direct designer source then it is not answering this question. This question is not asking for, nor do we ever accept, answers purely based on speculation.
– Rubiksmoose
Aug 16 at 1:37
2
Topicality of this question discussed on meta.
– nitsua60♦
Aug 16 at 2:19
add a comment |Â
up vote
14
down vote
favorite
up vote
14
down vote
favorite
The Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide uses the term "Waterdhavian" throughout, suggesting an etymology for "deep" here that is different than simply the English word deep, but this is never addressed in that supplement.
Is the origin of the name "Waterdeep" explained in-universe in some Forgotten Realms content (game books or novels) to justify the construction "Waterdhavian"?
I suspect that out-of-game it's that the designers wanted to avoid the silly-sounding "Waterdeeper", though I doubt they'd admit that on record, and I'm curious if there's an in-world explanation.
dungeons-and-dragons forgotten-realms lore
edited Aug 16 at 6:12
V2Blast
13.4k23386
asked Aug 15 at 20:03
J. Foster
2,67921529
The Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide uses the term "Waterdhavian" throughout, suggesting an etymology for "deep" here that is different than simply the English word deep, but this is never addressed in that supplement.
Is the origin of the name "Waterdeep" explained in-universe in some Forgotten Realms content (game books or novels) to justify the construction "Waterdhavian"?
I suspect that out-of-game it's that the designers wanted to avoid the silly-sounding "Waterdeeper", though I doubt they'd admit that on record, and I'm curious if there's an in-world explanation.
dungeons-and-dragons forgotten-realms lore
edited Aug 16 at 6:12
V2Blast
13.4k23386
asked Aug 15 at 20:03
J. Foster
2,67921529
edited Aug 16 at 6:12
V2Blast
13.4k23386
edited Aug 16 at 6:12
V2Blast
13.4k23386
edited Aug 16 at 6:12
V2Blast
13.4k23386
13.4k23386
asked Aug 15 at 20:03
J. Foster
2,67921529
asked Aug 15 at 20:03
J. Foster
2,67921529
asked Aug 15 at 20:03
J. Foster
2,67921529
2,67921529
2
Note to answerers: If your answer is not citing lore or some direct designer source then it is not answering this question. This question is not asking for, nor do we ever accept, answers purely based on speculation.
– Rubiksmoose
Aug 16 at 1:37
2
Topicality of this question discussed on meta.
– nitsua60♦
Aug 16 at 2:19
add a comment |Â
2
Note to answerers: If your answer is not citing lore or some direct designer source then it is not answering this question. This question is not asking for, nor do we ever accept, answers purely based on speculation.
– Rubiksmoose
Aug 16 at 1:37
2
Topicality of this question discussed on meta.
– nitsua60♦
Aug 16 at 2:19
2
2
Note to answerers: If your answer is not citing lore or some direct designer source then it is not answering this question. This question is not asking for, nor do we ever accept, answers purely based on speculation.
– Rubiksmoose
Aug 16 at 1:37
Note to answerers: If your answer is not citing lore or some direct designer source then it is not answering this question. This question is not asking for, nor do we ever accept, answers purely based on speculation.
– Rubiksmoose
Aug 16 at 1:37
2
2
Topicality of this question discussed on meta.
– nitsua60♦
Aug 16 at 2:19
Topicality of this question discussed on meta.
– nitsua60♦
Aug 16 at 2:19
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
20
down vote
It is explained by in-universe etymology
Candlekeep.com's Forgotten Realms FAQ quotes Ed Greenwood, creator of the Forgotten Realms, as saying:
"ahaeva" in Auld Common (early human trade tongue) meant 'I am from'
or 'I make my home at' or even 'I make my home here/this is my
home'...thus, a person from Waterdeep (an early trademoot of the
North, remember), is a "Waterdhavian." Clumsy, but better than
"Waterdeepian." (4.23. "What's a Waterdhavian?")
Thus, it is clear that the in-universe reason is because, in Auld common, the suffix "-ahaeva" meant "I am from" and thus made a lot of sense to append to a demonym1. And the in-universe (and likely out-of-universe) reason that they choose this particular suffix is because "Waterdeepian" sounded bad.
Interestingly, as pointed out by @ZwiQ's answer, the 2e sourcebook Forgotten Realms Adventures lists another city as having the same demonym suffix.
Westgate: Westhavian or Westar (either is correct). (FRA 73)
1 - Thanks @SevenSidedDie for teaching me a new word today!
answered Aug 16 at 3:08
Rubiksmoose
36.3k5186280
1
I fixed the spelling on "demonym" and linked the Wikipedia page for it since it's kind of obscure. Cool word. Too bad the correct spelling makes it look like a name for demons.
– Bloodcinder
Aug 16 at 13:41
add a comment |Â
up vote
8
down vote
The 2e sourcebook Forgotten Realms Adventures (FRA) gives a list of adjectives used for the citizens of 27 cities/regions of the Heartlands (page 73). It seems like Ed Greenwood has chosen various different adjectives (sometimes more than one per location) for flavor. Quoting an example:
It can be both cumbersome and confusing, in play, to refer over and over to the people of Calimshan rather than employing the common Realms term Calishite. (It is also important to know that Calishite is acceptable, but Calimite is, for some reason, a deadly insult.)
Among the 27 locations for which FRA lists adjectives, there is another city, Westgate, whose citizens can be named with the suffix "-havian", showing that the suffix is not unique to Waterdeep:
Westgate: Westhavian or Westar (either is correct).
In a discussion on Candlekeep forums from June 2004, Ed Greenwood is reported to have noted that "-ahave" is a suffix that meant "I am from".
answered Aug 16 at 0:18
ZwiQ
6,93222153
1
It's probably best to wait until you can provide the necessary source and backup before posting it as an answer.
– Purple Monkey
Aug 16 at 0:22
@PurpleMonkey: I started adding sources.
– ZwiQ
Aug 16 at 0:38
2
This answer has at least a couple issues. 1) It does not appear to actually answer the question of why it is named such though it seems to be a fine start to an answer. 2) It does not seem to have proper sourcing for the one part that comes closest to answering the question. Wait until you have the proper sources and then answer. It is not a race.
– Rubiksmoose
Aug 16 at 1:32
5
NB the precise term for an adjective denoting the residency/citizenry/origin of a person is “demonymâ€Â, which is distinct from the adjectival form of a place (as used for things originating there).
– SevenSidedDie♦
Aug 16 at 1:32
2
Yep, demonyns matching the adjectival form of the location happens in the real world too. The rule is it’s called a “demonym†when it’s about people.
– SevenSidedDie♦
Aug 16 at 5:29
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
-1
down vote
I don't know if there's a lore-based explanation or an official statement about this, but I decided to take a look at the names for people coming from real countries. Another interesting, more compartmentalized list can be found here.
Searching this list for "*ians" yields a few interesting results, which don't only include obvious origins such as Austria -> Austrians. The second list actually even has a section that lists countries whose inhabitants are called something that ends on "-vian".
Take a look at these (all taken from the second list):
- Oamaru → Oamaruvian, why not Oamaru?
- Oslo → Oslovian, why not Oslonian?
- Peru → Peruvian, why not Peruer? Or Peruist?
- Warsaw → Warsovian, why not Warsawer?
- Waterloo → Waterluvian, why not Waterlooer? (this is actually pretty close to Waterdhavian)
- Wythenshawe → Wythenshavian, why not Wythenshawer?
I could start listing examples from the first list, but there are just too many examples.
I think in the end, simply those demonyms survived that sounded best. I'm guessing it's the same with "Waterdhavians" - "Waterdeepers", "Waterdeeps", "Waterdeepite" or "Waterdeepard" just sound dumb.
"Waterdeepans" or "Waterdeepians" would have been somewhat ok, but it doesn't sound as fancy.
And let's be honest - if you have to come up with names for badass fantasy cities, you're gonna go for something fancy.
answered Aug 15 at 20:46
PixelMaster
6,4752074
1
Oh, interesting. All of the places you've listed either have terminal labial consonants -- i.e., consonant sounds formed by action of the lips (like "w") -- or terminal rounded vowels (u and o) also formed via the lips. And all of them have "-vian" demonyms, where the demonymic form starts with v, a labiodental formed with the lips. Maybe that's a clue? If not, it's quite a coincidence.
– screamline
Aug 15 at 21:11
1
Note that some of those are vastly different in their original language too. Peruvian are actually called "Peruanos" both in spanish and portuguese.
– ShadowKras
Aug 15 at 21:22
well, “Waterdhavian“ is English as well, though, not waterdhavian/waterdhavish/... itself.
– PixelMaster
Aug 15 at 21:36
@Korvin Jokes like that super don’t fly here.
– SevenSidedDie♦
Aug 15 at 22:29
3
Does any of this come from lore or designers as the question asks? This reads essentially like pure speculation on your part.
– Rubiksmoose
Aug 16 at 1:25
 |Â
show 1 more comment
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
20
down vote
It is explained by in-universe etymology
Candlekeep.com's Forgotten Realms FAQ quotes Ed Greenwood, creator of the Forgotten Realms, as saying:
"ahaeva" in Auld Common (early human trade tongue) meant 'I am from'
or 'I make my home at' or even 'I make my home here/this is my
home'...thus, a person from Waterdeep (an early trademoot of the
North, remember), is a "Waterdhavian." Clumsy, but better than
"Waterdeepian." (4.23. "What's a Waterdhavian?")
Thus, it is clear that the in-universe reason is because, in Auld common, the suffix "-ahaeva" meant "I am from" and thus made a lot of sense to append to a demonym1. And the in-universe (and likely out-of-universe) reason that they choose this particular suffix is because "Waterdeepian" sounded bad.
Interestingly, as pointed out by @ZwiQ's answer, the 2e sourcebook Forgotten Realms Adventures lists another city as having the same demonym suffix.
Westgate: Westhavian or Westar (either is correct). (FRA 73)
1 - Thanks @SevenSidedDie for teaching me a new word today!
answered Aug 16 at 3:08
Rubiksmoose
36.3k5186280
1
I fixed the spelling on "demonym" and linked the Wikipedia page for it since it's kind of obscure. Cool word. Too bad the correct spelling makes it look like a name for demons.
– Bloodcinder
Aug 16 at 13:41
add a comment |Â
up vote
20
down vote
It is explained by in-universe etymology
Candlekeep.com's Forgotten Realms FAQ quotes Ed Greenwood, creator of the Forgotten Realms, as saying:
"ahaeva" in Auld Common (early human trade tongue) meant 'I am from'
or 'I make my home at' or even 'I make my home here/this is my
home'...thus, a person from Waterdeep (an early trademoot of the
North, remember), is a "Waterdhavian." Clumsy, but better than
"Waterdeepian." (4.23. "What's a Waterdhavian?")
Thus, it is clear that the in-universe reason is because, in Auld common, the suffix "-ahaeva" meant "I am from" and thus made a lot of sense to append to a demonym1. And the in-universe (and likely out-of-universe) reason that they choose this particular suffix is because "Waterdeepian" sounded bad.
Interestingly, as pointed out by @ZwiQ's answer, the 2e sourcebook Forgotten Realms Adventures lists another city as having the same demonym suffix.
Westgate: Westhavian or Westar (either is correct). (FRA 73)
1 - Thanks @SevenSidedDie for teaching me a new word today!
answered Aug 16 at 3:08
Rubiksmoose
36.3k5186280
1
I fixed the spelling on "demonym" and linked the Wikipedia page for it since it's kind of obscure. Cool word. Too bad the correct spelling makes it look like a name for demons.
– Bloodcinder
Aug 16 at 13:41
add a comment |Â
up vote
20
down vote
up vote
20
down vote
It is explained by in-universe etymology
Candlekeep.com's Forgotten Realms FAQ quotes Ed Greenwood, creator of the Forgotten Realms, as saying:
"ahaeva" in Auld Common (early human trade tongue) meant 'I am from'
or 'I make my home at' or even 'I make my home here/this is my
home'...thus, a person from Waterdeep (an early trademoot of the
North, remember), is a "Waterdhavian." Clumsy, but better than
"Waterdeepian." (4.23. "What's a Waterdhavian?")
Thus, it is clear that the in-universe reason is because, in Auld common, the suffix "-ahaeva" meant "I am from" and thus made a lot of sense to append to a demonym1. And the in-universe (and likely out-of-universe) reason that they choose this particular suffix is because "Waterdeepian" sounded bad.
Interestingly, as pointed out by @ZwiQ's answer, the 2e sourcebook Forgotten Realms Adventures lists another city as having the same demonym suffix.
Westgate: Westhavian or Westar (either is correct). (FRA 73)
1 - Thanks @SevenSidedDie for teaching me a new word today!
answered Aug 16 at 3:08
Rubiksmoose
36.3k5186280
It is explained by in-universe etymology
Candlekeep.com's Forgotten Realms FAQ quotes Ed Greenwood, creator of the Forgotten Realms, as saying:
"ahaeva" in Auld Common (early human trade tongue) meant 'I am from'
or 'I make my home at' or even 'I make my home here/this is my
home'...thus, a person from Waterdeep (an early trademoot of the
North, remember), is a "Waterdhavian." Clumsy, but better than
"Waterdeepian." (4.23. "What's a Waterdhavian?")
Thus, it is clear that the in-universe reason is because, in Auld common, the suffix "-ahaeva" meant "I am from" and thus made a lot of sense to append to a demonym1. And the in-universe (and likely out-of-universe) reason that they choose this particular suffix is because "Waterdeepian" sounded bad.
Interestingly, as pointed out by @ZwiQ's answer, the 2e sourcebook Forgotten Realms Adventures lists another city as having the same demonym suffix.
Westgate: Westhavian or Westar (either is correct). (FRA 73)
1 - Thanks @SevenSidedDie for teaching me a new word today!
answered Aug 16 at 3:08
Rubiksmoose
36.3k5186280
edited Aug 16 at 16:46
answered Aug 16 at 3:08
Rubiksmoose
36.3k5186280
answered Aug 16 at 3:08
Rubiksmoose
36.3k5186280
answered Aug 16 at 3:08
Rubiksmoose
36.3k5186280
36.3k5186280
1
I fixed the spelling on "demonym" and linked the Wikipedia page for it since it's kind of obscure. Cool word. Too bad the correct spelling makes it look like a name for demons.
– Bloodcinder
Aug 16 at 13:41
add a comment |Â
1
I fixed the spelling on "demonym" and linked the Wikipedia page for it since it's kind of obscure. Cool word. Too bad the correct spelling makes it look like a name for demons.
– Bloodcinder
Aug 16 at 13:41
1
1
I fixed the spelling on "demonym" and linked the Wikipedia page for it since it's kind of obscure. Cool word. Too bad the correct spelling makes it look like a name for demons.
– Bloodcinder
Aug 16 at 13:41
I fixed the spelling on "demonym" and linked the Wikipedia page for it since it's kind of obscure. Cool word. Too bad the correct spelling makes it look like a name for demons.
– Bloodcinder
Aug 16 at 13:41
add a comment |Â
up vote
8
down vote
The 2e sourcebook Forgotten Realms Adventures (FRA) gives a list of adjectives used for the citizens of 27 cities/regions of the Heartlands (page 73). It seems like Ed Greenwood has chosen various different adjectives (sometimes more than one per location) for flavor. Quoting an example:
It can be both cumbersome and confusing, in play, to refer over and over to the people of Calimshan rather than employing the common Realms term Calishite. (It is also important to know that Calishite is acceptable, but Calimite is, for some reason, a deadly insult.)
Among the 27 locations for which FRA lists adjectives, there is another city, Westgate, whose citizens can be named with the suffix "-havian", showing that the suffix is not unique to Waterdeep:
Westgate: Westhavian or Westar (either is correct).
In a discussion on Candlekeep forums from June 2004, Ed Greenwood is reported to have noted that "-ahave" is a suffix that meant "I am from".
answered Aug 16 at 0:18
ZwiQ
6,93222153
1
It's probably best to wait until you can provide the necessary source and backup before posting it as an answer.
– Purple Monkey
Aug 16 at 0:22
@PurpleMonkey: I started adding sources.
– ZwiQ
Aug 16 at 0:38
2
This answer has at least a couple issues. 1) It does not appear to actually answer the question of why it is named such though it seems to be a fine start to an answer. 2) It does not seem to have proper sourcing for the one part that comes closest to answering the question. Wait until you have the proper sources and then answer. It is not a race.
– Rubiksmoose
Aug 16 at 1:32
5
NB the precise term for an adjective denoting the residency/citizenry/origin of a person is “demonymâ€Â, which is distinct from the adjectival form of a place (as used for things originating there).
– SevenSidedDie♦
Aug 16 at 1:32
2
Yep, demonyns matching the adjectival form of the location happens in the real world too. The rule is it’s called a “demonym†when it’s about people.
– SevenSidedDie♦
Aug 16 at 5:29
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
8
down vote
The 2e sourcebook Forgotten Realms Adventures (FRA) gives a list of adjectives used for the citizens of 27 cities/regions of the Heartlands (page 73). It seems like Ed Greenwood has chosen various different adjectives (sometimes more than one per location) for flavor. Quoting an example:
It can be both cumbersome and confusing, in play, to refer over and over to the people of Calimshan rather than employing the common Realms term Calishite. (It is also important to know that Calishite is acceptable, but Calimite is, for some reason, a deadly insult.)
Among the 27 locations for which FRA lists adjectives, there is another city, Westgate, whose citizens can be named with the suffix "-havian", showing that the suffix is not unique to Waterdeep:
Westgate: Westhavian or Westar (either is correct).
In a discussion on Candlekeep forums from June 2004, Ed Greenwood is reported to have noted that "-ahave" is a suffix that meant "I am from".
answered Aug 16 at 0:18
ZwiQ
6,93222153
1
It's probably best to wait until you can provide the necessary source and backup before posting it as an answer.
– Purple Monkey
Aug 16 at 0:22
@PurpleMonkey: I started adding sources.
– ZwiQ
Aug 16 at 0:38
2
This answer has at least a couple issues. 1) It does not appear to actually answer the question of why it is named such though it seems to be a fine start to an answer. 2) It does not seem to have proper sourcing for the one part that comes closest to answering the question. Wait until you have the proper sources and then answer. It is not a race.
– Rubiksmoose
Aug 16 at 1:32
5
NB the precise term for an adjective denoting the residency/citizenry/origin of a person is “demonymâ€Â, which is distinct from the adjectival form of a place (as used for things originating there).
– SevenSidedDie♦
Aug 16 at 1:32
2
Yep, demonyns matching the adjectival form of the location happens in the real world too. The rule is it’s called a “demonym†when it’s about people.
– SevenSidedDie♦
Aug 16 at 5:29
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
8
down vote
up vote
8
down vote
The 2e sourcebook Forgotten Realms Adventures (FRA) gives a list of adjectives used for the citizens of 27 cities/regions of the Heartlands (page 73). It seems like Ed Greenwood has chosen various different adjectives (sometimes more than one per location) for flavor. Quoting an example:
It can be both cumbersome and confusing, in play, to refer over and over to the people of Calimshan rather than employing the common Realms term Calishite. (It is also important to know that Calishite is acceptable, but Calimite is, for some reason, a deadly insult.)
Among the 27 locations for which FRA lists adjectives, there is another city, Westgate, whose citizens can be named with the suffix "-havian", showing that the suffix is not unique to Waterdeep:
Westgate: Westhavian or Westar (either is correct).
In a discussion on Candlekeep forums from June 2004, Ed Greenwood is reported to have noted that "-ahave" is a suffix that meant "I am from".
answered Aug 16 at 0:18
ZwiQ
6,93222153
The 2e sourcebook Forgotten Realms Adventures (FRA) gives a list of adjectives used for the citizens of 27 cities/regions of the Heartlands (page 73). It seems like Ed Greenwood has chosen various different adjectives (sometimes more than one per location) for flavor. Quoting an example:
It can be both cumbersome and confusing, in play, to refer over and over to the people of Calimshan rather than employing the common Realms term Calishite. (It is also important to know that Calishite is acceptable, but Calimite is, for some reason, a deadly insult.)
Among the 27 locations for which FRA lists adjectives, there is another city, Westgate, whose citizens can be named with the suffix "-havian", showing that the suffix is not unique to Waterdeep:
Westgate: Westhavian or Westar (either is correct).
In a discussion on Candlekeep forums from June 2004, Ed Greenwood is reported to have noted that "-ahave" is a suffix that meant "I am from".
answered Aug 16 at 0:18
ZwiQ
6,93222153
edited Aug 16 at 1:12
answered Aug 16 at 0:18
ZwiQ
6,93222153
answered Aug 16 at 0:18
ZwiQ
6,93222153
answered Aug 16 at 0:18
ZwiQ
6,93222153
6,93222153
1
It's probably best to wait until you can provide the necessary source and backup before posting it as an answer.
– Purple Monkey
Aug 16 at 0:22
@PurpleMonkey: I started adding sources.
– ZwiQ
Aug 16 at 0:38
2
This answer has at least a couple issues. 1) It does not appear to actually answer the question of why it is named such though it seems to be a fine start to an answer. 2) It does not seem to have proper sourcing for the one part that comes closest to answering the question. Wait until you have the proper sources and then answer. It is not a race.
– Rubiksmoose
Aug 16 at 1:32
5
NB the precise term for an adjective denoting the residency/citizenry/origin of a person is “demonymâ€Â, which is distinct from the adjectival form of a place (as used for things originating there).
– SevenSidedDie♦
Aug 16 at 1:32
2
Yep, demonyns matching the adjectival form of the location happens in the real world too. The rule is it’s called a “demonym†when it’s about people.
– SevenSidedDie♦
Aug 16 at 5:29
 |Â
show 2 more comments
1
It's probably best to wait until you can provide the necessary source and backup before posting it as an answer.
– Purple Monkey
Aug 16 at 0:22
@PurpleMonkey: I started adding sources.
– ZwiQ
Aug 16 at 0:38
2
This answer has at least a couple issues. 1) It does not appear to actually answer the question of why it is named such though it seems to be a fine start to an answer. 2) It does not seem to have proper sourcing for the one part that comes closest to answering the question. Wait until you have the proper sources and then answer. It is not a race.
– Rubiksmoose
Aug 16 at 1:32
5
NB the precise term for an adjective denoting the residency/citizenry/origin of a person is “demonymâ€Â, which is distinct from the adjectival form of a place (as used for things originating there).
– SevenSidedDie♦
Aug 16 at 1:32
2
Yep, demonyns matching the adjectival form of the location happens in the real world too. The rule is it’s called a “demonym†when it’s about people.
– SevenSidedDie♦
Aug 16 at 5:29
1
1
It's probably best to wait until you can provide the necessary source and backup before posting it as an answer.
– Purple Monkey
Aug 16 at 0:22
It's probably best to wait until you can provide the necessary source and backup before posting it as an answer.
– Purple Monkey
Aug 16 at 0:22
@PurpleMonkey: I started adding sources.
– ZwiQ
Aug 16 at 0:38
@PurpleMonkey: I started adding sources.
– ZwiQ
Aug 16 at 0:38
2
2
This answer has at least a couple issues. 1) It does not appear to actually answer the question of why it is named such though it seems to be a fine start to an answer. 2) It does not seem to have proper sourcing for the one part that comes closest to answering the question. Wait until you have the proper sources and then answer. It is not a race.
– Rubiksmoose
Aug 16 at 1:32
This answer has at least a couple issues. 1) It does not appear to actually answer the question of why it is named such though it seems to be a fine start to an answer. 2) It does not seem to have proper sourcing for the one part that comes closest to answering the question. Wait until you have the proper sources and then answer. It is not a race.
– Rubiksmoose
Aug 16 at 1:32
5
5
NB the precise term for an adjective denoting the residency/citizenry/origin of a person is “demonymâ€Â, which is distinct from the adjectival form of a place (as used for things originating there).
– SevenSidedDie♦
Aug 16 at 1:32
NB the precise term for an adjective denoting the residency/citizenry/origin of a person is “demonymâ€Â, which is distinct from the adjectival form of a place (as used for things originating there).
– SevenSidedDie♦
Aug 16 at 1:32
2
2
Yep, demonyns matching the adjectival form of the location happens in the real world too. The rule is it’s called a “demonym†when it’s about people.
– SevenSidedDie♦
Aug 16 at 5:29
Yep, demonyns matching the adjectival form of the location happens in the real world too. The rule is it’s called a “demonym†when it’s about people.
– SevenSidedDie♦
Aug 16 at 5:29
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
-1
down vote
I don't know if there's a lore-based explanation or an official statement about this, but I decided to take a look at the names for people coming from real countries. Another interesting, more compartmentalized list can be found here.
Searching this list for "*ians" yields a few interesting results, which don't only include obvious origins such as Austria -> Austrians. The second list actually even has a section that lists countries whose inhabitants are called something that ends on "-vian".
Take a look at these (all taken from the second list):
- Oamaru → Oamaruvian, why not Oamaru?
- Oslo → Oslovian, why not Oslonian?
- Peru → Peruvian, why not Peruer? Or Peruist?
- Warsaw → Warsovian, why not Warsawer?
- Waterloo → Waterluvian, why not Waterlooer? (this is actually pretty close to Waterdhavian)
- Wythenshawe → Wythenshavian, why not Wythenshawer?
I could start listing examples from the first list, but there are just too many examples.
I think in the end, simply those demonyms survived that sounded best. I'm guessing it's the same with "Waterdhavians" - "Waterdeepers", "Waterdeeps", "Waterdeepite" or "Waterdeepard" just sound dumb.
"Waterdeepans" or "Waterdeepians" would have been somewhat ok, but it doesn't sound as fancy.
And let's be honest - if you have to come up with names for badass fantasy cities, you're gonna go for something fancy.
answered Aug 15 at 20:46
PixelMaster
6,4752074
1
Oh, interesting. All of the places you've listed either have terminal labial consonants -- i.e., consonant sounds formed by action of the lips (like "w") -- or terminal rounded vowels (u and o) also formed via the lips. And all of them have "-vian" demonyms, where the demonymic form starts with v, a labiodental formed with the lips. Maybe that's a clue? If not, it's quite a coincidence.
– screamline
Aug 15 at 21:11
1
Note that some of those are vastly different in their original language too. Peruvian are actually called "Peruanos" both in spanish and portuguese.
– ShadowKras
Aug 15 at 21:22
well, “Waterdhavian“ is English as well, though, not waterdhavian/waterdhavish/... itself.
– PixelMaster
Aug 15 at 21:36
@Korvin Jokes like that super don’t fly here.
– SevenSidedDie♦
Aug 15 at 22:29
3
Does any of this come from lore or designers as the question asks? This reads essentially like pure speculation on your part.
– Rubiksmoose
Aug 16 at 1:25
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
-1
down vote
I don't know if there's a lore-based explanation or an official statement about this, but I decided to take a look at the names for people coming from real countries. Another interesting, more compartmentalized list can be found here.
Searching this list for "*ians" yields a few interesting results, which don't only include obvious origins such as Austria -> Austrians. The second list actually even has a section that lists countries whose inhabitants are called something that ends on "-vian".
Take a look at these (all taken from the second list):
- Oamaru → Oamaruvian, why not Oamaru?
- Oslo → Oslovian, why not Oslonian?
- Peru → Peruvian, why not Peruer? Or Peruist?
- Warsaw → Warsovian, why not Warsawer?
- Waterloo → Waterluvian, why not Waterlooer? (this is actually pretty close to Waterdhavian)
- Wythenshawe → Wythenshavian, why not Wythenshawer?
I could start listing examples from the first list, but there are just too many examples.
I think in the end, simply those demonyms survived that sounded best. I'm guessing it's the same with "Waterdhavians" - "Waterdeepers", "Waterdeeps", "Waterdeepite" or "Waterdeepard" just sound dumb.
"Waterdeepans" or "Waterdeepians" would have been somewhat ok, but it doesn't sound as fancy.
And let's be honest - if you have to come up with names for badass fantasy cities, you're gonna go for something fancy.
answered Aug 15 at 20:46
PixelMaster
6,4752074
1
Oh, interesting. All of the places you've listed either have terminal labial consonants -- i.e., consonant sounds formed by action of the lips (like "w") -- or terminal rounded vowels (u and o) also formed via the lips. And all of them have "-vian" demonyms, where the demonymic form starts with v, a labiodental formed with the lips. Maybe that's a clue? If not, it's quite a coincidence.
– screamline
Aug 15 at 21:11
1
Note that some of those are vastly different in their original language too. Peruvian are actually called "Peruanos" both in spanish and portuguese.
– ShadowKras
Aug 15 at 21:22
well, “Waterdhavian“ is English as well, though, not waterdhavian/waterdhavish/... itself.
– PixelMaster
Aug 15 at 21:36
@Korvin Jokes like that super don’t fly here.
– SevenSidedDie♦
Aug 15 at 22:29
3
Does any of this come from lore or designers as the question asks? This reads essentially like pure speculation on your part.
– Rubiksmoose
Aug 16 at 1:25
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
-1
down vote
up vote
-1
down vote
I don't know if there's a lore-based explanation or an official statement about this, but I decided to take a look at the names for people coming from real countries. Another interesting, more compartmentalized list can be found here.
Searching this list for "*ians" yields a few interesting results, which don't only include obvious origins such as Austria -> Austrians. The second list actually even has a section that lists countries whose inhabitants are called something that ends on "-vian".
Take a look at these (all taken from the second list):
- Oamaru → Oamaruvian, why not Oamaru?
- Oslo → Oslovian, why not Oslonian?
- Peru → Peruvian, why not Peruer? Or Peruist?
- Warsaw → Warsovian, why not Warsawer?
- Waterloo → Waterluvian, why not Waterlooer? (this is actually pretty close to Waterdhavian)
- Wythenshawe → Wythenshavian, why not Wythenshawer?
I could start listing examples from the first list, but there are just too many examples.
I think in the end, simply those demonyms survived that sounded best. I'm guessing it's the same with "Waterdhavians" - "Waterdeepers", "Waterdeeps", "Waterdeepite" or "Waterdeepard" just sound dumb.
"Waterdeepans" or "Waterdeepians" would have been somewhat ok, but it doesn't sound as fancy.
And let's be honest - if you have to come up with names for badass fantasy cities, you're gonna go for something fancy.
answered Aug 15 at 20:46
PixelMaster
6,4752074
I don't know if there's a lore-based explanation or an official statement about this, but I decided to take a look at the names for people coming from real countries. Another interesting, more compartmentalized list can be found here.
Searching this list for "*ians" yields a few interesting results, which don't only include obvious origins such as Austria -> Austrians. The second list actually even has a section that lists countries whose inhabitants are called something that ends on "-vian".
Take a look at these (all taken from the second list):
- Oamaru → Oamaruvian, why not Oamaru?
- Oslo → Oslovian, why not Oslonian?
- Peru → Peruvian, why not Peruer? Or Peruist?
- Warsaw → Warsovian, why not Warsawer?
- Waterloo → Waterluvian, why not Waterlooer? (this is actually pretty close to Waterdhavian)
- Wythenshawe → Wythenshavian, why not Wythenshawer?
I could start listing examples from the first list, but there are just too many examples.
I think in the end, simply those demonyms survived that sounded best. I'm guessing it's the same with "Waterdhavians" - "Waterdeepers", "Waterdeeps", "Waterdeepite" or "Waterdeepard" just sound dumb.
"Waterdeepans" or "Waterdeepians" would have been somewhat ok, but it doesn't sound as fancy.
And let's be honest - if you have to come up with names for badass fantasy cities, you're gonna go for something fancy.
answered Aug 15 at 20:46
PixelMaster
6,4752074
answered Aug 15 at 20:46
PixelMaster
6,4752074
answered Aug 15 at 20:46
PixelMaster
6,4752074
answered Aug 15 at 20:46
PixelMaster
6,4752074
6,4752074
1
Oh, interesting. All of the places you've listed either have terminal labial consonants -- i.e., consonant sounds formed by action of the lips (like "w") -- or terminal rounded vowels (u and o) also formed via the lips. And all of them have "-vian" demonyms, where the demonymic form starts with v, a labiodental formed with the lips. Maybe that's a clue? If not, it's quite a coincidence.
– screamline
Aug 15 at 21:11
1
Note that some of those are vastly different in their original language too. Peruvian are actually called "Peruanos" both in spanish and portuguese.
– ShadowKras
Aug 15 at 21:22
well, “Waterdhavian“ is English as well, though, not waterdhavian/waterdhavish/... itself.
– PixelMaster
Aug 15 at 21:36
@Korvin Jokes like that super don’t fly here.
– SevenSidedDie♦
Aug 15 at 22:29
3
Does any of this come from lore or designers as the question asks? This reads essentially like pure speculation on your part.
– Rubiksmoose
Aug 16 at 1:25
 |Â
show 1 more comment
1
Oh, interesting. All of the places you've listed either have terminal labial consonants -- i.e., consonant sounds formed by action of the lips (like "w") -- or terminal rounded vowels (u and o) also formed via the lips. And all of them have "-vian" demonyms, where the demonymic form starts with v, a labiodental formed with the lips. Maybe that's a clue? If not, it's quite a coincidence.
– screamline
Aug 15 at 21:11
1
Note that some of those are vastly different in their original language too. Peruvian are actually called "Peruanos" both in spanish and portuguese.
– ShadowKras
Aug 15 at 21:22
well, “Waterdhavian“ is English as well, though, not waterdhavian/waterdhavish/... itself.
– PixelMaster
Aug 15 at 21:36
@Korvin Jokes like that super don’t fly here.
– SevenSidedDie♦
Aug 15 at 22:29
3
Does any of this come from lore or designers as the question asks? This reads essentially like pure speculation on your part.
– Rubiksmoose
Aug 16 at 1:25
1
1
Oh, interesting. All of the places you've listed either have terminal labial consonants -- i.e., consonant sounds formed by action of the lips (like "w") -- or terminal rounded vowels (u and o) also formed via the lips. And all of them have "-vian" demonyms, where the demonymic form starts with v, a labiodental formed with the lips. Maybe that's a clue? If not, it's quite a coincidence.
– screamline
Aug 15 at 21:11
Oh, interesting. All of the places you've listed either have terminal labial consonants -- i.e., consonant sounds formed by action of the lips (like "w") -- or terminal rounded vowels (u and o) also formed via the lips. And all of them have "-vian" demonyms, where the demonymic form starts with v, a labiodental formed with the lips. Maybe that's a clue? If not, it's quite a coincidence.
– screamline
Aug 15 at 21:11
1
1
Note that some of those are vastly different in their original language too. Peruvian are actually called "Peruanos" both in spanish and portuguese.
– ShadowKras
Aug 15 at 21:22
Note that some of those are vastly different in their original language too. Peruvian are actually called "Peruanos" both in spanish and portuguese.
– ShadowKras
Aug 15 at 21:22
well, “Waterdhavian“ is English as well, though, not waterdhavian/waterdhavish/... itself.
– PixelMaster
Aug 15 at 21:36
well, “Waterdhavian“ is English as well, though, not waterdhavian/waterdhavish/... itself.
– PixelMaster
Aug 15 at 21:36
@Korvin Jokes like that super don’t fly here.
– SevenSidedDie♦
Aug 15 at 22:29
@Korvin Jokes like that super don’t fly here.
– SevenSidedDie♦
Aug 15 at 22:29
3
3
Does any of this come from lore or designers as the question asks? This reads essentially like pure speculation on your part.
– Rubiksmoose
Aug 16 at 1:25
Does any of this come from lore or designers as the question asks? This reads essentially like pure speculation on your part.
– Rubiksmoose
Aug 16 at 1:25
 |Â
show 1 more comment
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2
Note to answerers: If your answer is not citing lore or some direct designer source then it is not answering this question. This question is not asking for, nor do we ever accept, answers purely based on speculation.
– Rubiksmoose
Aug 16 at 1:37
2
Topicality of this question discussed on meta.
– nitsua60♦
Aug 16 at 2:19