Terminology Used in the Trilogy
Here is a list of some terms used within the books.
Sci-fi terms are given, as well as some US to UK English language counterparts. People from many nations will already understand US English from exports such as movies, books, and more.
This page is added to, and modified regularly, so check back occasionally for further info.
Sci-fi Terminology
Hizzey: A member of Homo Sapiens Sapiens – i.e. the (mostly) current human race.
Hoosen: A member of Homo Sapiens Novus – the newer successor to the above.
Provo: The previously unnamed successor in Volume I to Homo Sapiens Novus – more formally known as Homo Sapiens Provectus. This is the even newer experimental race to which Lutor belongs, and is amplified upon in the following two Volumes.
Orb: A musical instrument that is round like a ball. It has touch sensitive pads all round its surface. It is also a biofeedback device that is connected to the player’s skull via pads that pick up the player’s mood and other attributes, which are then passed along to the audience who wear similar pads on their skulls.
A good player who is “into” his or her work becomes emotionally or spiritually involved with their performance as they play, and this is passed to the audience, who frequently come out of performances acting as if they are under the influence of drugs.
As the authorities became aware of the hazards, driving an autocar set to manual or operating any other potentially hazardous machinery was outlawed following visiting performances for a period of forty-eight hours. The law operates in a similar manner to the current well-known ban on driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Libration zone: A strip of land in an area of a planet or moon where other planetary bodies bob in and out of view over the horizon. This occurs because many planets or moons “wobble” slightly in their orbits for a number of factors. So for example, someone standing in the libration zone on the Moon would see planet Earth bob in and out of view on the horizon on a regular basis.
Pacat: A hand-held communication device invented by Ms. Pacat, though she announced later that the acronym “Personal Advanced Communication Applications Terminal” suited the device better.
The device is connected via electromagnetic waves to an embedded chip in a person’s forearm near the elbow. It can transmit all required information about an individual for security purposes, or can connect to banks and other organizations. It also functions as a powerful personal computer, and operates in a similar manner to a much refined cell or mobile phone.
It incorporates a refined GPS unit so the user can fix their location anywhere within the solar system. During the era of the first book, coverage is limited to within our own system, but this coverage is extended over time in the later books.
It incorporates a virtual screen that appears above the device that defaults to about 30 cm (roughly a foot) wide on each side. However, as the screen is virtual, it can be enlarged or shrunk according to the demands of the situation.
Autocar: A standard automated car that does not require a human to operate it. An onboard computer takes the place of the driver. However, certain sports cars and others are provided with a manual override so that a passenger can then take on the role of the driver. The car does not usually have wheels, but instead sits just above the surface on an energy field. However, in some very rough terrain, wheeled or tracked vehicles are still used as they are more rugged, and can carry heavier loads.
Skimmer: An aircraft in regular service by airlines that flies at around 100,000 feet. It literally skims or skips across the top of the rarefied atmosphere at many times the speed of sound. It can reach most places on Earth in under three hours. The sky at this altitude is midnight blue/black, and the curvature of the Earth can be clearly seen.
Medi-Made: A type of device connected to a computer that is rather like a printer. However, instead of 2D printing on paper, it “prints” in 3D, so can make actual objects. This device is different from everyday 3D printers, because it makes repair body parts from medical-grade stem cells especially grown for the purpose. Thus for example, if someone loses a finger, a new one can be made, then stitched on by a robonurse, or other skilled practitioner.
Bits machine: The colloquial name for an industrial version of the above, which is used to make parts for making other machines (or even making other bits machines) including parts for household items, which are then built up into whatever device you require, according to plans or instructions downloaded with the software for the item in question. The technical term for a bits machine is a Dimensional Erector.
Being Chipped: Most individuals are “chipped” at birth with a digital implant in the upper part of the forearm, near the elbow. However being chipped is not a hard and fast rule, because the wars during this period threw medical care into disarray. Thus, many individuals are not chipped. Lutor loses his chip in the first book due to losing his right arm that is replaced with an artificial unit. However, those humans that are employed by large institutions or governmental agencies are still required to be chipped.
Police, other law enforcement agencies, or major institutions use portable scanners that can “read” a chip on the spot. Shop outlets can also scan the arm chip upon entry and exit to help prevent theft.
Change of Calendar
A feature of human history is that many of the more persistent of our civilizations had their own calendars. A few well-known examples are the Mayan Calendar, the Julian Calendar, the Islamic and Hebrew Calendars, and our current (Western) Gregorian Calendar.
The two later books are based round the new Lutorian Calendar that is itself based on the Gregorian Calendar. If you wish to delve deeper, here is a list of dates to help you convert to the new format – though strictly speaking this is not necessary to enjoy the content:
2,436, March 29th = 01.01.0001 – This is Day One of the new Lutorian Calendar, and the day on which Lutor died ten years earlier.
Under the new Calendar, the months remain the same, but March 29th becomes the first day of the first month of the new Lutorian Calendar. In order to sequence to the older Gregorian Calendar, the very first month (which is March) of Year One (.0001) had just three days (the 29th inclusive), then followed the order of the existing days and months:
Months in Year One, and following years:
March = 01.0001
April = 02.0001
May = 03.0001
June = 04.0001
July = 05.0001
August = 06.0001
September = 07.0001
October = 08.0001
November = 09.0001
December = 10.0001
January = 11.0001
February = 12.0001
Years:
2,436 = .0001
2,446 = .0010
2,456 = .0020
2,466 = .0030
2,476 = .0040
2,486 = .0050
2,496 = .0060
2,506 = .0070
2,516 = .0080
2,526 = .0090
2,536 = .0100
2,546 = .0110
2,556 = .0120
2,566 = .0130
2,576 = .0140
2,586 = .0150
2,596 = .0160
2,606 = .0170
2,616 = .0180
2,626 = .0190
2,636 = .0200
Year .0050 (2,486) – Fiftieth Anniversary of Lutor’s Death – Celebrations.
Year .0100 (2,536) – Hundredth Anniversary of Lutor’s Death – Celebrations.
Year .0200 (2,636) – Two Hundredth Anniversary of Lutor’s Death – Celebrations.
US to UK English Examples
Transport
US English: UK English:
Fender: Bumper
Hood: Bonnet
Trunk: Boot
Intersection: Junction
Cross Street: Crossroads
Mealtime
US English: UK English:
Dig in: Tuck in
Oatmeal: Porage (or Porridge)
Jelly or Jam: Jam
Cookies: Biscuits
Others
US English: UK English:
Dumpster: Skip (abbreviated from rubbish skip)
Thunderstruck: Gobsmacked, utterly astounded
Fulfill: Fulfil
Attorney: Solicitor
Sofa: Settee
Hall: Corridor (e.g. a type of long thin connecting walkway, rather than for example, a church hall)
License: Licence
Cell phone: Mobile phone
Check: Cheque (e.g. to pay someone)
Flashlight: Torch
Take it with a grain of salt: Take it with a pinch of salt
If you need more US to UK examples, this website may be for you: www.effingpot.com.