Pern is a rich place far removed from our society, and there is a great deal of time separating Pernese from the original colonists, and the Earth from whence they came. Because of this, much of the etymology of words has been lost, and many curses have a distinctively Pernese twist. Pernese don't go around saying things like "dude" and "damn". When roleplaying, its important to not use words that the Pernese don't. That takes away from the roleplaying experience.

Probably one of the most common mistakes is what to call a ponytail. Pernese would have lost the etymology for ponytail, but they haven't changed it in any way. This means there are no such things as "runnertails".

This list is straight out of the Dragonlover's Guide to Pern, Second Ed., page . 104 - 105. Comments marked with a * are personal additions further explaining the maledictus or oath.

Wherry teeth - Nonsense; I don't believe you.
* Wherries don't have teeth...

Crackdust, shards - expletives indicating annoyance or disbelief.
* Crackdust (I believe) is what results after Thread has been flamed, and obviously shards refer to egg shards.

That's well dusted - Its nasty or unpleasant
*Also refers to crackdust.

He was born under the Red Star - someone evil or generally disliked.
* Obvious. Red Star is the symbol of all that is evil on Pern, and is the scourge of all Pernese. Need I say more?

Bend a tail - Defecate.
* Comes from young dragons. Often times dragonets need help when very young and constipated.

A hunk of firestone, all gas and ash - a braggart or blowhard.
* Like the Earth saying, "full of hot air"

Has a dragon's two stomachs - a "hollow leg," endless appetite
* Dragons eat a LOT.

Tail fork first - Backward
* Ever noticed how many of the Pernese' sayings come from dragons? ;o)

Wherry hunt - a fruitless, foolish quest. "a wild goose chase"

Like trying to draw an inside straight in Bitra - an impossibility
* Every one knows the reputations of Bitrans...

shaffit - expletive of irritation.
* Pernese equivalent of "dammit"

Chew it raw and swallow - accept the inevitable
* Just deal with it.

A dragon among wherries - cat among pigeons
* Dragons REALLY like to eat wherries...

Smokeless weyrling - A disparagement meaning useless.
* Do you really need me to explain this one?

Shards, shellcrack, shells - All expletive of varying degrees.

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By the first shell - The first Hatching is of noteworthy importance to those who revere dragonkind.
* This is a serious oath, and to swear by the first egg is to bind yourself to your promise.

Through Fog, Fall, and Fire - reminiscent of the vow of the American postman, "through rain and sleet and dark of night".
* This means it will be done under any and all circumstances.

By Faranth - like by the first shell, this is a serious oath. Faranth was the first gold dragon to clutch, and was ridden by the legendary Sorka. Along the same vein, "Faranth knows", which means no one knows. Similar to Terran "God knows".

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