Glossary of Terms

What follows is a list of terms and jargon used in the Homeworlds universe.

Atmo

Atmosphere, particularly Earth-like atmospheres or those of similar density and composition, with respect to the aerodynamic effects on a spacecraft.

Burn

To fire a propulsion system of any kind, including common electrodynamic systems which do not "burn" any fuel.

Can

A ship, particularly one of poor quality or advanced age, or a well-maintained ship with a poor reputation for resilience. Origin: the Koruunite Invasion, to describe the jury-rigged fleet of ships hastily constructed to turn back the Koruunite invaders.

Cap

Noun: a firearm, bullet fired from such, or similar weapon/projectile. Verb: to fire said weapon, particularly in an attempt to injure or murder another. Occasionally, to murder with a weapon other than a firearm. Origin: 21st century Earth slang.

Cast

Noun or verb; a primitive, temporary repair to a damaged system, particularly on a spacecraft, such as bonding objects with adhesive, or bolting plates onto a hull fracture. Origin: primitive medical device used to set broken bones.

Coat

Slang, formerly "fancycoat", to describe an affluent businessperson, politician, or even top brass military personnel, particularly Core Worlders or Foundation personnel, or to imply that the subject is or should be of said population. Generally implies a lofty, self-important personality, concerned only with money and power, and unconcerned with the troubles of the common person. Common in DMZ and among lower classes in Foundation space. Related to older slang term, "suit". Often bundled with "hats", as in "coats and hats".

Dig

A popular hang-out spot, such as a club or bar. Alternatively, an activist gathering or abstract public movement, such as "this new pro-gun dig". Sometimes "digg". A "dig" thought to be too popular, and thus no longer "cool", is sometimes "dug" or "dugg". In the DMZ, "dig" has a specific connotation of relative safety, while "dug" refers to a less secure location. Origins: though to trace to 21st century information system, ultimately 20th century vernacular.

Founder

The noun used to refer to a citizen of the Foundation, or the adjective of the same use, e.g. "a Founder spaceship, full of Founders".

Fundy

Slang form of "Founder". Originally derogatory, but hijacked by the Founders themselves as a word of positive connotation.

G's

Slang, money, particularly a modest amount of spending cash, such as an ordinary person might carry in a secure area.

Gills

Slang, a breathing system of any kind, such as that included in a space suit, or the suit itself.

GPS

Any positioning system which locates targets on a planetary surface, and/or a system which provides maps and directions to earthbound travelers. Origin: 21st century Earth technology of same purpose, using geosynchronous satellites.

Hat

A military or police officer, or other governmental authority figure, particularly one who is overstepping his authority. Common only in DMZ. Often bundled with "coats", as in "coats and hats".

HDT

Properly, a fuel station, or the fuel sold therein, specifically Hydrogen, Deuterium, and Tritium (for fuel cells, conventional rockets, and fusion reactors). Formerly a brand name, now public domain. Colloquially used to describe fuel of other kinds, such as antimatter, and the stations which sell it.

Jack

To steal or seize control, especially through use of electronic measures to compromise computer systems. The primary tactic of drones against Homeworlds spacecraft.

Jump

The action of a ship which uses a Jumpgate to teleport. Also "teleport", "port", or "gate".

Jumpgate

A quantum entanglement teleportation gate, or pair of linked gates. Frequent typos include "jump-gate" and "jump gate". Colloquially, "stargate", "portal" (regional), or "teleporter".

Kruck

Slang for Koruunite, used as a noun (e.g. "two Krucks walked into a bar") or adjective ("that's a Kruck battlecruiser"). Derogatory.

Manhole

A cramped entryway or shaft for access to the internal workings of a spacecraft or installation. From the name for a primitive sewer entrance.

Mutes

Slang, nanorobots, particularly those used for medical purposes. Dates back to early medical nanotechnology, where widespread fear of mutation caused by nanorobots inhibited popular acceptance. Now used with neutral connotation.

Pan, (the)

Being in position to be attacked by enemies with no ability to fight back, especially in space combat, as in "they've got us in the pan" or "we're panned". Sometimes used to describe a generally tight situation.

PC

See "politicorporate".

Ping

To check on the status of, particularly via computer query, or sometimes implying a conversation, as in "ping the jumpgate and see if our slot is still open".

Plug

To enter data into a computer system, specifically to search for additional data on a topic. Often, to query subject's Foundation security status, as in "we'd better not get tagged by those hats, or we'll get plugged".

Pod

An escape capsule, detachable excursion module, or otherwise fragment of a larger (usually destroyed) ship containing crewmen. Many ships are equipped with modular cockpits or command units which also serve as lifeboats. "Pod" typically refers to such modules only when used as a lifeboat.

Pod-killed

To "pod-kill" is to destroy a lifeboat, or "pod", typically immediately after destroying the ship which launched it, in order to kill the pilot(s) or crew. This is considered an egregious breach of wartime protocol. Even at the height of the two Koruunite wars, this practice occurred in only the most brutal of engagements. Drones in the Earthgate wars, of course, frequently "podded" human pilots. More recently, this term has been used to describe the chilling practice of holdover drones who steal modular pods or lifeboats to abduct pilots. More commonly "podded".

Podded

See "pod-killed".

Politicorporate

A word used mainly in the NTC to describe the nature of corporate relations in that nation, wherein corporations comprise the entire government. Essentially, politics and corporate relations are the same thing, thus the use of the word, usually used for emphasis on the darker side or harsh realities of politics, as the more polite and neutral term is simply "corporate relations" or "public relations".

RCS

A system of thrusters used by a spacecraft to perform attitude adjustments, particularly fine maneuvers. Formerly an acronym for Reaction Control System, though now used for any similar system, even those for which the name is not technically accurate.

Roll

To fool, or to be fooled, as in "we got rolled".

Slip

Slang, crude; to have sex with, particularly in a denigrating sense, as in "I'm gonna slip this bitch". Usually implies means of persuasion, such as money, intimidation, or poisoning. Sometimes used in a non-literal sense to express intent to perform an action of great disrespect.

Spec

A spectrum analyzer, commonly used by spacecraft to map surrounding space and locate other spacecraft. Occasionally "radar", especially when feedback is provided in the form of a two-dimensional radial projection.

Tag

To be noticed, particularly by an authority figure when one might otherwise prefer to remain anonymous. Often specific to being "specced" by an enemy spacecraft, or to lock onto an enemy target using the same method. Can be intransitive, as in "this fight is gonna come down to whoever tags first".

Tie

Slang, to arrest or be bound by law, as in "I got tied for jacking some g's".

Uni

Slang for Union, specifically the Union of Karman States. Usually an adjective, or a noun representing a citizen, rather than a noun representing the entire Union.

World, (The)

Slang, any planet or moon, particularly an inhabited one. Also, sometimes used to represent all of civilized space, as in "what has this world come to" or "the worst person in the world". Occasionally "worlds".