Alhadis's definitions
Comes from the Old English verb for "shudder" (presumably the origin of the modern word "gruesome" as well; literally "shudder-some"). Grues are creepy, sinister creatures from the Zork series, the oldest and most influential of the old text-based adventure games. They're hardly ever seen because they despise light and only emerge in areas of complete darkness, where they prey upon adventurers and enchanters. Easily pissed off and vicious, they're repelled by even the faintest glow of light; meaning that a simple torch can be enough to keep the grues at bay. They're mysterious; short of their glaring eyes and sharp fangs-and-teeth, nobody knows what grues look like, exactly. They're known for their constant slaving and gurgling, and especially their nasty tempers.
In the game's feedback display itself, the grues were often a warning that a user should start looking for a light source... badly. "You have entered a dark area. You will likely be eaten by a grue" was a common description in the Zork adventure games; adventurers going underground would be wise to bring a good supply of oil for a lantern. Once the lights go out, the grues swarm all over you (ripping you apart before the game gives you a death message, like "Grues eat well tonight"). Infocom's official description of the "grue" (notice the lack of plural; it was unclear in the earlier Zork instalments whether there was only *one* grue, lurking as a sinister presence in the underground's darkness... or more then one) is:
"The grue, according to scholars of the Great Underground Empire, is a sinister, lurking presence in the dark places of the earth. Its favourite diet is either adventurers or enchanters, but its insatiable appetite is tempered by its extreme fear of light. No grues have ever been seen by the light of day, and only a few have been observed in their underground lairs. Of those who have seen grues, few have survived their fearsome jaws to tell the tale. Grues have sharp claws and fangs, and an uncontrollable tendency to slaver and gurgle. They are certainly the most evil-tempered of all creatures; to say they are touchy is a dangerous understatement. "Sour as a grue" is a common expression, even among themselves."
In the game's feedback display itself, the grues were often a warning that a user should start looking for a light source... badly. "You have entered a dark area. You will likely be eaten by a grue" was a common description in the Zork adventure games; adventurers going underground would be wise to bring a good supply of oil for a lantern. Once the lights go out, the grues swarm all over you (ripping you apart before the game gives you a death message, like "Grues eat well tonight"). Infocom's official description of the "grue" (notice the lack of plural; it was unclear in the earlier Zork instalments whether there was only *one* grue, lurking as a sinister presence in the underground's darkness... or more then one) is:
"The grue, according to scholars of the Great Underground Empire, is a sinister, lurking presence in the dark places of the earth. Its favourite diet is either adventurers or enchanters, but its insatiable appetite is tempered by its extreme fear of light. No grues have ever been seen by the light of day, and only a few have been observed in their underground lairs. Of those who have seen grues, few have survived their fearsome jaws to tell the tale. Grues have sharp claws and fangs, and an uncontrollable tendency to slaver and gurgle. They are certainly the most evil-tempered of all creatures; to say they are touchy is a dangerous understatement. "Sour as a grue" is a common expression, even among themselves."
Text-screen: "You have entered the crypt. A hallway slopes downwards before you, leading into pitch blackness."
User #1 (types in): "head downwards"
Screen: "You walk into the darkness. You will likely surely be eaten by a grue if you don't find a light source."
User #2 (talking to first user): "Dude, you're gonna get eaten by grues..."
User #1: "Don't worry, I brought a lantern." *types in* "take out lantern*
Screen: "You left the crypt door open. A draft blows through, putting out your lantern."
User #1: "Oh shits, I knew I should've brought a hooded lantern."
User #2: "Quick, light it again!"
User #1: "Can't, man. No oil or matches."
Screen: "Another wind picks up and closes the crypt's door, blocking out the moonlight."
User #1: "Oh man, no matches or anything...? We are *so* fucked..."
Screen: "It's nice and dark in here. Just the way the grues like it..." *screen goes black, followed by nasty growling sounds*
User #1: "Son-of-a-bitch... remind me to stick a rock in the door to keep it from blowing shut next time."
User #1 (types in): "head downwards"
Screen: "You walk into the darkness. You will likely surely be eaten by a grue if you don't find a light source."
User #2 (talking to first user): "Dude, you're gonna get eaten by grues..."
User #1: "Don't worry, I brought a lantern." *types in* "take out lantern*
Screen: "You left the crypt door open. A draft blows through, putting out your lantern."
User #1: "Oh shits, I knew I should've brought a hooded lantern."
User #2: "Quick, light it again!"
User #1: "Can't, man. No oil or matches."
Screen: "Another wind picks up and closes the crypt's door, blocking out the moonlight."
User #1: "Oh man, no matches or anything...? We are *so* fucked..."
Screen: "It's nice and dark in here. Just the way the grues like it..." *screen goes black, followed by nasty growling sounds*
User #1: "Son-of-a-bitch... remind me to stick a rock in the door to keep it from blowing shut next time."
by Alhadis May 9, 2005
Get the Gruemug. Despite being one of the funniest writers alive, and having a nearly unsurpassed level of creative genius, this man is *still* largely underrated as one of England's most brilliant writers, with writers like J.K. Rowling walking away with the most fame and recognition for books that are, in comparison to the Discworld novels, overrated piles of crap. There's nothing in Terry Pratchett's works that could make me keep a straight face- EVER, and each novel is utterly hilarious in a well-worded, balanced fashion that conveys a distinctive style of British humour that's become Terry Pratchett's style. The man might be coming along in his years, but he's shown NO signs of slowing down over the years... hilarious, creative, witty, and able to write novels that're both clever and compelling without overdoing humour or storyline. That's the true essence of Pratchett's genius; not just being funny, but keeping readers involved in the book rather then the jokes alone.
Pick up one of his novels and give yourself a laugh. If you find yourself reading through at least a single chapter and can't laugh at least ONCE, you're in need of some serious psychological assistance.
Pick up one of his novels and give yourself a laugh. If you find yourself reading through at least a single chapter and can't laugh at least ONCE, you're in need of some serious psychological assistance.
"Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day. Set fire to the man and he's warm for the rest of his life." ~ Jingo, another of Terry Pratchett's more well-known novels.
by Alhadis July 31, 2008
Get the Terry Pratchettmug. A heavy metal band from Finland, and easily one of the goddamned best to have graced the music world. Combining talent, awesome lyrics and kick-ass music into one mind-blowing whole, nobody can play gothic metal like Nightwish can. They don't posturate their music in an over-the-top, "we're evil goths and we love it" attitude that many other metal bands seem to (*cough* Marilyn Manson *cough*), and the Heavy Metal world just wouldn't be complete without them.
Nightwish... Underrated personifications of Melodic metal. It's difficult to praise 'em too much... they flat out kick ass. What's Metallica doing at the top of the charts, anyway?
by Alhadis November 24, 2004
Get the Nightwishmug. 1) Of or relating to the state of writing or behaviour that arouses amusement in others.
2) Strange, odd, or queer in a non-homosexually related fashion.
3) A trait that most contemporary comedy shows don't seem to possess.
2) Strange, odd, or queer in a non-homosexually related fashion.
3) A trait that most contemporary comedy shows don't seem to possess.
1) "Your mother" is a generic response guaranteed to deliver amusement in response to any question, no matter how intellectual or complicated.
2) "Not funny ha-ha, funny queer, mmm-hmm." - Karl Childers, Sling Blade
3) "Futurama" is a comedy show that delivers the goods to the audience. "Everybody loves Raymond" doesn't, and few comedy shows these days are capable of producing quality humour in their audience.
2) "Not funny ha-ha, funny queer, mmm-hmm." - Karl Childers, Sling Blade
3) "Futurama" is a comedy show that delivers the goods to the audience. "Everybody loves Raymond" doesn't, and few comedy shows these days are capable of producing quality humour in their audience.
by Alhadis July 25, 2008
Get the Funnymug. True veterans of the machinima field, Roosterteeth are the creative geniuses who created the fularious web-series Red VS Blue (based off the Halo series), as well as Strangerhood (based off the Sims). Unlike many fan-based creations, Roosterteeth haven't shown any signs of slowing down over the years; to this day, they continue to roll out hilarious comedy that gives them their well-deserved reputation for being comedy geniuses. They're also credited for producing the brief P.A.N.I.C.S series ("People Acting Normal in Crazyass Situations"), for the F.E.A.R game; and while PANICS was only brief, it did deliver a good laugh. However, Roosterteeth have forever remained most famous for their work in Red VS Blue, which continues to be widely regarded as one of the funniest things on the Internet.
Church (Red VS Blue): "Tucker, there's a very fine line between not listening and not caring. I like to think I walk that line everyday of my life."
Check out their work at http://www.roosterteeth.com.
Check out their work at http://www.roosterteeth.com.
by Alhadis July 26, 2008
Get the Roosterteethmug. Something people of the younger generation have an inexplicable difficulty in expressing. Most notably the use of "American English", a degredation of the traditional language where "peepz speek lik diz, yo!!". Critique is erronously directed towards anybody with half a brain and the sense to realize that using "traditional English" is NOT "old-fashioned" or "geeky".
Conversely, English has already been the most bastardized language over the centuries, having taken many words from multiple languages and confusing the hell out of non-native speakers. But people of today's generation do NOT need to go intentionally out of their way to bastardize this already-confusing language further.
Conversely, English has already been the most bastardized language over the centuries, having taken many words from multiple languages and confusing the hell out of non-native speakers. But people of today's generation do NOT need to go intentionally out of their way to bastardize this already-confusing language further.
"Hipster": 'Eya homes, whaddup yo?! Layin' th'cuts straight ballinz, fo shizzle?!"
Person who speaks proper English: "Learn some basic English, fucker. I've got no idea what the hell you're saying."
Person who speaks proper English: "Learn some basic English, fucker. I've got no idea what the hell you're saying."
by Alhadis December 9, 2004
Get the English Languagemug. "Yeah, I'll do it this arvo."
(Apologies extend to everybody who opened this entry without knowing "avro" was actually a typo)
(Apologies extend to everybody who opened this entry without knowing "avro" was actually a typo)
by Alhadis February 24, 2008
Get the avromug.