Definitions by andy
Nechaev
Nihilistic anarchist who may have coined the phrase "the will to destroy is a creative urge". During a brief association with Bakunin, a number of pamphlets appeared which may have been written by either or both of them, most famously "Catechism of a Revolution". The two soon fell out because Bakunin was not really a nihilist.
Nechaev's ideal was for revolutionaries to be utterly ruthless and prepared to take any action, however apparently immoral, which would further their cause (a bit like politicians, in other words).
Exiled from Russia after being accused of murdering a political associate; eventually deported to Russia and killed by the state.
Nechaev's ideal was for revolutionaries to be utterly ruthless and prepared to take any action, however apparently immoral, which would further their cause (a bit like politicians, in other words).
Exiled from Russia after being accused of murdering a political associate; eventually deported to Russia and killed by the state.
Bakura
Planet on the edge of Old/New Republic/Empire space, on the far edge of the Outer Rim (Star Wars expanded universe). First planet targeted by the Ssi-Ruuk aliens for colonisation and entechment. Ruled by Imperial Governor Nereus and later by Gaeriel Captison. Saved by a coalition of imperial and rebel forces.
The planet is a major manufacturer of repulsorlifts. Droids are almost unknown, and the local religion, the Balance, is hostile to Jedi.
Ruled officially by a planetary senate but in fact by the governor during the imperial period. Planetary defences are run by Petr Thanas, who was sent there as a punishment for refusing to massacre insurgents at a slave mine. After the fall of the governor, it is ruled by the senate and is affiliated to the New Republic.
The planet is a major manufacturer of repulsorlifts. Droids are almost unknown, and the local religion, the Balance, is hostile to Jedi.
Ruled officially by a planetary senate but in fact by the governor during the imperial period. Planetary defences are run by Petr Thanas, who was sent there as a punishment for refusing to massacre insurgents at a slave mine. After the fall of the governor, it is ruled by the senate and is affiliated to the New Republic.
guerrilla
An irregular fighter in a (would-be or actual) popular insurgent army. It comes from a Spanish word meaning "little war" (guerra=war, guerilla=little war). Guerrillas hide in inaccessible areas and split up into small units instead of trying to confront their enemies head-on. They usually rely on support from the local population to keep them hidden and to supply them with food and other provisions. Their base of operation is an area such as a forest, mountainous terrain or tunnels underground, although there is also a term "urban guerrilla" referring to someone who tries to use guerrilla tactics in a city environment.
Guerrillas establish bases in what are called foca (singular foco) or base areas, with the theory being that these areas will gradually expand until the guerrillas control the entire countryside and the enemy is isolated in the cities. This is supposed to culminate in an eventual direct war, as happened in China. But today, guerrilla tactics are more often used to harass and impose costs on powerful armies so that they are unable to control a territory and are eventually forced to leave.
Guerrillas are archetypically left-wing, usually adhering to some version of Maoism, Guevarism or some other version of statist communism. It was from such currents that the idea of guerrilla war emerged. However, the term can also be applied to indigenous movements (e.g. the OPM), fundamentalists (e.g. the Afghan mujahideen) and even some right-wing populist groups backed by the US (such as Renamo in Mozambique). Although the emphasis on support from the impoverished masses gives guerrilla strategy a left-wing bent, it is a strategic approach and not a political tendency, so in theory a guerrilla can have any political perspective compatible with attempting to win popular support.
Guerrillas establish bases in what are called foca (singular foco) or base areas, with the theory being that these areas will gradually expand until the guerrillas control the entire countryside and the enemy is isolated in the cities. This is supposed to culminate in an eventual direct war, as happened in China. But today, guerrilla tactics are more often used to harass and impose costs on powerful armies so that they are unable to control a territory and are eventually forced to leave.
Guerrillas are archetypically left-wing, usually adhering to some version of Maoism, Guevarism or some other version of statist communism. It was from such currents that the idea of guerrilla war emerged. However, the term can also be applied to indigenous movements (e.g. the OPM), fundamentalists (e.g. the Afghan mujahideen) and even some right-wing populist groups backed by the US (such as Renamo in Mozambique). Although the emphasis on support from the impoverished masses gives guerrilla strategy a left-wing bent, it is a strategic approach and not a political tendency, so in theory a guerrilla can have any political perspective compatible with attempting to win popular support.
Battles between guerrillas and government forces in the breakaway province left hundreds dead.
Iraqi insurgents have insufficient resources to confront American troops head-on, so they have resorted to hit-and-run guerrilla tactics.
Iraqi insurgents have insufficient resources to confront American troops head-on, so they have resorted to hit-and-run guerrilla tactics.
inverse snobbery
Thinking you're better than other people because you're working class, have a regional accent, don't use big words, read tabloid papers, or for other reasons which are opposite to those which would be involved in "snobbery" in the usual sense.
The argument that people who live in "rough" areas are the only ones who "know" about crime and that everyone else should shut up is just an example of inverse snobbery.
inverse snobbery by Andy May 1, 2004
greenskins
Orcs and Goblins, and related creatures (including Space Orks, Gretchin, Hobgoblins, etc.). It's apparently exclusive to the Games Workshop range of games.
If Orcs really existed, this term would probably be considered racist (especially since some Orcs, the Black Orcs, do not have green skins in Warhammer).
If Orcs really existed, this term would probably be considered racist (especially since some Orcs, the Black Orcs, do not have green skins in Warhammer).
greenskins by Andy May 1, 2004
Sommlending
1) Person from the realm of Sommerlund;
2) of or pertaining to the realm of Sommerlund or its people;
3) member of a specific ethno-linguistic group from whom the people of Sommerlund are descended.
2) of or pertaining to the realm of Sommerlund or its people;
3) member of a specific ethno-linguistic group from whom the people of Sommerlund are descended.
It's another Lone Wolf word.
1) Lone Wolf is a Sommlending.
2) The Durenese ambassador presented a petition to the Sommlending King.
3) The Sommlending originally came from the Dazhiarn Plane before settling in what is now Sommerlund (but was then Darklord territory).
1) Lone Wolf is a Sommlending.
2) The Durenese ambassador presented a petition to the Sommlending King.
3) The Sommlending originally came from the Dazhiarn Plane before settling in what is now Sommerlund (but was then Darklord territory).
Sommlending by Andy May 1, 2004
Noodnic
A small mouse-like humanoid which lives in tunnels coming off the main transit tunnels into Hammerdal (in the Lone Wolf series, or more specifically, in book 2). Noodnics are scavengers which survive by stealing small items and gathering anything which is discarded. They are hoarders, and are somewhat afraid of outsiders.
They appear to be sentient, although the effectiveness of Lone Wolf's animal kinship discipline in communicating with them suggests that they are as much animal as humanoid.
They appear to be sentient, although the effectiveness of Lone Wolf's animal kinship discipline in communicating with them suggests that they are as much animal as humanoid.