[Article] Expressions, proverbes et jurons norns

Source
http://www.guildwars2roleplayers.com/home/m/2737230/viewthread/6189427-in-character-idioms-proverbs-curses



Norn:

Idioms and proverbs
Sure as wolf's teeth are sharp.
Everything's better with some ale in the belly.
If you're not fighting, you're dying. If you're dying then I have no use for you.
Even Bear hibernates in the cold of winter. (Translation: Even the strongest will face hardship in their life)
Wolf's Fur for my pack, and his Fangs for their Enemy. (Translation: Care endlessly for those close to you, and spare no quarter to those that would seek them harm)
The fox calls the rabbit a coward, only when he cannot catch her. (Translation: Arrogance is pathetic if you cannot owe up to it.)
Young wolves howl loudest. (Younger norns tend to boast about every little thing.)
Never stand between Bear and her cubs./Never stand between Wolf and his pups.
What does the flying Raven know of Wurm's tunnels? (Someone very smart can be ignorant of a simple thing.)
Don't try to walk autumn's path in winter. (Act appropriately for the situation.)
Never drink to drown your sorrows, always drink to stoke your happiness!
A cleaved head no longer plots.
Be not the first to speak angry words, or you shall be the first to feast on them.
A bear does not know how many insects he tramples as he treads through the forest.
He knows only that there were many.
To build a family on strength alone is to carve a nest of stone. (this is a line from the Damaged Writings in Owl Lodge)
Owl, we call upon you so that we might live by your wisdom. We will hunt silently and well, so that our homes will never know danger or starvation. (A blessing/prayer to Owl)
The finest hunter can't feed her family unless she is fed first. In return, hunters leave no bowl empty. (another teaching from Owl's following)
Remember Owl. (A short way of saying "remember the sacrifice Owl gave to save the norn")
S/He's acts like Minotaur. (can be a compliment or insult; in the PS, Minotaur is said to represent untamed strength and savage cunning - so I take it to be acting like Minotaur to be akin to berserking)
As believed as Hare is. (a potential hidden insult; Hare is thought to be a false spirit amongst most norn, thus saying this could be someone who is thought a lair, or with proper context/rephrasing, to mean the person's as reliable as the claims of Hare's existence (e.g., boy who cried wolf))
I'd have Raven claw my eyes out before... (Used when talking about something you don't like or don't want to do.)
Fame never dies!


Curses and insults (and general bad things)
Wolves teeth!
Bear's breath!
Worthless prey.
Jormag's t*ts.
Raven's wings!
Bear's jaws!
By Ogden's hammer!
Koda's furry balls!
By Bear's bald butt!
Bear's hairy arse!
Spirits piss on this
Raven's screech
By the spirits
By the claws of Bear!
Raven's (feathery) ass!
Empty Mugs!
Dolyak butt/fart (When talking about someone particularly stubborn/insistent)
Dregde humper (When talking about someone with no honor/coward)
Wurm licker (When talking about someone hypocrite/two faced)
Son of skritt (When talking about someone greedy/stupid)
By the plucked arse of Raven!
Bear's teats!
Holy Wolf's balls!
By Snow Leopard's spotted p*ssy!
Bear's ass!/By Bear's furry ass!
Jormag take (taken from the Aetherpath of TA)
Dragon be damned!
Icebrood swarm you.
Svanir hunt you down!
Son of a Svanir!
He/She's as stubborn as Ox! (One of Ox's teachings is in perseverance; taken negatively, can be seen as stubbornness - a quality I'd give to Oxen and Dolyaks at time)


Greetings and wellwishes (and general good things)
Spirits of the wild welcome you.
May Snow Leopard grant you swiftness and grace.
Walk with the pack. In the eyes of wolf we are all brothers and sisters.
May Wolf ever walk beside you and grant you rest in his shadow, May his paws ever guide your path and your howls be heard by all.
Battle with the strength of bear.
Bear's hide shelter you
Raven grant wit
watch you.
guide you.
May your legend become grand/known.
May Dragon overlook you.
Owl's memory be with you.
Minotaur grant you savagery in battle.
Persevere as Ox would.
Walk with grace/graceful steps