Worms

[Etinarg]

Since in the development forum the question was touched if worms should be w or rather ~, I remembered a question that was itching me since a while.

In more graphical games, I see enemies labeled "worms", but sometimes pictured like reptiles. Now, in my mothers tongue, worms and reptiles are quite distinct, with the exception of an old word, which is not commonly used anymore, and which means a kind of dragon, or snake (which I both would classify reptiles).

Does the English word "worm" include dragons and some reptiles?

[Anvilfolk]

In general I wouldn't think so, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it used in more archaic english. There's also a similar word, wyrm, which definitely has more of a reptilian touch to it, but I think it's more linked to the fantastic.

[Fenrir]

Isn't "wyrm" just an archaic spelling of the same word? That's what Wikipedia says, anyway.

[Anvilfolk]

Well, that might be true. but from reading fantasy like Tolkien & others, I just cannot imagine calling a regular little worm a wyrm. I always imagine Glaurung

[Numeron]

I've heard dragons called worms before, but usually in a more "proper" medieval sense, rather than fantasy medieval. If you have worms in your game as in earthworms, I really wouldnt worry about people mistaking them for dragons unless you also translate your game poorly into a different language.

[Omnivorous]

Since in the development forum the question was touched if worms should be w or rather ~, I remembered a question that was itching me since a while.

In more graphical games, I see enemies labeled "worms", but sometimes pictured like reptiles. Now, in my mothers tongue, worms and reptiles are quite distinct, with the exception of an old word, which is not commonly used anymore, and which means a kind of dragon, or snake (which I both would classify reptiles).

Does the English word "worm" include dragons and some reptiles?

To be honest I have never seen something labeled a "worm" in a graphical game, except for this fishinggame.. In my opinion worm = earthworm wyrm = dragonlike creature, dragon = dragon

[Etinarg]

I think the developers tried to provide what Numeron called "proper medieval sense", therefore the use of "worm" for the reptilian creatures. I was just uncertain how the word is commonly used.

Thanks for the help and clarifications