Is "gelf" still a thing?

Thrumdi · 03-13-2013, 04:25 PM

I played Regnum Online about 3 years ago (mid-2010). At that time, the phrase "gelf" was widespread to describe players from the realm Syrtis. It was generally understood that this meant "gay elves".

Regnum recently appeared on Steam, and a few of my guild members expressed some interest in trying out the game. (We are primarily a PvP guild currently playing Guild Wars 2). However, we do have an explicit non-discrimination policy, as we have gay members, and guidies who have gay family members.

Before I can recommend our guild try out Regnum, I need to do due diligence about terms like this. Is "gelf" still widely used in chat, on the forums and elsewhere?

PT_DaAr_PT · 03-13-2013, 04:43 PM

Yes, but I can't understand why it has to be such a big deal. Syrtis looks gay and has elves, so somebody decided to call players of that realm gelf. I have never seen the word gelf being directed at a gay person that plays that realm. The majority of people don't really think much about the g in gelf. And to be honest, I don't give a shit and not even the most famous gelf of Regnum had a problem with it, and he is gay. You can read his own words:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pizdzius

So shall we make a poll among gay people what language can we use?
How ridiculous can it get?
I am gay too. As far as I am concerned, I don't CARE. ITS MY OWN PERSONAL BUSINESS. I know what language there is around world and I don't give a holy crap about it. I don't give a fuck if people tell jokes about polish people, either! I LAUGH cause they're FUNNY.
What the hell, man? There are gay people who unfortunately worked their asses hard on the status people pin to us now. Feminine looks, faggots, fashion sense, rainbows and teapot pose. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE LIKE THAT so why bother? Syrtis DOES look gay, but in all possible meanings. Looks happy, looks feminine, looks queer, looks lame. I admit, I HATE the gay chicken that's our mount :P

What we do in our bedrooms is our personal matter and saying GAY ELVES in a MMO game doesn't touch our sex life, does it?

What, are gay people the only ones that can use "gay" word? Mass hysteria and political correction is what I hate the most. And that's why I am ashamed of being gay, cause if I tell that to people, they always see me like a typical queer. I can't help it tho, I can only shrug and say I DONT CARE.

So, to sum it up, a drama queen who's crying to stop using phrase gelf, try to imagine it's green elf. Now, better?

DISTANCE.

Hopeakettu · 03-13-2013, 04:44 PM

It is, indeed. However, I think the 'gay elf' interpretation is problematic in my opinion. I've always preferred to primarily decode it as 'green elf', which is probably the original meaning.

(Then again, there was a time in the past when being 'gay' had nothing to do with sexual orientation.)

OT: I wonder if people interpret 'goats' as 'gay oats'

EDIT: +1 to the post above

VeterKh · 03-13-2013, 05:51 PM

i really don't care about sexual orientation of Realm Sirtis. It's a GAME.

Quincebo · 03-13-2013, 05:58 PM

Like all alsius players are goats in real life, or have goats in their backyard

Like all ignis players are pigs, or have pigs in their backyard

Wield_II · 03-13-2013, 06:09 PM

http://i.imgur.com/FVV9z.gif

_Kharbon_ · 03-13-2013, 06:16 PM

Basically, I agree with Daar and Hopeakettu.

The term "gelfs" is still generally used, but I doubt, that many players still know what it originally meant.
Personally, I always understood it as a abbreviation from the word "goat". Since Alsirians are generally known as "goats" (for rather obvious reasons), I thought, that the "g" from the beginning of the word was stocked upon the word "elf", to create a "gelfs"

(I hope, this makes a bit of sense :P)

When I learned what "gelf" ment, I started using my (c) modification "gelfie", and for goats "goatie" :P. Still, the simple word gelf and goat is much more convenient to use, than any other, to distinguish between the two realms in war.

Therefore, I wouldn't consider this term much more discriminating than "pig", that's used to call ignis :P

Checkit · 03-13-2013, 08:31 PM

Just don't play. We don't need a group of people who are going to get offended by every little thing said to them.

Also, +123219083092185012930281942 to the quote in Daar's post.

Hollow-Ichigo · 03-13-2013, 09:46 PM

Syrtis players are known as gelfs, get over it :P

GrimNightfall · 03-13-2013, 09:54 PM

I'm a gelf, and proud. Even though a good half of Syrtis hates me

03-13-2013, 04:25 PM	#1
Thrumdi Pledge Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 3	Is "gelf" still a thing? I played Regnum Online about 3 years ago (mid-2010). At that time, the phrase "gelf" was widespread to describe players from the realm Syrtis. It was generally understood that this meant "gay elves". Regnum recently appeared on Steam, and a few of my guild members expressed some interest in trying out the game. (We are primarily a PvP guild currently playing Guild Wars 2). However, we do have an explicit non-discrimination policy, as we have gay members, and guidies who have gay family members. Before I can recommend our guild try out Regnum, I need to do due diligence about terms like this. Is "gelf" still widely used in chat, on the forums and elsewhere?

03-13-2013, 04:44 PM	#3
Hopeakettu Initiate Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Beer Nation Posts: 141	It is, indeed. However, I think the 'gay elf' interpretation is problematic in my opinion. I've always preferred to primarily decode it as 'green elf', which is probably the original meaning. (Then again, there was a time in the past when being 'gay' had nothing to do with sexual orientation.) OT: I wonder if people interpret 'goats' as 'gay oats' EDIT: +1 to the post above __________________ Boozeberry & Co. Moved the booze somewhere else

03-13-2013, 05:51 PM	#4
VeterKh Master Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: kaZantip (orange republic without panties) Posts: 534	i really don't care about sexual orientation of Realm Sirtis. It's a GAME. __________________ Sooner or later, you know, that the world around you can't change. But when all illusions are destroyed, you can start to build one, the one great illusion. k a Z a n t i p

03-13-2013, 05:58 PM	#5
Quincebo Baron Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands Posts: 626	Like all alsius players are goats in real life, or have goats in their backyard Like all ignis players are pigs, or have pigs in their backyard __________________ http://syrtishorus.pixforum.net/ Syrtis trade/fan forum

03-13-2013, 06:16 PM	#7
_Kharbon_ Baron Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 769	Basically, I agree with Daar and Hopeakettu. The term "gelfs" is still generally used, but I doubt, that many players still know what it originally meant. Personally, I always understood it as a abbreviation from the word "goat". Since Alsirians are generally known as "goats" (for rather obvious reasons), I thought, that the "g" from the beginning of the word was stocked upon the word "elf", to create a "gelfs" (I hope, this makes a bit of sense :P) When I learned what "gelf" ment, I started using my (c) modification "gelfie", and for goats "goatie" :P. Still, the simple word gelf and goat is much more convenient to use, than any other, to distinguish between the two realms in war. Therefore, I wouldn't consider this term much more discriminating than "pig", that's used to call ignis :P __________________ Kharbon Proud member of CZ/SK WM - WM - WM - 56 - 53 - 50

03-13-2013, 06:09 PM	#6
Wield_II Master Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Paradise Posts: 306	http://i.imgur.com/FVV9z.gif

03-13-2013, 08:31 PM	#8
Checkit Banned Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 83	Just don't play. We don't need a group of people who are going to get offended by every little thing said to them. Also, +123219083092185012930281942 to the quote in Daar's post.

03-13-2013, 09:46 PM	#9
Hollow-Ichigo Count Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: United Kingdom, England Posts: 1,038	Syrtis players are known as gelfs, get over it :P __________________

03-13-2013, 09:54 PM	#10
GrimNightfall Initiate Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Syrtis Posts: 153	I'm a gelf, and proud. Even though a good half of Syrtis hates me __________________ This game is too easy