Language is such an important part of worldbuilding. In the Forgive My Fins series, the mermaid characters exist in a world separated from the human one, so they have developed their own unique sea slang.
Want to study up? Download the PDF version.
Sea Slang Glossary
aqua vide n : water life, the ability to live underwater and transfigure into mer form
aquarespire n : water breath, the ability to breathe water
backpaddle v : to retreat quickly, either physically or verbally
blowfish n : an arrogant, obnoxious creature
damselfish n : a curse of frustration, also a bright blue fish common in coral reefs
deepest dredges n : the lowest depth to which one can sink
finkini n : a modesty-protecting shorts-like garment made of scales, not recommended for motorcycle riding
fraidy-fish n : someone who is scared of something silly
guppy n : a very young or immature merperson
jellyfish for brains n : someone with lower-than-average intelligence
lord love a lobster n : an exclamation of awe
mer mark n : the two-part tattoo at the base of a merperson’s neck, the source of mer powers, consisting of a circle of waves around a stylized kelpflower
merkind n : all merfolk everywhere
mermade adj : an object made by merfolk
mermate n : a merperson’s perfect partner
mindwashing n : a ritual that erases a human’s memory of the mer world
oceanista n : a bratty, superior, fashion- and popularity-obsessed mergirl, also a popular line of mer dolls
sea slug n : an annoying, low-life person
sea witch n : a truly horrid mergirl, one who delights in the torment of others
seafoam on sand n : something fleeting, transitory
seasticks n : the eating utensils of choice in the mer world
slimy-headed vent worm n : the lowest form of ocean life, someone repulsive and disgusting and beneath a mergirl’s notice
son of a swordfish n : a curse of annoyance
sponge-enhanced adj : used to describe a mergirl who has artificially increased her topside department
squid-brained adj : lacking logic or rational thought
squids n : a mer or human boy’s sensitive bits
terraped n : a human
topside department n : a mergirl’s upper body assets
transfigure v : to change from mer form to terraped or vice versa
wakemaker n : an underwater vehicle, designed to carry two people, very dangerous in the hands of an untrained drivers
Want to learn how to use sea slang more naturally? Immerse yourself in the world of the Forgive My Fins series.