Reavers, or Reivers? by DHoffrynn

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Reavers, or Reivers?

POSTED BY: DHOFFRYNN
UPDATED: Saturday, April 8, 2006 13:29
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Saturday, April 8, 2006 3:24 AM

I remember reading a novel in college by William Faulkner (OK, stamp "granola-eating,clog-wearing,egghead-English-major-geek" on my forehead) called "The Reivers". The definition of reiver is one who steals or deceives. OED (Oxford English Dictionary) goes onto explain that it also means outcast or pirate. It comes from the clan on the England/Scotland border who lied in wait for people to cross over the border and plundered their goods and women. In context to the "Firefly" 'verse, it makes sense that it's "reiver". I wonder if Joss had read the same.......Interesting, though, thought I'd share with the class....

This is what I do, darlin'......this is what I do...

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Saturday, April 8, 2006 3:38 AM

MRSELLARS

But, isn't Reiver actually the archaic spelling?

My Webster's unabridged references reiver to reaver, with the latter being obviously "one who reaves"...And, reave being "To plunder or carry off forcibly."

Looks like same word, different spellings.

MRS

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Saturday, April 8, 2006 3:41 AM

DHOFFRYNN

yes, I think you are correct--just tweaked a little to fit our 'verse. However, they don't mention raping, sewing skins, or the like...

This is what I do, darlin'.....this is what I do...

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Saturday, April 8, 2006 4:10 AM

DONCOAT

FYI, the Serenity script in the Visual Companion spells the word "Reavers".

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I don't disagree on any particular point.

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Saturday, April 8, 2006 5:48 AM

JIGMAN

If memory serves, the word reaver means an unstable, chaotic mass of energy. This fits reavers pretty close and i imagine is the correct title for them.

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All good things must come to an end.

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Saturday, April 8, 2006 8:22 AM

GUYWHOWANTSAFIREFLYOFHISOWN

well of course otherwise Joss wouldn't have picked it

it's my insanity that keeps me sane hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

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Saturday, April 8, 2006 1:29 PM

GIXXER

No, real Reivers were easily bit as bad as Joss's. These were the people who gave us the word "blackmail".

Make sure you explore the various links that pepper the article below. Pits with spikes...?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cumbria/features/2003/07/restoration/the_curse.sh
tml

And the best defence being a spot of cussin'. Love the way Gavin curses everything you can think of, then takes a deep breath as he really hits his stride...

His is not, I think, a gentle and forgiving God. I really wouldn't want to go to Confession with him. Any penance he handed out would probably be a little terminal. None of this lightweight "3 Hail Marys" nonsense.

G

Apologies for trotting this out again, but it's my very favourite curse.

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