Why "maille"?

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dysjunct
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Why "maille"?

Post by dysjunct »

Any particular reason why the text uses the archaic spelling of "mail"?

It doesn't use "sweord," "knif," "armure," or any other pre-modern spellings. Why is "maille" the exception?
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Agamemnon
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Re: Why "maille"?

Post by Agamemnon »

The term "chain mail" is redundant, because mail or maille itself literally means "armor/cloth made of metal rings." We go with the term maille over mail because while both are correct, one of them has a different connotation for English speakers who will naturally associate it with the postal service.
Sword and Scoundrel: On Role-Playing and Fantasy Obscura

Arrakis teaches the attitude of the knife — chopping off what’s incomplete and saying: "Now it’s complete because it’s ended here."
Collected Sayings of Muad’Dib, the Princess Irulan
dysjunct
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Re: Why "maille"?

Post by dysjunct »

Makes sense, thanks.

(Now get back to work on that combat chapter! Thursday is always right around the corner! :mrgreen:)
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nemedeus
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Re: Why "maille"?

Post by nemedeus »

dysjunct wrote:Makes sense, thanks.

(Now get back to work on that combat chapter! Thursday is always right around the corner! :mrgreen:)
Quoting this for truthfulness.
"First Rule of War Club: Don't fight in the War Room" - Clint Eastwood, 1920
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