It’s not just Americans that get their own word for Muggles. Harry Potter fans all over the world have words for non-magic folks, too.
In an exciting move to expand J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them takes the Harry Potter franchise to America.
Related: Fantastic Beasts characters revealed: An auror, a “Second Salemer,” and more
American fans who have grown up with the British-centric series are looking forward to learning about the U.S. wizarding world: The American wizarding school(s), the American Ministry for Magic, the American magical creatures, and the American words for things we, until now, have only experienced through Harry’s eyes.
And, earlier this week, a major bombshell shook up the Harry Potter fan community: Apparently, Americans have their own word for “Muggle”.
“No-Maj,” short for “no magic,” is a quirky little term resembling “nomad,” and seems appropriate both for the American culture and the time period in which Fantastic Beasts is set.
MuggleCast is now No-MajCast (not really) (or is it?), American fans get to own another little piece of the fandom they know and love, and all was well.
Except… not quite.
Because there are many other words for Muggle that already exist, that have somehow failed to get their proper celebration. We’re all in favor of learning more about the American wizarding world, but fair is fair — if Americans get to say “no-maj” now, the Norwegians get to say “gomp.”
The Harry Potter fandom is, after all, much bigger than just Britain and America.
Here are seven other brilliant words for “Muggle,” taken from the official translations of the Harry Potter book series, that we think all fans should add to their vocabulary:
1. ‘Gomp’ (Norwegian)
Use it in a sentence: “Gomp women wear them, Archie, not the men, they wear these,” said the Ministry wizard, and he brandished the pinstriped trousers.
2. ‘Dreuzel’ (Dutch)
Use it in a sentence: “Don’t let the Dreuzels get you down.”
3. ‘Moldu’ (French)
Use it in a sentence: “Don’t be sorry, my dear sir, for nothing could upset me today! Rejoice, for You-Know-Who is gone at last! Even Moldu like yourself should be celebrating this happy, happy day.”
4. ‘Babbano’ (Italian)
Use it in a sentence: “Babbanos have garden gnomes, too, you know,” Harry told Ron as they crossed the lawn.
5. ‘Jästi’ (Finnish)
Use it in a sentence: “My parents are Jästi, mate. They don’t know nothing about no deaths at Hogwarts, because I’m not stupid enough to tell them.”
6. ‘Normalac’ (Serbian)
Use it in a sentence: “Doctors?” said Ron, looking startled. “Those Normalac nutters that cut people up?”
7. ‘Trouxa’ (Portuguese)
Use it in a sentence: “A telephone, Ron, said Hermione. “Honestly, you should take Trouxa Studies next year…”
Bonus: ‘Muggle’ (American)
…After all, it’s the word used in the American editions of J.K. Rowling’s book series!
Apart from the above examples, there are many more variations on the word “muggle,” and great individual translations in every language imaginable. We’re very glad American fans finally have their own word, but let’s not forget about the rest of the world!