Many a Harry Potter fan will have heard the shocking news by now: J.K. Rowling revealed that American wizards and witches don't use the term 'Muggle' to describe non-magical people. Instead, Americans have done what they do best: abbreviate.
'No-Maj' is the new term Rowling introduced; a mash-up of 'no' and 'magic,' the term is pronounced "no-madge," and has hit a nerve with the Potter fandom. Many fans took to social media to complain, protest, or start polls to prove that 'Muggle' would prevail. Some people liked the term; I have to admit, it's grown on me. 'No-Maj' is an exceedingly American term; like "bday" or "mofo," Americans have an uncanny tendency to shorten any and every phrase possible.
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| (c) EW |
'Muggle,' too, has a rather unAmerican quality about it. It's almost impossible to say it without attempting an English accent. 'No-Maj' sounds American when used: "He's such a no-maj." How much more American can a phrase get? It makes sense that Americans would reject the British term in favor of something all our own, no matter how lame it may seem to others. It's part of being American. Like when we renamed French Fries to Freedom Fries momentarily. Now, everyone can take on the term or, like with Freedom Fries, entirely ignore it. That's the point. Just because magical people of the 1920s called non-magical people 'No-Maj' doesn't mean all the American fans have to convert, or that magical people of America still use that term.
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| (c) EW |
Whatever opinion you may have on this new dilemma, it's important to remember no one has to use one term over the other. If you want to use 'Muggle,' that's great but don't hate on any fans who prefer 'No-Maj.' Same goes for fans who choose 'No-Maj'; the American fans who prefer 'Muggle' are not "wrong" if they use it. I prefer 'No-Maj,' but I'll still be using 'Muggle' just out of habit; I think a lot of fans will as we adjust to the new term.
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| (c) EW |
Which term do you prefer? Muggle or No-Maj?
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