Is this too obvious?

Question: Is this too obvious!?

For my fantasy story I need a word that will work for nonmagical people, mortals, from Earth---do you think "terrien"will do!? It's an actual word, French for Earthling!. I think it will do well, but I just wonder if it is too obvious!?

Please and Thank you!. Cheers!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Sure, it works well, why not!? It′s not too obvious, the english pronounciation makes it sound very differently in your head when reading it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It sounds too sci-fi to me!. I've heard similar words used before but always in sci-fi settings!.
The video game Starcraft had different races and the human race were called Terrans!.
Using "terrien" which is similar to the Latin "terra" immediately makes me wonder what that would be in contrast to!. If one type of person is "of earth" then the others types of people must be from somewhere else!.
Terrestrial and celestial are often paired, so hearing the one would automatically make me think of the other!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I like it but it sounds a bit like Terrier!. Earthling isn't bad at all!. Have you considered it!? Or maybe Mortalis, it's mortal in Latin!. Maybe Mortale from Italian!. If you don't want to use mortal use Earthling!. It's really great!. Or invent one of your own!. Later, you can imagine WHY they have that word that doesn't sound like nono magical!. I hope you understand me =P I would like to read your story so when you have it put it here on Yahoo Answers :D please! :DWww@QuestionHome@Com

I suppose!. But because one is an Earthling doesn't necessarily mean they're non-magical!. Of course it "could" mean that specifically in your story!. Hmmm!.!.!. but maybe a name clearly distinguishing a non-magical Earthling from a magical one!. Or do you already have another name for the magical ones!?

If not, then even a subtle distinction would suffice!. Like Terrien (magical) and M-Terrien (mortal)!? *shrugs* Just a thought!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I think it's fine because not many people will probably know what it means because I didn't before you said it!. Even if it is obvious who cares xD it's your story :)Www@QuestionHome@Com

It seems appropriate just like terrestrials!. We call aliens extra terrestrials, so earthlings could be "terriens" or terrestrials!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I think it's good!. In an anime called Trinity Blood they use it to describe humans!. I don't think many people actually know the meaning of that word!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

i like it i think its unique i haven't seen it in any fantasy booksWww@QuestionHome@Com

I don't think its too obvious at all, as I think very few will get the reference!.

Thank you for answering my question!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yeah sounds like it would fit :)Www@QuestionHome@Com

no!.!.it is just right!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

ya, i like itWww@QuestionHome@Com

Go for it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com