Brilliant chapter, very entertaining, but what threw me was Dobby pulling out the copy of Hogwarts: A History; made me think that it was Hermione doing the beat down, until Dobby appeared in the DMLE.
Language: I've been a Dockworker for 14 years, so it's fair to say that I've learnt a few of the more colourful phrases out there. "Wog" is very much for Black people or Indian/Pakistani, and it became a household thing in Britain when Robertsons allowed you to collect tokens on jam to redeem for Gollywog badges. A Dago is rarely used term for Spanish people, more likely to use the word "Spic(k)". And a Gyppo is either a Gypsy (who are originally from Egypt) or a slang term for Caravan Using Nomadic Traveler.
If you need any help with English swearwords, let me know; I've got a bucket full!
Author's response
Heya MagnaMorbius.
Actually, I threw the 'Hogwarts: A History' in for comedy effect. In addition, I wanted Cho to see it and wondered where she'd seen it before.
Language and epithets: Isn't it amazing how often terms and words our parents tell us not to us are advertised to children like that? Go figger!
I didn't know the Gypsies came from Egypt, though now I think of it, it makes sense. The only Gypsies I was aware of were of and around Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary.
I'm done with the swearwords for now, but in the future, if you don't mind,I'll check with you for more common terms, translations and the like.
Alorkin