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Why are fantasy stories allergic to the word "wyvern"?

posted 8 months ago by Mynvosa (110)
1 reply | jump to latest

So many fantasy stories refer to wyverns as dragons. I know it doesn't really matter, I know this shouldn't bug me as much as it does, but how hard is it to just call things what they are?

Before you say that they're the same thing or that dragons and wyverns are often used interchangeably in the mythology of several cultures around the world, there's a specific distinction important here. In England, Ireland, and Scotland (where Hogwarts is located), where most of the students and teachers come from, heraldry since the 1500s has treated wyverns and dragons as distinct entities. The key feature? Legs! Wyverns have two, while dragons have a mighty set of four.

[–] stevewyzard (1601) 8 months ago

Authors/screenwriters do not use the word wyvern to avoid having to use exposition to explain what it is. It's far easier in literature to "exposit" on the differences, but filmed productions are always pressed for time, and will always prefer to use a far more common word/term that the audience can easily identify with. "Wyvern" does not appear in most dictionaries, and most people coming across the term will be unsure about its proper usage and pronunciation.

I'm not entirely sure, but it's entirely possible that even Rowling was unfamiliar with the term when she originally conceived the Harry Potter series.