Meaning of "Walks the Earth" badge title?

Tenjoy · 11-18-2008 06:34 PM

Hi everybody,

I was curious about the "Walks the Earth" badge title. (That's the one for the level 35/40 travel power IO memorization badge.)

I can translate it literally, arriving at "somebody who moves about on the surface of the planet on foot" (or something like that). But is that really everything? I've got a hunch feeling that this might be an idiomatic expression, or something used in a specific context.

Unfortunately my search-fu failed to turn up any explanations on this. Could any native speaker or knowledgeable individual shed some light on this?

Thanks for any insights here,

10

The_Phantoms_EU · 11-18-2008 06:37 PM

Well the "Walks" bit might not be taken seriously, "Walks" might be counted to include flying, super speeding, etc.

But remember it does include Run Speed, so that might be the point.

EDIT: Let me explain it more clearly. When you say "I'm going for a walk" that doesn't mean your restricted from running, innit?

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Hi everybody

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Hi Dr Nick!

Standoff · 11-18-2008 06:40 PM

It doesn't have any specific idiomatic meaning in UK English, but does fit into the general and rather vague category of "old, formal phrasing".

It's the sort of thing you'd find in an old bible, or 1800s book, where the author wanted to sound impressive. For examples, "In ancient times, when legends walked the earth".

Days_ · 11-18-2008 06:45 PM

Walks the earth is usually used in a horror or si-fi setting as a profound reveal that some mythical or otherworldly creature is alive and, literally, walking around on this planet.

Steve: 'The dead walk the earth!'

Jeoff: 'you mean zombies are real and shopping at tescos?'

Steve: 'Well, yes, but I was trying to be, you know, dramatic!'

The_Phantoms_EU · 11-18-2008 06:47 PM

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Jeoff: 'you mean zombies are real and shopping at tescos?'

[/ QUOTE ]

They're getting a rip-off by shopping at Tesco they should try ASDA!

Vox_Doom · 11-18-2008 06:47 PM

[ QUOTE ]

Hi everybody,

I was curious about the "Walks the Earth" badge title. (That's the one for the level 35/40 travel power IO memorization badge.)

I can translate it literally, arriving at "somebody who moves about on the surface of the planet on foot" (or something like that). But is that really everything? I've got a hunch feeling that this might be an idiomatic expression, or something used in a specific context.

Unfortunately my search-fu failed to turn up any explanations on this. Could any native speaker or knowledgeable individual shed some light on this?

Thanks for any insights here,

10

[/ QUOTE ]

Your translation pretty much gets what I think the badge literally means, just without the "on foot" bit.

"Roams the Planet" would be more accurate, but wouldn't connect to the meaning that Standoff brought up, which invokes the feeling of your character being somewhat legendary in the world.

Imagine a future in the CoH universe where there are no superheroes and people look back on these days and call them the times when "Gods walked the Earth".

[url=http://vox-doom.deviantart.com]Take A Gander At This.[/url]

Tenjoy · 11-18-2008 06:59 PM

Ah, I believe I get it. The mood is similar to "when Dinosaurs ruled the world". Thanks!

So the German translation of the badge title ("Kind der Erde" ~ "Child of the Earth") really doesn't match.

Oh, and The_Phantoms: Why "Dr Nick"? Who's that?

10

Golden Girl · 11-18-2008 07:02 PM

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Imagine a future in the CoH universe where there are no superheroes and people look back on these days and call them the times when "Gods walked the Earth".

[/ QUOTE ]

And goddesses

@Golden Girl

City of Heroes comics and artwork

khorak_EU · 11-18-2008 07:02 PM

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They're getting a rip-off by shopping at Tesco they should try ASDA!

[/ QUOTE ]

Only people with no self respect shop at ASBO.

Chairman of the Charity of Pain; accepting donations of blood and guts.

Prophet of the Creamy Truth; "If it's empty, fill it with cream."

Vox_Doom · 11-18-2008 07:23 PM

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[ QUOTE ]

Imagine a future in the CoH universe where there are no superheroes and people look back on these days and call them the times when "Gods walked the Earth".

[/ QUOTE ]

And goddesses

[/ QUOTE ]

The word "gods" can refer to all deities collectively, not just male ones.

[url=http://vox-doom.deviantart.com]Take A Gander At This.[/url]

Arctic Man · 11-18-2008 07:25 PM

That expression always makes me think of a conversation in Pulp Fiction.

Golden Girl · 11-18-2008 07:29 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Imagine a future in the CoH universe where there are no superheroes and people look back on these days and call them the times when "Gods walked the Earth".

[/ QUOTE ]

And goddesses

[/ QUOTE ]

The word "gods" can refer to all deities collectively, not just male ones.

[/ QUOTE ]

Which is about as acceptable as "guys" meaning everyone

@Golden Girl

City of Heroes comics and artwork

Arctic Man · 11-18-2008 07:34 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Oh, and The_Phantoms: Why "Dr Nick"? Who's that?
[/color]
10

[/ QUOTE ]

Never seen The Simpsons?

Vox_Doom · 11-18-2008 08:01 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
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Imagine a future in the CoH universe where there are no superheroes and people look back on these days and call them the times when "Gods walked the Earth".

[/ QUOTE ]

And goddesses

[/ QUOTE ]

The word "gods" can refer to all deities collectively, not just male ones.

[/ QUOTE ]

Which is about as acceptable as "guys" meaning everyone

[/ QUOTE ]

Which I also use and have never had any problems with.

Are you one of those people who gets annoyed when people refer to the "race of man" even though the oldest known usage of the word refers to humans, regardless of gender?

Seriously GG, you don't really get wound up when people refer to "gods" when talking about a pantheon like the Egyptian gods or Norse gods and don't use "goddesses" unless specifically referring to a particular female deity, do you?

If so, I have no interest in discussing this with you.

[url=http://vox-doom.deviantart.com]Take A Gander At This.[/url]

khorak_EU · 11-18-2008 08:14 PM

I don't know why you even bothered asking to be honest. Of course she has all the problems you described.

Chairman of the Charity of Pain; accepting donations of blood and guts.

Prophet of the Creamy Truth; "If it's empty, fill it with cream."

Kiken · 11-18-2008 08:15 PM

Back on topic, when someone 'Walks the Earth' it generally means they have given up on normal life and wanders the world, seeking enlightenment or adventure.

If I can quote Jules from Pulp Fiction:

"Basically I'm just gonna walk the earth. You know, like Caine in Kung Fu - walk from place to place, meet people, get in adventures."

I think it may originally have come from the Bible; something about going out into the world and walking up and down upon it.

However, it turned out that Smith was not a time-travelling Terminator

Blue Rabbit · 11-18-2008 08:22 PM

I prefer Days' explanation: something eldritch and eerie now abides in the earthly abode. Tremble ye mortals for your end is nigh!

Muah! Muah ha ha! Muah ahahahahahahahahah!!!!

Rabbits & Hares:Blue (Mind/Emp Controller)Maroon (Rad/Thermal Corruptor)and one of each AT all at 50
MA Arcs: Apples of Contention - 3184; Zen & Relaxation - 35392; Tears of Leviathan - 121733 | All posts are rated "R" for "R-r-rrrrr, baby!"|Now, and this is very important... do you want a hug? COH Faces @Blue Rabbit

khorak_EU · 11-18-2008 08:27 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I prefer Days' explanation: something eldritch and eerie now abides in the earthly abode. Tremble ye mortals for your end is nigh!

Muah! Muah ha ha! Muah ahahahahahahahahah!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

It's difficult to find anything you say scary.

Chairman of the Charity of Pain; accepting donations of blood and guts.

Prophet of the Creamy Truth; "If it's empty, fill it with cream."

Blue Rabbit · 11-18-2008 08:38 PM

Oh poo...

Rabbits & Hares:Blue (Mind/Emp Controller)Maroon (Rad/Thermal Corruptor)and one of each AT all at 50
MA Arcs: Apples of Contention - 3184; Zen & Relaxation - 35392; Tears of Leviathan - 121733 | All posts are rated "R" for "R-r-rrrrr, baby!"|Now, and this is very important... do you want a hug? COH Faces @Blue Rabbit

Vox_Doom · 11-18-2008 08:43 PM

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Oh poo...

[/ QUOTE ]

omg, avatar and post match!

[url=http://vox-doom.deviantart.com]Take A Gander At This.[/url]

FrankyT49_EU · 11-18-2008 08:47 PM

Am I the only one thinking of the quote:
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He who "Walks the Earth?"

[/ QUOTE ]
thats my understanding of the badge meaning...

Golden Girl · 11-18-2008 10:20 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Imagine a future in the CoH universe where there are no superheroes and people look back on these days and call them the times when "Gods walked the Earth".

[/ QUOTE ]

And goddesses

[/ QUOTE ]

The word "gods" can refer to all deities collectively, not just male ones.

[/ QUOTE ]

Which is about as acceptable as "guys" meaning everyone

[/ QUOTE ]

Which I also use and have never had any problems with.

Are you one of those people who gets annoyed when people refer to the "race of man" even though the oldest known usage of the word refers to humans, regardless of gender?

Seriously GG, you don't really get wound up when people refer to "gods" when talking about a pantheon like the Egyptian gods or Norse gods and don't use "goddesses" unless specifically referring to a particular female deity, do you?

If so, I have no interest in discussing this with you.

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I prefer the gender-neutral "deity", or even "pantheon"

@Golden Girl

City of Heroes comics and artwork

Fire_Guardian_EU · 11-18-2008 10:33 PM

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I prefer the gender-neutral "deity", or even "pantheon"

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But Pantheon means the temple of all the Gods.

Pyrokine · 11-19-2008 05:43 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Jeoff: 'you mean zombies are real and shopping at tescos?'

[/ QUOTE ]

They're getting a rip-off by shopping at Tesco they should try ASDA!

[/ QUOTE ]

True! They currently have a "Buy One Get One Free" on Brrainsss!!!

Pyrokine
"Live forever or die tryin'"

Diggis · 11-19-2008 06:16 AM

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I prefer the gender-neutral "deity", or even "pantheon"

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But Pantheon means the temple of all the Gods.

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It can also mean all the gods collectivly. As in the greek pantheon is used to mean (I'm likely going to use the wrong pantheon here ) Zeus, Hera et al. It describes the dieties believed in at the time.