THERIOMORPHIC TERMS AND PHRASES.

What follows is a list of terms used by various members of the newsgroup. Over the years AHWW has developed its own terms and phrases that relate to various aspects of therianthropy.

Autohypnosis Dreaming EuroHowls Furry Greymuzzle Helpstaff Howls Lurking Lycanthropy M-Shift Nuzzle Phenotypes

P-Shift Scritch Shapeshifting Spooge Tailwags [\|/] Therianthropy Ululations Were Werecards Werenatures Werezine Yiff

What is Autohypnosis?

Autohypnosis is a method used to create a lucid dream. It involves physical relaxation followed by mental control exercises. There is a section describing autohypnosis on the Therianthropy page.

What is Dreaming?

Dreaming is a lucid dream, which is sometimes self induced using autohypnosis techniques. In these Dreams Weres can imagine themselves in other physical forms, and although it is a Dream it appears reasonably realistic. However the Dreamer is normally still aware that it is only a Dream.

What is a EuroHowl?

A EuroHowl is a Howl which is held in Europe. There have been several held in the UK, details of which can be found elsewhere on this site.

What is a Furry?

A "Furry" is someone who likes anthropomorphic animal characters. (Think animal cartoon characters.) While therianthropy is mainly spiritual, a Furry is more into the physical nature. Although there is common ground between the two, there are separate newsgroups for Furries such as alt.fan.furry and alt.lifestyle.furry.

What is a Greymuzzle?

A Greymuzzle is a member of the pack who's been around the group longer than they care to admit. If you remember what the AHWW Werezine was, you're a Greymuzzle. :)

Who are the HelpStaff?

The HelpStaff were created several years ago, in attempt to help newcomers to the group. These were soon disbanded however, as no one could settle on who was and who shouldn't be part of the HelpStaff. It was also considered rather elitist, a label which does not go down well on AHWW.

What is a Howl?

A Howl is a gathering of AHWW packmembers, where they... er... howl. These meetings help Weres to get together and be around people who are more understanding and tolerant of animal natures. You can learn more about Howls by visiting the EuroHowl'96 and EuroHowl'97 web pages.

What is Lurking?

Lurking is the term used to describe a member of the pack who is reading the newsgroup but not posting to it. Normally this is a newcomer to the group, who has yet to "de-lurk" by posting their Werecard.

What is Lycanthropy? A Lycanthrope?

"Lycanthrope" is the technical term for a Werewolf. It is also the medical term used by psychologists to describe someone mentally ill, who thinks that they are an animal. "Lycanthropy" is the subject of Werewolves.

What is an M-Shift?

An "M-Shift", or "mental shift", is when someone takes on the mind set of their Phenotype. That is, they think and act like an animal, yet they do not physically become the animal.

What is a Nuzzle?

A nuzzle is when someone rubs their muzzle against someone else. It is normally used as a greeting or a sign of affection.

What is a Phenotype?

A Phenotype is the animal(s) to which someone feels connected to. For example, a Werewolf's phenotype would be the wolf, while a WereTiger's phenotype would be the tiger. It is possible to have more than one phenotype, though normally it is just one.

What is an P-Shift?

A "P-Shift", or "physical shift", is when someone takes on the physical form of their Phenotype. They physically change into a form which more closely resembles that of an animal. Very few people actually claim to be able to do this.

What is a Scritch? Scritching?

A "Scritch" is like a "nuzzle", in that it is used as a greeting or a sign of affection. It describes the action of scratching someone's fur in an affectionate manner, like you would a dog.

What is Shapeshifting?

Shapeshifting is used to describe physical shifting, where the body physically changes to that of the person's phenotype.

What is Spooge?

Spooge is a term passed across from the Furry domain, and is used to describe sexual fluids, mostly male. For example, "Spooge Artwork" would refer to Furry Erotic Artwork.

What are Tailwags [\|/]?

Tailwags, normally depicted as "\|/", indicates that the writer is wagging their tail. Normally used in posts and Emails as a form of greeting, or a sign of joy or excitement.

What is Therianthropy?

Therianthropy is the "politically correct" term for Lycanthropy. It is similar in meaning to Lycanthropy, but is not wolf specific, and can be used to describe any phenotype.

What does "Ululations" mean?

This is my own personal term, taken from the word "Ululate", to howl or wail. Therefore, "Ululations" means to howl in greeting.

What is a Were?

A "Were" is someone who is part animal, such as a WereWolf, or a WereTiger.

What is a Werecard?

A Werecard is a form used by the AHWW newsgroup which contains personal details about a specific Were. It asks about physical appearance, interests, and personal therianthropy.

What is a Werenature?

A "Werenature" is the animal side of someone, or their connection towards their animal side. Similar in meaning to Therianthropy.

What is the Werezine?

The Werezine was created several years ago, but still gets the occasional mention. It was a magazine created by several packmembers, which contained Werecards of most of the packmembers who were there at the time. A rather prized possession, since no others have been successfully created since.

What is a Yiff? Yiffing?

"Yiff" is a noise made by an animal, such as "Woof!" or "Bark!". To "Yiff" or "Yiffing" can also be used to describe sexual intercourse between Weres.