smoothskin

English

Etymology

From smooth +‎ skin

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /smuːð.skɪn/

Noun

Two cosplayers portraying Lucy MacLean (left), a smoothskin, and Cooper Howard, a ghoul.

smoothskin (plural smoothskins)

1. (fantasy, slang) A human being (as viewed by barbarians or more aggressive races).
   • 2011, Mike Wild, The Trials of Trass Kathra, →ISBN, page 111:

     "Ya know, for a smoothskin, you can down yer drink as well as a dwarf!"

   • 2018, Michael Moorcock, Barbarians of Mars, →ISBN, page 43:

     'You talk heresy, smoothskin,' the barbarian growled. 'Watch your step. Who are you anyway?'

   • 2024 October 9, Sarah Barrett, “‘Fallout’ 101: Your Guide to Ghouls”, in The Mary Sue‎^[1]:

     There’s a big divide between Ghouls and regular people—some Ghouls use the mildly insulting nickname “smoothskin” for humans.