Orc or Ork?

[Androxine Vortex]

Hey everybody just a quick question here. I'm not really going to go too far into detail here but for another project I'm working on, it involves Orcs. The ony thing is, I'm not sure whether to call them "Orcs" or "Orks." I guess Orc is the most popular used version but I myself am so used to seeing it spelled Ork (again, huge Warhammer fan here) that when I see it spelled any other way, it just looks wrong. I know in the long run it really dosen't matter but what do you think?

(Even though I am very used to it being spelled "ork" I think I am leaning more towards spelling it with a "c")

 

[Steerpike]

I'd go with "orc." To me, that is the more general usage. I associate "ork" with WH40K only, and it would be odd to me to see it spelled that way outside of WH40K.

Just one opinion

 

[myrddin173]

"Orc" is the way Tolkien spelled it, but neither is the "correct" spelling. I don't even think there is one. I would prefer orc, but that is just the way I am used to seeing it. If you are leaning towards one, than use it. If you change your mind its easy enough to change.

 

[Androxine Vortex]

I'd go with "orc." To me, that is the more general usage. I associate "ork" with WH40K only, and it would be odd to me to see it spelled that way outside of WH40K.

Just one opinion

Well that's exactly what I was thinking as well, just wasn't sure and I wanted to get an actual opinion from others

 

[Androxine Vortex]

"Orc" is the way Tolkien spelled it, but neither is the "correct" spelling. I don't even think there is one. I would prefer orc, but that is just the way I am used to seeing it. If you are leaning towards one, than use it. If you change your mind its easy enough to change.

Maybe I could be a visionary and make my own spelling. ORQ
lol (just kidding of course)

 

[Philip Overby]

I'd lean towards orc, because like Steerpike says, ork is usually seen as a WH version.

You can always go another route and do like Elder Scrolls and name the race Orsimer. That way it looks like an orc and acts like an orc, but isn't necessarily an orc. Orc could just be their common name.

 

[Androxine Vortex]

I'd lean towards orc, because like Steerpike says, ork is usually seen as a WH version.

You can always go another route and do like Elder Scrolls and name the race Orsimer. That way it looks like an orc and acts like an orc, but isn't necessarily an orc. Orc could just be their common name.

Hmm maybe. I did like how they named the Orcs Orsimer and the Dwarves Dwenmer and so on. It jsut felt a little different and refreshing. Ironically I am playing Skyrim right now (sadly I'm a Dark Elf)

 

[Drakhov]

Maybe I could be a visionary and make my own spelling. ORQ
lol (just kidding of course)

Of course - the correct spelling would be Orque

 

[Androxine Vortex]

Of course - the correct spelling would be Orque

So says you

 

[Ghost]

Call them "orca" and write a touching story about a boy who tries to free one.

 

[Queshire]

According to the TVtropes article on Orcs, Orcs is generally for fantasy stories, while Ork is more for modern / future stories. Personally I'm used to Orc but use whatever feels natural to you, or hell, use both, have two groups of Orq, (I like that spelling) One spelled with a C the other with a K that are constantly at war over which to use.

More seriously though, I think you also need to consider the feel your going with your Orqs, this is just me, but Orcs makes me think Lawful Evil while Ork is more Chaotic Evil, as much as such distinctions apply. Like, Orcs might attack your village 'cuz they want your food and women and you could prevent an attack with a tribute, while an Ork might just attack 'cuz it seemed like a fun idea at the time.

 

[Androxine Vortex]

According to the TVtropes article on Orcs, Orcs is generally for fantasy stories, while Ork is more for modern / future stories. Personally I'm used to Orc but use whatever feels natural to you, or hell, use both, have two groups of Orq, (I like that spelling) One spelled with a C the other with a K that are constantly at war over which to use.

More seriously though, I think you also need to consider the feel your going with your Orqs, this is just me, but Orcs makes me think Lawful Evil while Ork is more Chaotic Evil, as much as such distinctions apply. Like, Orcs might attack your village 'cuz they want your food and women and you could prevent an attack with a tribute, while an Ork might just attack 'cuz it seemed like a fun idea at the time.

Oh goodness, a war on grammar XD

 

[Aidan of the tavern]

To be honest I don't want to encourage too much direct replication of Tolkien's races, it makes it more mainstream as opposed to "his thing", so I would personally give them a brand new name. However, you should go with whatever works for you.

 

[SeverinR]

Call them "orca" and write a touching story about a boy who tries to free one.

But I picture a land based black and white whale attacking people.

To be honest I don't want to encourage too much direct replication of Tolkien's races, it makes it more mainstream as opposed to "his thing", so I would personally give them a brand new name. However, you should go with whatever works for you.

Yes Tolkiens, but also:
WOW, D&D(AD&D), Skyrim, forgotten realms,

Orc as defined by dictionary.com:

as a mythical creature, such as an ogre.(paraphrased)

Ork-the famed home planet of Mork, from the show Mork and Mindy, spin off of Happy days alien invader. Mork from Ork.
WH40k, runescape, dictionary.com "See orc"

Being orc is a mthical creature it is not a copywrited/trademarked word. So spell it how you like, but I believe most people will do as Dictionary.com says and change it in their minds to orc.

 

[Androxine Vortex]

But I picture a land based black and white whale attacking people.

You do not know how hard I just laughed reading that

 

[Benjamin Clayborne]

Just call them orckques and be done with it.

 

[Anders Ämting]

Well, it depends. Do they use magic or magik?

 

[Drakhov]

Well, it depends. Do they use magic or magik?

Or indeed magique

 

[Androxine Vortex]

Or indeed magique

Or indeed, indeed magickque

This thread has now lost all sense of seriousness XD

 

[SlimShady]

Well, I always thought ork was seen more in science fiction. Orc would probably be better IMHO. Or just create a completely new name. But, orc is the best. Short, sweet, and right to the point.