Words and Questions

[ms_labyrinth]

'Muggle' - term to describe person without magic pointing stick (usually referred to as a 'wand'). Usually demeaning(?)

Have I got that right? Any information appreciated; it seems a bit confusing...

Comments

[jareth]

Hmm. I'm without a magic pointing st - err.
Well, I don't use a wand, but I use magic, and I've yet to be called a muggle. I think perhaps it's a term reserved for beings without any magical ability? Or just humans without magic?

[a_life_of_ennui]

I had rather thought it was for beings without magic in general. ..I suppose I could be wrong, however.
*Totally fails at this kind of knowledge*

[cannon_fanatic]

It's not generally demeaning, though death eaters have taken to making it that way.

[speakingofwit]

A Muggle is, simply, a non-magical human being. As young Mr. Weasley said, it is not meant to be demeaning. When in company of other wizards, for example, I refer to my own parents as Muggles and I certainly have no intention of being demeaning towards them. Some wizards simply use it as a derogatory term due to their belief that all non-magical people are lesser than themselves. These are generally the same wizards who would say that I have no right to use magic simply because neither of my parents had the ability to do so.

I hope clarifies things for you rather than causing any further confusion.

[ms_labyrinth]

Thank you very much, that was most helpful!

Um, if you don't mind too much, I've got a few more questions...
Magic is an ability you have to be born with, then? It can't be learnt?
And what exactly is the role played by the wands? What are they for?

[speakingofwit]

You're quite welcome and I don't mind in the slightest. Any questions I can answer, I will.

Magic, as the wizards who use terms such as Muggle are concerned, is something you are born with, yes. Seeing as so many people in this community come from so many different places, it could be different for others. As far as the world I know, you are born with or without magic. Those born with it then attend schools to help them learn to use and control it.

Wands, for the most part, are a tool used to focus magic. Without a wand, most wizards are incapable of focusing their magic enough for it to be of any real use. Many wizards and witches manifest show their magical abilities as children by accidentally doing things they shouldn't be able to do. I, for example, knocked entire shelves clean of their contents when overly excited as a child. It is all but unheard of, however, for a witch or wizard to be able to use magic for anything terribly constructive without a wand.