Everyday gaming phrases that mean something very different to non-gamers

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Mention an escort mission, and they'll think you're a dirty perv

Multiplayer

Battery back-up

Gamers know it refers to: The use of powered writable memory built into game cartridges to save game data.

Non-gamers think it means: Carrying a spare battery around in case your MP3 player packs up on a long train journey.

Level grinding

Gamers know it refers to: Repeated execution of lower-level side-quests or combat in an RPG in order to attritionally increase an avatars experience level and abilities.

Non-gamers think it means: Really smooth masonry work.

CoD

Gamers know it refers to: Any given entry in the Call of Duty franchise, or the entire franchise as a whole

Non-gamers think it means: Fish.

Character model

Gamers know it refers to: A sculpted and textured polygon mesh used to build an in-game protagonist, enemy or NPC.

Non-gamers think it means: The poor bastards who go through years of theatrical and modelling training only to end up posing in a pirate costume for a fancy dress web-site's promotional photographs.

Kill-screen

Gamers know it refers to: The crashed video display resulting from a fatal game glitch, more common during the golden gaming age of the 70s and 80s when unaccomodated high scores in particular would break a games internal mathematical system.

Non-gamers think it means: The crescendo of a particularly gory scene in a horror film.

Sky box

Gamers know it refers to: The textured enclosure used by 3D games to simulate the sky in outdoor areas.

Non-gamers think it means: The thing that sits underneath the TV and decodes satellite television broadcasts.

XP system

Gamers know it refers to: An underlying character ability development system using a currency of experience points imparted in exchange for in-game actions.

Non-gamers think it means: A PC running a 10-year-old version of Windows.

Sprite

Gamers know it refers to: A piece of 2D art used to depict an in-game character, object or special effect.

Non-gamers think it means: A small supernatural creature, usually humanoid and often having some sort of elemental properties.

Super combo

Gamers know it refers to: An unblockable string of attacks in a fighting game, comprising or culminating in the execution of a special powered-up attack which is earned by charging a dedicated power bar.

Non-gamers think it means: A really good band.

David Houghton
David Houghton
Long-time GR+ writer Dave has been gaming with immense dedication ever since he failed dismally at some '80s arcade racer on a childhood day at the seaside (due to being too small to reach the controls without help). These days he's an enigmatic blend of beard-stroking narrative discussion and hard-hitting Psycho Crushers.