Unless you’ve been slumming it in Knockturn Alley for the past couple of weeks, then you’re aware that shooting has begun for the Harry Potter prequel film, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Eddie Redmayne is starring in the film which is set in New York City in 1926. Fantastic Beasts follows Redmayne’s character, English magizoologist Newt Scamander comes to NYC to embark on a series of adventures. Though we were super excited to see all of the photos from set, the most important revelation to come out of Fantastic Beasts thus far is the American word for “muggle”. J.K. Rowling has revealed that non-magic Americans are called “No-maj” (pronounced “no madge”).
While The Oxford English dictionary added “muggle” in 2003, it doesn’t look like “no-maj” will be added anytime soon. American Potter fans are not too thrilled about this shakeup in the Wizarding World. It’s muggle now, forever, and for always. We aren’t the only ones who feel this way. Check out these epic twitter reactions, while we patiently wait on the American word for squib.
This typical muggle response.
So having people point sticks at each other and yelling gibberish is okay, but when @jk_rowling tells you one new word it’s madness? #nomaj
— Edd Jones (@Outofcanon) November 5, 2015
This person who just can’t deal.
Wait. Americans don’t say muggle? My whole life has been a lie! #nomaj#FantasticBeastspic.twitter.com/4BhNZ7bJqZ
— Ally Moravec (@allyjaney) November 5, 2015
This guy who understands the historical context.
Rowling loves wordplay – #nomaj is blunt, literal & modern. Muggle more cuddly. Implies lots about 1920s US wizard/muggle relations.
— Matthew Ruddle (@RuddleMatthew) November 5, 2015
When we all finally realized how the Brits feel about US slang.
So THIS is how Brits feel when people say sweater instead of jumper. #muggle#nomaj#ohyouamericans
— Mignonne (@notthefilet) November 5, 2015
This girl who could not bear the change.
I’m still saying “muggles.” Sorry Jo! #nomaj
— Nerdista (@Nerdista) November 5, 2015
When we realized this was J.K. Rowling telling us how she really feels.
See, I always suspected @jkrowling wasn’t overly fond of us, but #NoMaj is just cold.
— Sage Blackwood (@urwalder) November 5, 2015
But then we realized it was kind of accurate.
#Nomaj is exactly as silly and stupid as things like #onfleek, or in other words, totally accurate for American slang.
— Brent (@brenton8090) November 4, 2015
