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Cosmopolis

Cosmopolis is the most widely spoken language throughout space in the Milky Way. It is millions of years in the making, an ever-shifting vernacular with near-infinite dialects. Cosmopolis is just one of countless names used to describe this language - it is an amalgamation of hundreds of languages spoken by the people of space throughout history.

It is expected of a frequent traveller of space to speak Cosmopolis. The only excuse is if you do not possess the vocal chords to produce certain sounds, but there are substitutes to use, widely understood and accepted. All advertisements, gadgets, manuals, and any other written-word tools and resources use Cosmopolis.

Cosmopolis can be a difficult language to fully understand, as commonly spoken idioms stem from hundreds of different planets and the language is ever-changing. Many idioms originate from popular media, including widely known TV shows, online celebrities, and phrases passed down generations.

History

The earliest "modern" form of Cosmopolis dates back around twenty-five thousand years ago. Core aspects of the language have remained mostly unchanged, but it has been influenced over the years.

It first evolved from the clusterfarers in the Selvos Cluster. These folk erected Planetary Communication Lines, that allowed the hundred and three planets in the solar system to send instantaneous signals to one another.

This language, a blend of other languages from twenty planets in the Selvos Cluster, became the only language spoken through the communication lines. Decoders at every end point of this labyrinth of electromagnetic waves were trained fluency in Cosmopolis.

Gradually, the language spread beyond the bounds of this giant solar system, many space councils and colonies adopting it as their national language. Within a few thousand years the language dominated the galaxy's spacial void, becoming the native language of those born in space, and a secondary language of 93% of frequent space-goers.

Common Idioms

Stack it, don't stick it

Improve what you already have, don't start from scratch.
An idiom originating on Razhea Capita, it refers to how the planet's infrastructure is stacked on top of old, abandoned buildings, rather than completely rebuilding.
Used by itself

There's paradise behind every black hole

Something good follows every bad situation.
Unknown origin, it refers to how black holes are wormholes to other realms. Removing "black" from the phrase gives it a whole new meaning.
Used by itself

Don't eat a stick of moomoos

Don't make up lies about your family and friends.
Originates from Cilvarth. Nobody is quite sure where it came from. It is often said to close family and friends in social gatherings.
Used by itself

Slap your back

To make a joke at someone's expense.
It originates from Tihjay, where corvidians enjoy ridiculing others. It is one of the most common idioms used in the Milky Way.
Used in a sentence

What a cloudhopper

An insult used to describe someone always in other's business.
Unknown origin. A cloudhopper is a species invasive on thousands of planets in the Milky Way.
Used by itself

Like cold tea

Something that is disappointing.
Originating from the Middle Mountains on Cilvarth, drinking cold tea is disappointing, as tea is often drank to warm the body and soul.
Used in a sentence

You lose part of yourself to become a cyborg.

It takes sacrifice to earn something great.
Originates from Cvorvatis, where most people purchase cyborg attachments, sacrificing body parts for the process.
Used by itself

Rip someone's tail off

To joke with someone.
Variations used on countless planets, but since most humanoid sophonts have tails, this became the default.
Used in a sentence

Silver and scarlet

To call something silver and scarlet is to call it perfect.
Originates from Rubrinea, where the most valuable coloured dyes are silver and scarlet.
Used in a sentence
Spoken by

Related Articles

Selvos Cluster
Geographic Location | Mar 21, 2025

The largest solar system in the Milky Way. The Selvos Cluster holds 103 planets, all orbiting a white dwarf.

Clusterfarers
Ethnicity | Jan 24, 2025

An important group of people to the history of the Selvos Cluster; the Clusterfarers established communication lines between the hundred planets in case of emergencies.

Milky Way
Geographic Location | Mar 16, 2025

The largest galaxy in District 2.


Comments

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Jul 13, 2025 18:16 by CoolG

I really admire people who can talk about a conlang without technical :D And I love the idioms you use! "Don't eat a stick of moomoos" is my favourite ^^

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Jul 14, 2025 18:06 by Mochi

Thank you so much! The technical side of conlangs is probably something I'll never develop, just isn't fun for me xD <3

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Jul 13, 2025 21:11

This language article read like hot tea ;)

Jul 14, 2025 18:06 by Mochi

hehehe thank you! <3

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Jul 14, 2025 14:22 by Keon Croucher

This is a creative approach to the prompt Mochi, I like it a lot well done! I love the diversity of the idioms you came up with, really selling the language's roots being an ever evolving kit bash of all those worlds. Well done! :)

Keon Croucher, Chronicler of the Age of Revitalization
Jul 14, 2025 18:07 by Mochi

Thank you so much Keon! I'm not too confident writing language articles, but I think this one came out quite nicely, despite it not going into any technical details :D <3

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Jul 14, 2025 23:20 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

Love this idea that it is a sort of amalgamation of lots of different languages. This is definitely not like cold tea.

Emy x
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Jul 19, 2025 10:46 by Mochi

Thank you so much! <3

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Jul 15, 2025 02:20

"removing 'black' from the phrase gives it a whole new meaning." I had a good laugh at this but why mochi   Typo (I think): "...something a silver and scarlet..."

Jul 19, 2025 10:47 by Mochi

HEHE   thank you for spotting it! will fix <3

I hope you have a great day!   Explore the endless planets brimming with life of the Yonderverse! Go after creatures, discover new places, and learn about the people you find along the way.   Come prep for Summer Camp with me!
Jul 22, 2025 04:01

I bet this has nightmarish grammar :/

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