J.K. Rowling Says American Wizards Have A Different Word For 'Muggle'

And it's not great.
Above: Some famous muggles.
Above: Some famous muggles.
Warner Bros

It makes sense that two countries separated by a common language would have different words for non-magical humans, even though we've never thought about it until now.

Apparently, American wizards don't use the term "muggle," which J.K. Rowling invented as a twist on "mug," a British term meaning "easily fooled person." Americans say "no-maj" -- a pretty obvious portmanteau of "no magic."

What are you saying, Jo? Americans aren't as linguistically imaginative as the Brits? You guys get to say "muggle" and we're stuck with a thing that sounds like an off-brand cleaning product?

No fair.

Entertainment Weekly broke the news Wednesday after speaking with producers and cast of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," the "Harry Potter" prequel set in in 1926 New York that is based on Rowling's book of the same title.

The new film is set for release in Nov. 2016.

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