I’m working on a story, which includes a minor nation incorporated into a global federation/state. Said minority has impaired eyesight and relies on artificial devices in daily routine. There are no other significant differences between the minority and common people. I need a tag or a slang label to strap on them, so readers can make a connection between the nickname and difficulties with sight. In most cases, this stamp will be used as an offense. Setting: retro future feeling, pseudo Victorian style 1880-1910. So far I came up with: Bat, like in blind as a bat. I don’t know if makes the link strong and obvious enough though. Mole, which has an underground vibe to it. Not fitting. Thanks for your help.
Perhaps based on what the artificial devices look like? Like how people with glasses are called four-eyes. Slang terms for blind people in particular tends not to exist (I think) because just about everyone can relate to the disability of blindness (just close your eyes and imagine you live like that) and just about everyone never wants to be blind.
If you want something tending towards politically correct maybe "VIs", meaning vision impaired. There would probably be some suspicion that these devices actually give them some enhancement beyond the norm so maybe something with that as an implication might be used such as "X-Rays".
'Clickers' I watched a documentary about visually impaired people who could make clicking sounds, and from the echoes interpret their environment. Take it one step forward and they could be wearing a device that emits inaudible clicks yet gives audio feedback to the user. Hmm. Think I'll patent that idea.
Squints, tappers (white cane tapping). Something related to the law that allows them their vision devices: "The Visually Impaired Citizens Act of 2034 gave all citizens the right to prosthetic-" "Yeah, yeah, I know how the fucking 34s got their damn goggles, I just don't see why I gotta pay for them."
Squints is already used to describe scientific researchers. I think they use it a lot on the television show Bones. Booth calls the people in the lab squints.
and for cops who their fellow cops can't trust not to inform to IAD in the Harry Bosch books ( Michael Connolly)
Barn Missers Vision Inept Midnight Sunners Dolphins Out of Water Echo-locators Creeping Racket Public Fumblers Clackers (using it as a ref. to a military tool to find landmines) Living Zombies (though I am not a fan of zombies in general, but more as to them searching with their hands) Grabbers and Pokers Hand Seers Touchy Feelies Finger Sight IDK, I am running out so I will just post this because it is kinda sorta related.
Oops, a mistake on my part about giving starting info. The minority isn’t completely blind, plus using the goggles negates the handicap with exception of colors. Nevertheless, I have a lot more to chew on now. Thanks a lot!
