Words Can Break My Bones: Difference between revisions

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== Anime ==
== Anime ==
* The Lotis and Maram Words from Yuu Watase's manga ''[[Alice 19th]]''.
* The Lotis and Maram Words from Yuu Watase's manga ''[[Alice 19th]]''.
* A more literal version of this is in ''[[Six Six Six Satan]]'' where the character [[Punny Name|Spika]] has an [[Applied Phlebotinum|O-Part]] that can materialize words she shouts into them that are like what she says (for example, when she yells "Spikey" the word "Spikey" in Japanese will appear in block letters with spikes coming out).
* A more literal version of this is in ''[[666 Satan]]'' where the character [[Punny Name|Spika]] has an [[Applied Phlebotinum|O-Part]] that can materialize words she shouts into them that are like what she says (for example, when she yells "Spikey" the word "Spikey" in Japanese will appear in block letters with spikes coming out).
* In the 12th movie of ''[[Dragonball]] Z'', Pikkon finds out that the hold that Janemba, the [[Reality Warper|reality-warping]] [[Big Bad]], has over the afterlife is weakened by harsh words. So after he releases Enma Daiou, he joins Goku and Vegeta in the battle, and holds Janemba off by [[Cluster F-Bomb|cursing at him]], breaking apart his face, then firing ki blasts at him.
* In the 12th movie of ''[[Dragon Ball]] Z'', Pikkon finds out that the hold that Janemba, the [[Reality Warper|reality-warping]] [[Big Bad]], has over the afterlife is weakened by harsh words. So after he releases Enma Daiou, he joins Goku and Vegeta in the battle, and holds Janemba off by [[Cluster F-Bomb|cursing at him]], breaking apart his face, then firing ki blasts at him.
* In the 4th arc of ''[[Jo Jo's Bizarre Adventure (Manga)|Jo Jos Bizarre Adventure]]'', the character Koichi gets various forms of this as his stand power. What happens is that if his stand hits another person words get written on him or her which start to call out whatever the word is in an increasing volume. Next is when he makes a word and throws it onto something if someone touches the word the effect will take place. (Touching the word Whooosh blows someone away, touching Burn cause someone to catch on fire, and touching Bounce will cause someone to bounce off of whatever the word is one regardless of how sharp the object is normally without harm.
* In the 4th arc of ''[[Jo Jo's Bizarre Adventure|Jo Jos Bizarre Adventure]]'', the character Koichi gets various forms of this as his stand power. What happens is that if his stand hits another person words get written on him or her which start to call out whatever the word is in an increasing volume. Next is when he makes a word and throws it onto something if someone touches the word the effect will take place. (Touching the word Whooosh blows someone away, touching Burn cause someone to catch on fire, and touching Bounce will cause someone to bounce off of whatever the word is one regardless of how sharp the object is normally without harm.
* In the anime (and original manga) ''[[Loveless]]'', characters participate in Spell Battles where words do exactly what they say, restraining, cutting, burning, or banishing opponents. The effectiveness of an attack seems to be directly related to the floweriness or complexity of the spoken "spell".
* In the anime (and original manga) ''[[Loveless]]'', characters participate in Spell Battles where words do exactly what they say, restraining, cutting, burning, or banishing opponents. The effectiveness of an attack seems to be directly related to the floweriness or complexity of the spoken "spell".
* In ''[[Yu Yu Hakusho]]'', one psychic has the ability to create a territory in which no one can say a taboo word. Anyone who does has their soul ripped out.
* In ''[[Yu Yu Hakusho]]'', one psychic has the ability to create a territory in which no one can say a taboo word. Anyone who does has their soul ripped out.
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** [[Elite Mook]] Yomazu can to this as well, only he writes his in Japanese with his sword. As a result he can abruptly change the effect without rewriting simply by declaring a different meaning of the Kanji.
** [[Elite Mook]] Yomazu can to this as well, only he writes his in Japanese with his sword. As a result he can abruptly change the effect without rewriting simply by declaring a different meaning of the Kanji.
* The Words of Awakening in ''[[Madlax]]'', which induce homicidal insanity.
* The Words of Awakening in ''[[Madlax]]'', which induce homicidal insanity.
* Skuld from ''[[Ah! My Goddess (Manga)|Ah My Goddess]]'' gains the ability to forcefully "print" her words on people or things. While not very powerful, it appears to involve enough force to stagger people. Both Urd and Keiichi are frequent victims of this, with Skuld's favorite insults for them being "idiot" and "pervert", respectively.
* Skuld from ''[[Ah! My Goddess]]'' gains the ability to forcefully "print" her words on people or things. While not very powerful, it appears to involve enough force to stagger people. Both Urd and Keiichi are frequent victims of this, with Skuld's favorite insults for them being "idiot" and "pervert", respectively.
* This appears several times in [[To Aru Majutsu no Index (Anime)|Toaru Majutsu no Index]]. In its first form, magicians must first state their magic name to begin using their actual magic. We later see {{spoiler|Index in her Johan's Pen mode}} utter the words "Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani?" literally "God, God, why have you forsaken me?" to power up a spell specifically to destroy Stiyl's [[Elemental Powers|Flame Summon]]. Towards the end, this trope is again invoked when {{spoiler|Index}} interferes with the control spells in place on a golem simply by uttering [[Gratuitous English|English letters]] in certain sequences. This scene also borders on a [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|crowning moment of awesome]].
* This appears several times in [[To Aru Majutsu no Index|Toaru Majutsu no Index]]. In its first form, magicians must first state their magic name to begin using their actual magic. We later see {{spoiler|Index in her Johan's Pen mode}} utter the words "Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani?" literally "God, God, why have you forsaken me?" to power up a spell specifically to destroy Stiyl's [[Elemental Powers|Flame Summon]]. Towards the end, this trope is again invoked when {{spoiler|Index}} interferes with the control spells in place on a golem simply by uttering [[Gratuitous English|English letters]] in certain sequences. This scene also borders on a [[Crowning Moment of Awesome]].
* An interesting variation in [[Mx 0]]: Fumi Izuno's magic object is a calligraphy brush, and her ability is that everything she writes with it acquires reality. For example, in the last Magic Class Match, she and another student are seen fighting a golem, and in a given moment, she writes the word "Defense" in the air with her brush; the words immediately turn into a magic shield that stops one of the golem's fists in front of her.
* An interesting variation in [[Mx0]]: Fumi Izuno's magic object is a calligraphy brush, and her ability is that everything she writes with it acquires reality. For example, in the last Magic Class Match, she and another student are seen fighting a golem, and in a given moment, she writes the word "Defense" in the air with her brush; the words immediately turn into a magic shield that stops one of the golem's fists in front of her.
* ''[[Aphorism]]'' is about a [[Extranormal Institute|supernatural high school]] where each student must choose a kanji character whose meaning, [[Your Mind Makes It Real|combined with the power of the student's imagination]], will later be used as the student's weapon in various battles and trials.
* ''[[Aphorism]]'' is about a [[Extranormal Institute|supernatural high school]] where each student must choose a kanji character whose meaning, [[Your Mind Makes It Real|combined with the power of the student's imagination]], will later be used as the student's weapon in various battles and trials.
* {{spoiler|Yuu}} from ''[[Kore wa Zombie Desu Ka]]'' is so powerful that she [[Cute Mute|never speaks]] because her very words can [[Reality Warper|effect reality]]. She can even kill someone just by speaking the word "die".
* {{spoiler|Yuu}} from ''[[Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?]]'' is so powerful that she [[Cute Mute|never speaks]] because her very words can [[Reality Warper|effect reality]]. She can even kill someone just by speaking the word "die".
* Arias can kill lesser demons in ''[[Blue Exorcist (Manga)|Blue Exorcist]]'' by reciting a "Fatal Verse", a segment from the bible and other holy scriptures. The problem is that there is a different verse for each type of demon (thus you must memorize which verse kills who), and the Aria becomes defenseless until finishing reciting.
* Arias can kill lesser demons in ''[[Blue Exorcist]]'' by reciting a "Fatal Verse", a segment from the bible and other holy scriptures. The problem is that there is a different verse for each type of demon (thus you must memorize which verse kills who), and the Aria becomes defenseless until finishing reciting.
* Kotoha from ''[[Yozakura Quartet]]'' can create any object, as long as she knows what it's made of, with her words. And she is a MASSIVE fan of WWII Weaponry.
* Kotoha from ''[[Yozakura Quartet]]'' can create any object, as long as she knows what it's made of, with her words. And she is a MASSIVE fan of WWII Weaponry.


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* In ''[[Ex Machina]]'', Mitchell's powers work like this, {{spoiler|as do Pherson's and Suzanne's}}.
* In ''[[Ex Machina]]'', Mitchell's powers work like this, {{spoiler|as do Pherson's and Suzanne's}}.
* [[Zatanna]] can do just about anything by reciting words and sentences backwards. Her cousin Zatarra can also do this although he can't directly affect living things.
* [[Zatanna]] can do just about anything by reciting words and sentences backwards. Her cousin Zatarra can also do this although he can't directly affect living things.
* Nico from ''[[Runaways (Comic Book)|Runaways]]'' can use the Staff of One to create any magical effect she can describe (usually in one or two words). However, each description can only be used once.
* Nico from ''[[Runaways]]'' can use the Staff of One to create any magical effect she can describe (usually in one or two words). However, each description can only be used once.




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** And are themselves hurt by the word "it".
** And are themselves hurt by the word "it".
** You said it! And now I said it! I said it again! I said it again! [[Tethercat Principle|I SAID IT AGAIN!]]
** You said it! And now I said it! I said it again! I said it again! [[Tethercat Principle|I SAID IT AGAIN!]]
* Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo - the magic words of the Fairy Godmother in Disney's ''[[Cinderella (Disney)|Cinderella]]''.
* Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo - the magic words of the Fairy Godmother in Disney's ''[[Cinderella (Disney film)|Cinderella]]''.
* ''[[Bedknobs and Broomsticks]]'' give us the spell of Substitutiary Locomotion ("giving life to things without"): '''Treguna Mekoides Trecorum Satis Dee'''. Which sounds ''really' creepy when the things the spell animates (like empty suits of armor) start repeating it...
* ''[[Bedknobs and Broomsticks]]'' give us the spell of Substitutiary Locomotion ("giving life to things without"): '''Treguna Mekoides Trecorum Satis Dee'''. Which sounds ''really' creepy when the things the spell animates (like empty suits of armor) start repeating it...
* In the silent movie ''[[The Golem (Film)|The Golem]]'', it is a scroll inscribed with a magic word ({{smallcaps|Aemaet}}) that brings the [[Golem]] to life. This is consistent with the traditional Golem lore.
* In the silent movie ''[[The Golem]]'', it is a scroll inscribed with a magic word ({{smallcaps|Aemaet}}) that brings the [[Golem]] to life. This is consistent with the traditional Golem lore.




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* Miranda Windwood Rose, from the short story of the same name by Janni Lee Simner, is a magic name, letting the owner hear and see magic. This leads to the main character being an outcast.
* Miranda Windwood Rose, from the short story of the same name by Janni Lee Simner, is a magic name, letting the owner hear and see magic. This leads to the main character being an outcast.
* In [[Chronicles of Thomas Covenant]], those who study Earthpower learn various words of power that the cause pain to anything "wrong."
* In [[Chronicles of Thomas Covenant]], those who study Earthpower learn various words of power that the cause pain to anything "wrong."
* Variation in ''[[Discworld (Literature)|Discworld]]'', overlapping with [[Numerological Motif]]: the number between seven and nine is associated with powerful magic, and wizards generally avoid referring to it directly. In ''[[Discworld (Literature)/The Colour of Magic|The Colour of Magic]]'', one chapter has the characters in the temple of [[Eldritch Abomination|Bel-Shamharoth]], where ''no one'' can refer to said number for fear of waking him.
* Variation in ''[[Discworld]]'', overlapping with [[Numerological Motif]]: the number between seven and nine is associated with powerful magic, and wizards generally avoid referring to it directly. In ''[[Discworld/The Colour of Magic|The Colour of Magic]]'', one chapter has the characters in the temple of [[Eldritch Abomination|Bel-Shamharoth]], where ''no one'' can refer to said number for fear of waking him.
* [[Kate Daniels]] knows a few.
* [[Kate Daniels]] knows a few.
* In the ''[[Myst]]'' novels, the backstory of the "magical books" is fleshed out; we learn about "mighty words," which if used in the proper context (that is, with the right ink and on the right paper) can modify the linked world. And Earth was originally reached by the D'ni through such a Book.
* In the ''[[Myst]]'' novels, the backstory of the "magical books" is fleshed out; we learn about "mighty words," which if used in the proper context (that is, with the right ink and on the right paper) can modify the linked world. And Earth was originally reached by the D'ni through such a Book.
** Though the linking process works more akin to a magical search engine, the book seeking out the world that best fits the description given, the words used can also change a world once the link is made, and are described in terms of this trope. In ''The Book of Atrus'', Anna explains about 'levels' of words, the simplest being a description of a thing, the next being a modifier of such a description, i.e. a meta-word. She never says what the third level is, but it's implied to be the performative word, one which alters what it describes.
** Though the linking process works more akin to a magical search engine, the book seeking out the world that best fits the description given, the words used can also change a world once the link is made, and are described in terms of this trope. In ''The Book of Atrus'', Anna explains about 'levels' of words, the simplest being a description of a thing, the next being a modifier of such a description, i.e. a meta-word. She never says what the third level is, but it's implied to be the performative word, one which alters what it describes.
* Quantum linguistics in the ''[[Doctor Who (TV)|Doctor Who]]'' [[Expanded Universe]], used by the [[Cthulhu Mythos|Great Old Ones]]. Remarkably similar to the magic of the Carrionites in "The Shakespeare Code," below.
* Quantum linguistics in the ''[[Doctor Who]]'' [[Expanded Universe]], used by the [[Cthulhu Mythos|Great Old Ones]]. Remarkably similar to the magic of the Carrionites in "The Shakespeare Code," below.
* in [[The Bookof All Hours]] by Hal Duncan - the Cant, the metaphysical language of the Vellum. humans transform into Unkin when an event in their lives causes them to hear the Cant from underneath reality, echoing from the Vellum. Unkin can then use it to reshape reality, warp and change spacetime itself as well as the Vellum.
* in [[The Bookof All Hours]] by Hal Duncan - the Cant, the metaphysical language of the Vellum. humans transform into Unkin when an event in their lives causes them to hear the Cant from underneath reality, echoing from the Vellum. Unkin can then use it to reshape reality, warp and change spacetime itself as well as the Vellum.
* In ''[[The Lord of the Rings (Literature)|The Lord of the Rings]]'' legendarium, where the world was essentially ''sung'' into existence, [[Words Can Break My Bones|words]] and [[Magic Music|song]] have great power. Many of the most significant magical acts in the series are not of the fire and brimstone variety, but rather acts of word or song that influence the nature of their surroundings in the speaker's favour. Names also have a power; names such as Elbereth and Earendil are used to repel creatures of the Shadow, and Treebeard warns Merry and Pippin against giving out their [[I Know Your True Name|right names]] lightly.
* In ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' legendarium, where the world was essentially ''sung'' into existence, [[Words Can Break My Bones|words]] and [[Magic Music|song]] have great power. Many of the most significant magical acts in the series are not of the fire and brimstone variety, but rather acts of word or song that influence the nature of their surroundings in the speaker's favour. Names also have a power; names such as Elbereth and Earendil are used to repel creatures of the Shadow, and Treebeard warns Merry and Pippin against giving out their [[I Know Your True Name|right names]] lightly.
* A form of this in [[Tales of Kolmar (Literature)|Tales of Kolmar]]. Servants of the Goddess Shia in times of great peril can be blessed by Her for an instant, and in that instant She speaks through them, using words they don't understand and don't need to have ever heard before. Nobody knows what they mean, but nothing can stand against them - and when they're spoken in this way, it's said that someone close to the Servant, someone they value dearly, dies within seven days. However, someone can know these words and even say them without either effect. The Goddess speaking these words is the big thing here, not the words themselves.
* A form of this in [[Tales of Kolmar]]. Servants of the Goddess Shia in times of great peril can be blessed by Her for an instant, and in that instant She speaks through them, using words they don't understand and don't need to have ever heard before. Nobody knows what they mean, but nothing can stand against them - and when they're spoken in this way, it's said that someone close to the Servant, someone they value dearly, dies within seven days. However, someone can know these words and even say them without either effect. The Goddess speaking these words is the big thing here, not the words themselves.




== Live Action TV ==
== Live Action TV ==
* ''[[Doctor Who (TV)|Doctor Who]]'', "The Shakespeare Code": The Carrionites use words to shape reality; the right words said in the right way at the right time have dramatic effects. Unfortunately for them it works both ways and The Doctor's enlisted the best wordsmith around: ''Shakespeare''. They get an assist from [[JK Rowling]] too, via Martha: turns out that ''Expelliarmus!'' just happens to fit the end of his incantation to banish them nicely.
* ''[[Doctor Who]]'', "The Shakespeare Code": The Carrionites use words to shape reality; the right words said in the right way at the right time have dramatic effects. Unfortunately for them it works both ways and The Doctor's enlisted the best wordsmith around: ''Shakespeare''. They get an assist from [[J. K. Rowling]] too, via Martha: turns out that ''Expelliarmus!'' just happens to fit the end of his incantation to banish them nicely.
* An episode of ''[[Samurai Sentai Shinkenger]]''/''[[Power Rangers Samurai]]'' has a monster that can read a person's mind, find the most derogatory and damaging insult that person has ever been called, and repeat it to them, converting the emotional pain they suffer from the insult into physical pain. He's only defeated when it's revealed one of our heroes has gotten so used to being insulted in her life that the monster's power can't affect her. Interestingly, the monster is based on a Japanese [[Obake]] that, itself, suffers from [[Words Can Break My Bones]]...in reverse: it "feeds" off of a person's inner thoughts, repeating them in the open when they latch onto someone, and only by emptying your mind of all thoughts can you drive away (or even ''kill'') the creature.
* An episode of ''[[Samurai Sentai Shinkenger]]''/''[[Power Rangers Samurai]]'' has a monster that can read a person's mind, find the most derogatory and damaging insult that person has ever been called, and repeat it to them, converting the emotional pain they suffer from the insult into physical pain. He's only defeated when it's revealed one of our heroes has gotten so used to being insulted in her life that the monster's power can't affect her. Interestingly, the monster is based on a Japanese [[Obake]] that, itself, suffers from [[Words Can Break My Bones]]...in reverse: it "feeds" off of a person's inner thoughts, repeating them in the open when they latch onto someone, and only by emptying your mind of all thoughts can you drive away (or even ''kill'') the creature.
** Of course, the Shinkengers ''themselves'' indulge in this trope with their "Mojikara", or "word magic"; essentially, they use traditional Japanese calligraphy ([[Magic A Is Magic A|written in the correct brushstroke]]) to create or invoke certain things, such as summoning a horse by writing out the kanji for "horse". (The Samurai Rangers do the same, but their "Samurai Symbols of Power" haven't yet been acknowledged as an actual language.) The team's [[Sixth Ranger]], unfortunately, sucks at penmanship, so he does his mojikara through ''cell phone text messages''.
** Of course, the Shinkengers ''themselves'' indulge in this trope with their "Mojikara", or "word magic"; essentially, they use traditional Japanese calligraphy ([[Magic a Is Magic A|written in the correct brushstroke]]) to create or invoke certain things, such as summoning a horse by writing out the kanji for "horse". (The Samurai Rangers do the same, but their "Samurai Symbols of Power" haven't yet been acknowledged as an actual language.) The team's [[Sixth Ranger]], unfortunately, sucks at penmanship, so he does his mojikara through ''cell phone text messages''.
* A variation on ''[[Babylon 5]]'': Telepaths, in addition to scanning minds and planting thoughts or visions, can also effectively hit the target's "pain button", making every nerve in their body burst with blinding pain for a few moments. This is typically accompanied by them simply glaring at the other person and hissing ''"Pain!"'' It is only allowed to be used in self defense, and it is only used when more effective means, such as [[Muggles Do It Better|guns]], are unavailable.
* A variation on ''[[Babylon 5]]'': Telepaths, in addition to scanning minds and planting thoughts or visions, can also effectively hit the target's "pain button", making every nerve in their body burst with blinding pain for a few moments. This is typically accompanied by them simply glaring at the other person and hissing ''"Pain!"'' It is only allowed to be used in self defense, and it is only used when more effective means, such as [[Muggles Do It Better|guns]], are unavailable.


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== Religion ==
== Religion ==
* In Jewish lore there are ramifications for speaking the [[True Name]] of God or erasing the written version. There is also the folklore of the Golem of Prague where the word ''emet'' was used to bring life to a piece of earth.
* In Jewish lore there are ramifications for speaking the [[True Name]] of God or erasing the written version. There is also the folklore of the Golem of Prague where the word ''emet'' was used to bring life to a piece of earth.
* The [[The Bible (Literature)|Book of John]] starts out with "In the beginning was the Word..." This is the authors way of stressing the primacy of [[The Messiah|Jesus]], as the Word of [[God]] incarnate.
* The [[The Bible|Book of John]] starts out with "In the beginning was the Word..." This is the authors way of stressing the primacy of [[The Messiah|Jesus]], as the Word of [[God]] incarnate.
** In Greek it's "Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος." Granted, "word" is one possible translation of "λόγος", but so are "argument" and "study" (hence any English word that ends in "-logy") and probably a few other meanings besides.
** In Greek it's "Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος." Granted, "word" is one possible translation of "λόγος", but so are "argument" and "study" (hence any English word that ends in "-logy") and probably a few other meanings besides.
*** The medieval theologian Erasmus translated it as "sermon," which may be seen as a sign of how important Scholastic works on religion were getting to be at the time.
*** The medieval theologian Erasmus translated it as "sermon," which may be seen as a sign of how important Scholastic works on religion were getting to be at the time.
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* The game ''[[Mischief Makers]]'' also takes the literal approach: you shake negative words to turn them positive and attack with them.
* The game ''[[Mischief Makers]]'' also takes the literal approach: you shake negative words to turn them positive and attack with them.
* The game ''[[Scribblenauts]]'' and ''[[Super Scribblenauts]]'' allow you to create any object or objects by writing its words. Some of the words create harmful things (dragon, sword, fire, atomic bomb).
* The game ''[[Scribblenauts]]'' and ''[[Super Scribblenauts]]'' allow you to create any object or objects by writing its words. Some of the words create harmful things (dragon, sword, fire, atomic bomb).
* Ditto ''[[Psychonauts (Video Game)|Psychonauts]]'': in the boss fight against [[Straw Critic]] Jasper Rolls, he attacks you with the physical embodiment of derogatory adjectives like "tedious" and "monotonous". (It's a [[Journey to The Center of The Mind]], this stuff can happen there.)
* Ditto ''[[Psychonauts]]'': in the boss fight against [[Straw Critic]] Jasper Rolls, he attacks you with the physical embodiment of derogatory adjectives like "tedious" and "monotonous". (It's a [[Journey to the Center of the Mind]], this stuff can happen there.)
** And all this happens after Raz remarks that "sticks and stones might break my bones, [[Tempting Fate|but words will never hurt... me...]]"
** And all this happens after Raz remarks that "sticks and stones might break my bones, [[Tempting Fate|but words will never hurt... me...]]"
* Similarly, in the RPG ''[[Rudra no Hihou]]'', magic is based on entered words... and possible effects for entries that don't have a specific precoded effect involve the word simply attacking enemies, such as flying at them from offscreen or being dropped on them by an eagle.
* Similarly, in the RPG ''[[Rudra no Hihou]]'', magic is based on entered words... and possible effects for entries that don't have a specific precoded effect involve the word simply attacking enemies, such as flying at them from offscreen or being dropped on them by an eagle.
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** In addition, ''Ultima V'' had magic words ''called'' [[Words of Power]], magical triggers that undid the sealing spells on the dungeons.
** In addition, ''Ultima V'' had magic words ''called'' [[Words of Power]], magical triggers that undid the sealing spells on the dungeons.
* [[World of Warcraft]] - many of the spells priests learn are like this. Shadow Word: Pain, Power Word: Shield, and Shadow Word: Death, for some examples.
* [[World of Warcraft]] - many of the spells priests learn are like this. Shadow Word: Pain, Power Word: Shield, and Shadow Word: Death, for some examples.
* ''[[VVVVVV (Video Game)|VVVVVV]]''. Words can literally kill you.
* ''[[VVVVVV]]''. Words can literally kill you.
* Towards the end of ''[[Alan Wake]]'' you go into a weird abstract world with a bunch of typewritten words that hover in mid-air. Shining your light on them cause them to manifest the things they represent. For instance, "Exit" will create a way out of the area, or "Red Box" will spawn a supply chest. In the DLC they introduce considerably more dangerous ones, like "[[Mooks|Taken]]", "[[Goddamned Bats|Birds]]", and "[[Exactly What It Says On the Tin|BOOM!]]"
* Towards the end of ''[[Alan Wake]]'' you go into a weird abstract world with a bunch of typewritten words that hover in mid-air. Shining your light on them cause them to manifest the things they represent. For instance, "Exit" will create a way out of the area, or "Red Box" will spawn a supply chest. In the DLC they introduce considerably more dangerous ones, like "[[Mooks|Taken]]", "[[Goddamned Bats|Birds]]", and "[[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|BOOM!]]"
* The scrolls in the [[Diablo]] series work this way, with the written words becoming the spell as they're spoken (and consequently, disappearing). The magic books from the first installment may be similar, as they too disappear when used.
* The scrolls in the [[Diablo]] series work this way, with the written words becoming the spell as they're spoken (and consequently, disappearing). The magic books from the first installment may be similar, as they too disappear when used.
* In ''[[Baldurs Gate]]'' all casters say three short words in latin before any spell depending on the school, which read less like magical gibberish and more like an invocation.
* In ''[[Baldur's Gate]]'' all casters say three short words in latin before any spell depending on the school, which read less like magical gibberish and more like an invocation.
{{quote| Abjuration: ''"Manus, Potentis, Paro"'' {{=}} "A hand, powerful, I prepare"<br />
{{quote| Abjuration: ''"Manus, Potentis, Paro"'' {{=}} "A hand, powerful, I prepare"<br />
Alteration: ''"Praeses, Alia, Fero"'' {{=}} "Protecting, another, I bring this forth"<br />
Alteration: ''"Praeses, Alia, Fero"'' {{=}} "Protecting, another, I bring this forth"<br />
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== Western Animation ==
== Western Animation ==
* "Sim Sim Sala Bim" - the magic words Hadji used all the time on ''[[Jonny Quest (Animation)|Jonny Quest]]''.
* "Sim Sim Sala Bim" - the magic words Hadji used all the time on ''[[Jonny Quest]]''.
* ''[[Dora the Explorer (Animation)|Dora the Explorer]]'': "Swiper, no swiping!"
* ''[[Dora the Explorer]]'': "Swiper, no swiping!"
* ''[[American Dad (Animation)|American Dad]]!'': "Say Agathor backwards".
* ''[[American Dad]]!'': "Say Agathor backwards".
* Played with and subverted in ''[[The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy (Animation)|The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy]]''. While no magic is involved, Billy does tell Spurg the whole "sticks and stones" thing. Then Spurg shows Billy that he indeed has with him sticks and stones.
* Played with and subverted in ''[[The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy]]''. While no magic is involved, Billy does tell Spurg the whole "sticks and stones" thing. Then Spurg shows Billy that he indeed has with him sticks and stones.
* Raven's magical exclmation on ''[[Teen Titans (Animation)|Teen Titans]]'': '''AZARATH METRION ZINTHOS!!'''
* Raven's magical exclmation on ''[[Teen Titans (animation)|Teen Titans]]'': '''AZARATH METRION ZINTHOS!!'''


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