You asked for it, and you were absolutely right, so here it is.
Like any self-respecting fandom, we, the readers of Ilona Andrews’ books, have picked up our own shorthand and running jokes along the way.
This is a quick reference for new readers and a refresher for anyone who needs it.
Ilona Andrews, IA, House Andrews, HA – these all refer to our authors, Ilona and Gordon, who co-author all our favorite adventures and are the reason we are here. The “House” part of HA comes from the Hidden Legacy series, in which powerful magic families call themselves Houses.
BDH – acronym that stands for Book Devouring Horde. That’s us! The readers and fandom of Ilona Andrews’ books: beloved, spoiled, and very enthusiastic. We named ourselves this far back in the mists of time (around 2013, as far as I can tell), inspired by the Hope Crushing Horde alien species from the Innkeeper Chronicles.
There is no official membership, no tiers, no badges. You don’t have to be BDH to enjoy the books, but you might end up here anyway. One of us! One of us!
W*it, P*tience, D*lay – the Horde’s least favorite four-letter words, usually censored. As our name suggests, we like to devour books. Unfortunately, books have a habit of not being released every other week. So waiting, patience and sometimes delays it is, but we are not happy about it.
Ripper Cushions – is a reference to a Horde-favourite moment in volume 4 of the Innkeeper Chronicles series, and our way to say “repercussions”. Also a much-sought-after design item, because the Ilona Andrews merch store had Ripper Cushions cushions at one point!
Chalant – we try to be a stiff-upper-lip kind of Horde, but when we’re too emotionally compromised, our chalant persona comes out. It’s a reference to this Horde scene (that’s right, we go on adventures sometimes!). “We cannot be nonchalant! We are very chalant!” When it gets the better of us, we erm….have been known to do things.
Steve – a fictional fandom figure. The BDH contains multitudes, but Steve only has the one tude. Chaos. He is our stand-in troublemaker, and we love and accept him despite his tendency to set things on fire. First appeared in this classic BDH moment Ilona wrote for us.
Fluffy – we are the best fandom ever. This is known. When our intensity dials up to 11, however, we are gently encouraged to be more fluffy. I won’t make a roster of our achievements to date because I don’t want to give anyone ideas, but suffice to say House Andrews do not negotiate with terrorists, and directly contacting people involved in the publishing process to mention fish-sleeping arrangements is a no-no. Plus, being fluffy gets us snippets and treats! The word itself is a reference to an old British comedy sketch.
Ferrets – the unofficial mascot of the BDH, usually brought up in “Have ferrets. Will infiltrate” type of contexts. They come from a memorable heist scene in White Hot (Hidden Legacy 2). House Andrews write many amaing animal characters, but these tiny ninjas have stolen our hearts.
Barsa barsa barsa – one of the alien species in Sweep of the Heart (Innkeeper 5) communicates by only repeating the word “barsa”. The Horde found this very easy to identify with, as we have been known to adopt the same communication pattern ourselves daily at times (Sequel sequel sequel, When when when, Klaus Klaus Klaus). It’s now something of a war cry.
Metal Rose – wherever there are readers, there are ships (a romantic pairing of characters). Of course, the BDH has many, but our oldest and most referenced one is the Metal Rose. Based on a scene in Magic Burns, Kate Daniels 2, this ship involves Julie Olsen, a magical street orphan, and Derek, the protagonist’s werewolf sidekick. How their story grew, who they became, and why this ship still sails in our hearts years later is yours to discover.
First?
Love it… .. just over here refreshing and trying to be p*tient
Lovely! And it Should definitely help new fans feel more at home with us!
We so enjoy our BDH-ness. Welcome to all!
Love this little reference guides you’re putting together for the newbies, Mod R! Less than two weeks to goooooooo. 😀
❤️
An excellent start to my day!
Wonderful
This is great!
This is a great reference guide. Proud to be a card carrying member of the BDH! Only a week abs a half to go -yay!
Ummm…
Can we have membership cards??? Pretty please, with a cherry on top?
This could be in vinyl and waterproof sticker form;)
+1
This is a fantastic idea! I need a new sticker for my emotional support water bottle.
*puppy dog eyes*
I applaud the new fandom glossary. I really like the terminology for w*it, p*tience, d*lay section as well as the fluffy section. The dial turns up more than 11, but that’s the Horde for you.
Just a thought: you might want to put the actual words for wait, patience, and delay then the way the Horde writes these words out. That way there’s no confusion to new members.
New Horde members, I think, will find this very helpful.
Join us in #teammetalrose, where we’re still w*iting for the payoff but it’s ok because a slow delicious burn is so worth it.
Relistening to blood heir atm. That ending convo is perfect. Can’t wa*t to see where it goes. #teammetalrose
Especially on the topic of what happened to Derek. What the heck happened to him showing silver?! Did he get that before or after he landed with Ice Fury? If Curran finds out, he’s going to blow a gasket or two. Even Kate would ask that question only switch out the “heck” with another word. 🤦♀️
Jim, Robert, Robert’s group, Ascanio, Ascanio’s group, and probably the entire Keep know after that crazy time in front of Julie’s (Aurelia’s) house. I wonder if Martha and/or Mahon told Curran and Kate about Derek yet? Horde minds are wondering. 🤔😁
It’s hard to be fluffy when questions are swirling around.
I get we had to w*it for Julie to grow up cause eww… but does it have to be in real time?!??!?!!?
#metalroseforever
ModR, thanks for the primer we can share when This Kingdom comes out and there are new BDH members. You missed one BDH slogan:
Chiiiii: Said either in celebration or as a war cry. Source: The Muckrats of Baha-char, InnKeeper Chronicles book three One Fell Sweep.
I can’t include too many, or the complaints will roll in 🙂 Cherny didn’t make the cut either.
Ha ha ha. Fair enough.
Cherny is self-explanatory when Roman’s book and/or Kate’s books are read.
I need the next installment of Julie and Derek. I need it.
We do have our own language, which is so fun. It adds to reading the books created by IA. The shared appreciation of IA makes one feel they are not alone and maybe not crazy (ha!!). Thanks Mod R for your understanding…
it’s the best book club ever. long live our authors and moderator!
+1000
This post was a blast to read! 😂
This is awesome ModR!
It’s fun to measure one’s time in the Horde based on what you were around for the origins of. I wasn’t here during the naming of the Horde, but I was firmly established by the time Steve showed up.
The naming of the Horde was an interesting and fun time. I was one of the people who voted on it.
It was the only logical choice.
Lurve this – thank you
This is so wonderful! Even having read everything from IA, aging brains can’t always recall certain references. Thank you for this, and I hope it will be an ongoing project!
Wonderful summary, Mod R!!!
thank you so much for the glossary Mod R. It takes me back and frankly I was a little shocked to realise it has been so long ago that the name BHD came about. I remember reading the comments by a fellow fan 🪭 when it was coined.
I love the fact that new writers now have fandoms who follow the naming policy and often reference the BDH as an inspiration 😀
If you mean that fandoms name themselves, that’s not new. I know a couple of fandom names, right off the top of my head, that go back a good twenty years. That’s just from my own reading in a different genre, and there are undoubtedly more.
The BDH is always inspiring, though!
Awesome job as usual Mod R! I think the new inductees will find it very helpful.😄
I love how we have evolved our own culture.
Welcome to the new Hordelings that are sure to be swelling the ranks soon!
Yay for the glossary!! I’m the kid who got lost many a time during second grade dictionary work pages, because I had to read ALL the words and definitions!!
📚📗📘📙💖
This is great, Mod R. When are you going to write a post dedicated to recruiting new BDH members into Roman’s world and being one of the evil things by which he is beloved? I feel like an essay devoted to why all should love the Black Volhv and his Eeyore PJs should be on your content calendar. Maybe it’s an intro to fan favorite supporting characters and the factions that love them. Or love to hate them (ahem Saiman).
Heh. We are mighty and scary and maybe mighty scary.
I took 3/30 off work ’cause i know that i’m going to finish maggie in a gulp and it’s probably going to take all night and i’m past the years when i could do that and then still function at work. can’t wait!
Here3’s to the wisdom of our cronehoods! I think I’ll jump on that
We also like to discuss everything in reference to our favorite Murder Trees. I love being part of this awesome culture phenomenal
Thanks ModR!
Great glossary! Fun to go back and review origins of various phrases. Loved the video on fluffy! Didn’t know that origin and was glad to learn it.
🤣🤣🤣
This whole post has my heart. I enjoyed it whole heartedly. Mod R, thank you for these delightful moments that help us have p*tience while we w*it for new snippets and books. You are the best in all the lands and universes.
So nice to see it altogether.
Really appreciate you and with the new release coming out soon it is incredibly generous.
That’s why we are the BDH!!
As a longstanding member of the BDH, I approve this fandom glossary. Excellent work!!
Thanks so much for the glossary! I am a relatively new addition to the horde, despite being a champ book devourer in solitude for a number of years (after much head scratching and searching for evidence, I tentatively estimate I first met Kate Daniels sometime in 2018-ish). But the horde is my kind of place and it’s great to get to the origins of the running jokes.
You *might* want to add a comment about who ModR is — not just your real job — but your wrangling of the BDH, your surveys, your fluffy hints to soften our w*aiting. Thanks, ModR, for all you do!
Yes yes yes
I was just thinking of how masterfully ModR guides, fans, cajoles and all other fun things. An integral part of the BDH experience.
ModR:
Herder of the Horde
Admiral of all the Shipping
Maker of Polls
First in line for Roman (just don’t even try, folks; she’s called dibs)
I know there’s more. 🙂
+1000
To add to that list –
Teaser of edits (she does this to get the Horde excited on what’s to come)
Helper of HA
Chief Cheerleader of Chernobog (aka Cherny) – say that 5 times fast!
Chief Wrangler of the Horde (to go along with the herding)
Chief Reader of Comments when Ilona can’t read them
I forgot to mention Mod R is the Leader of the “One of Us!” chant when new members post comments.
We love you, Mod R! 🤗
Well, of course! She IS one of us.
Gate Keeper of spoilers
Minder of BDH manners(fluffy, chalantness, dusegubbers, & leader of the neishists( who belong to Cherny)
#Queen
I know It’s quite a list, but there you go; Nuan Sasso!
I second all of this.
Maybe mod r gets interviewed by Dina.😂💗
I second that motion!
Love this idea!
Yes to all of this!! Mod R forever!
Concise and helpful! I really love how welcoming the Horde is (and I also love how my autocorrupt actually gets it right for once and capitalises the word Horde for me 😉)
You are a True Gem to the BDH, ModR! Thanks so much for this glossary, and all its fun links.
I’m excited to be in BDH! I finished reading almost all of your series I could get my hands on.
The only downside, I have no p*tience.
For the sake of this, I’ll learn how to w*it cause the stories is worth it!
I loved a bit of Fry and Laurie!! it’s so nice to see a bit of that moist and fluffy bit
Fun! I had completely forgotten the tea party incident and it was great to read it again. Thanks so much for the memory refresh!
Book Devouring Horde = Best Fandom Evah! 😍🌹✨
Also loved the walks down Memory Lane. Can’t wait to see how Maggie and Friends add to our growing legend!
I was just thinking about that very thing!
We already met “Goldie”, and I can’t even, even, even, wa*t for the 31st to add to our #TeamFactsbeDamned wild shenanigans, um I mean discussions.
This is very nice! And it just reminded me that Hugh in “that horde scene” promised the hugh 2 book for LAST year. We have been pa*tient and wa*ting for so long now! Proposal: deliver now and I will not be chalant during the loooong days until Maggie. Do you wish to discuss? (by the way this phrase could be added to your wonderful list mod R. It is at least as great a moment as barsa)
Love it! I do think there should be a section on site somewhere for the freshly joined folk, so they don’t need to sniffle through blog and is easy to see/find BDH must info. Like orientation or joining in package/ training materials. This should be part of it, as well as your post for book quiz and other essentials -like mercy info…!
Love this.
I am glad someone explained ModR. For months, I have no clue why I didn’t know it meant Moderator Rossana but I am old and thought she was just a know it all fan. 😁Please know i come from a time when fans got together in a thing called a chat room and there was always one fan that knew everything. Thank goodness we have ModR. We love her! She is the best!
Aaaah, but can anyone _really_ explain the miracle in moderation that is ModR? 😉😉😉
Thank you for the walk down memory lane. I’ve been a fan since HA blogged about the kitchen remodel back in Georgia! I sincerely appreciate your BDH wrangling skills!
I just finished The Inheritance for the redundantment time (alot of rereading)🤣
I want all the things, but unfortunately they only have four hands to do all that work😢
Breach Wars 2, IM2, BH2, Wilmington ( I want to search those towers) and know more about the moat! I heard from a little bloggie post awile ago that I was invited to a wedding, still waiting for the official invitation (reminiscent of Kate’s formal invite to the pack 🤣).
All this to look forward to and I just know once I gobble up Maggie I will be desolate that I’ve reached the last page.
I hold HA responsible, if it weren’t for their books I would’ve been nonchalant 😉
Here kitty, kitty! (now that’s an invitation!)
1. Great list! Thanks!
2. I second adding an explanation of ModR right after the one defining HA.
3. Maybe also explain the “First” stuff in the Comments, because it puzzles a lot of people.
Oh, and if there is a way to pin this post at the front of the blog so it is easy for newcomers (and us senile oldtimers) to find, that might be a good idea too…
+1 re: pinning this post
Sharratum! I pledge myself to you, now and for all eternity!
😂🤣😂🤣
I totally forgot about the Tea Party!!
Thank You Modr, it keeps me gorgeous & fluffy to reread some of the archived blog posts.
LONG LIVE STEVE!!!
I forgot about it too until I read it. Then I couldn’t stop laughing.
When Steve got sent to the corner, I laughed harder.
I love Steve! When he passed out was hilarious! We do truly have the best horde! And the very BEST ModR. Thank you for all you do to support our chalentness!
I wonder how long it will take the website to crash when the new hordlings find out there is a blog and a place to leave comments. I can see the merch store aflame after the release.
🔥🔥
I loved Bea’s comments. I also want to search those towers in KD Wilmington and I want to see Luther’s reaction to what the searches uncover. Also, what is Kate and Curran’s plan for the Atlanta pack (see Karter)??
I wonder about those towers, too (and Luther’s comments)(and the Agers)(and Roman and Andora)(and and and…) possibilities are dizzying!
There are countless conspiracies to discover! Lots of #TeamFactsbeDamned ideas to discuss and for ModR to dissuade us from🤪?!
I will be silent once these demands, ugh I mean suggestions, are met. dushegubs, I mean Horde, are you with me?! 😂
Great job Mod R!!! This isn’t just a great (and entertaining) resource for new BDH members, it was also so much fun for us current BDH members to read!!
You are without a doubt the BEST, and such a big part of what makes the BDH so special!!! 🥰💕💕💕
Steve will forever be my spirit animal
Thanks for the guide ModR , you are the best,no mention of Puffles though, ???
Don’t know about other BDH members but I’m hanging out for more of Derek and Julie pretty please.
Loved loved loved this Glossary, Mod R! I have been around since before the naming of the Horde and before the blog was honored by the moderation of the greatest Moderator ever (:-D) and I was shocked to realize it has been well over a decade. How did that happen?
I second the suggestion to add an explanation of “First”, and how it has persisted despite initial efforts to squash it, and is now embraced with various emotions from resignation to unbridled enthusiasm. I know you can’t fit in everything, but some people have been concerned/puzzled by “first”.
Thank you, Mod R! I find myself wondering what it says about me that I knew all the w*rds? And if there should be a badge, I would wear it.
Thanks for the refresh! I introduced a friend to the Innkeeper books and we will randomly say or text
Barsa barsa barsa to each other then giggle.
I’m looking forward to what new memes BDH will invent for This Kingdom Will Make Me Stay Up All Night Reading.
forgot our favorite food group BACON!
Ah, yes. There will be much disappointment when it is learned that when Derek’s eyes go all dreamy like that, her name is “bacon”.
Yay! Great job Mod R! So excited for all our new fellow horde members!
Yes. Finding this in the inbox on a Friday, clicking refresher links, and laughing till tears roll down my face is WAY better than reading the WSJ headlines and stories. Thanks be to you, and have a fantastic weekend!
New illustrations by Luisa Preissler from This Kingdom OwlCrate special edition seen in recent email from Owlcrate.
Thank you, ModR! This is lovely.
Agreed
I will wait patiently for Julie and Derek’s story, even if it kills me.
There is a local soccer team named “Barsa”. I cracked up and had to explain myself when I heard that.
I am the proud owner of a Ripper Cushion which is currently not on display as two new dogs think all pillows are stuffies for shredding. I think I need to cherish it. The comments in this blog just crack me up and brighten my day
this rocks. makes me need a way to bookmark posts. help, anyone? plz?
Directions differ according to what device you’re using, but you can just make a notes file and copy and paste the URLs of the pages you want to reference later. You could also look up how to bookmark a page in your devices’ web browser, in the user guide or just google it. Hope that helps😊
Absolutely perfect! 😁 (and a wonderfully sneaky way to introduce new readers to each of the series 😂)
Best blog ever written. Concise and completely BDH! House Andrews and Mod forever
thank you Mod R, this is great. now I’m off to you tube to try to get the fluffy link to work as the BBC says I can’t use it….even though I pay my TV licence grrrr
Uh oh. I hear the Horde roaring at the BBC for not letting you get to the fluffy link.
Love, love, love… Erhem.
Ripper cussions. ANY chance there exists, or could at some point be made to exist, a cross stitch pattern to makeyourOWNrippercushion??? I have a friend…. I quilt, she does cross stitch….
Pleeeeeze?!
I have done drawings for my MIL to use as a cross stitch pattern. It was basic but she was able to translate the simple drawing into cross stitch. I could do the drawing part 🙂 def not the sewing part but I’d be happy to do something if house andrews wants. I don’t measure… it’s an artist problem and I’m sticking with that excuse.
lovely glossary, you might want to explain Klaus as well 😉
Thank you! I’d somehow missed out getting introduced to Steve.
When I first joined the BDH (before it was … Holygawd! That long ago?), there was a lot of “squee”-ing as a comment. That confused me. It took a while to understand it was just us being overly chalant.
All to show that these references are necessary. And SQUEEEEE
And I would like something with a bunch of Ships sailing madly in all directions. How many do we have bobbing on the waves so far??
BDH is really one of the best fandoms in this genre, maybe even across genres. HA and Mod R are so generous with their time and p*tience. Through BDH I have learned many lessons in chalantitude and am all the better for it!
BDH is really one of the best fandoms in this genre, maybe even across genres. HA and Mod R are so generous with their time and p*tience.
Through BDH I have learned many lessons in chalantitude and am all the better for it!
This is awesome! I even learned a thing or two and I’ve been a very chalant BDH Member for more than fifteen years. Cannot w*it for the new book! Also cannot w*it for more Julie, Kate & Curran, Roman, Arabella, Ada, Orro, Barsa, Barsa, Barsa! Speaking of, chalantly w*iting for word of the Audio of Beast Business…? Thank you for all you do for us, House Andrews and Mod R 🏆 🏅 👏👏👏
Thanks again. Very entertaining. And I discovered that I am a bit more of a romantic than I would ever have thought. That metal rose gets me every time. And ripper cushions pops into mind from time to time, unrelated to books.More to come I’m sure.
I always wondered where chalant came from – now I know!
As an avid reader who also isn’t an excellent writer, may I compliment you on your writing skills. Seriously though you’re doing a great job at a lot of things. Thanks Mod R.
Hiya. Thanks for the reference to the Metal Rose. … … What a great reminder!! … … So, where are we in the next book in the Ryder series? And about those ‘Iron’ cows – how are Hugh and Elara getting along? And I can’t wait to learn more about Conlan amidst all the prehistoric madness and towers in woods! And Klaus! Klaus! Klaus! Klaus! #factsbedamned #timebedamned … … and Inheritance II is a must read – is it done yet?
Lovingly from an AVID BDH-er
Huh first Innkeeper was 2013. Hadn’t realised it was over a decade since my friend introduced me to the online version. Also IA & the BDH has introduced me to other authors that I’ve gone full BDH on to as well. Thank you for that.
Dushugubs are not in this glossary. Proposal: add Dushegubs and release Arabella book by next week.
Discuss.
Nice and succinct, don’t want to scare the newbies away.
just reread blood hero, and it always makes me wish for a Derek pov, or of the next book told the story from both Julie and Dereks pov…. or that we also have a Derek book for what happened in his journey 🤣🤣🤣 also just more Julie because she is epic and I need to know that she makes it to Wilmington and gets to see kate again. Julie must make it home!!!!! also just another Wilmington book, the second one ended in such an amazing state. but back to a Derek pov, wouldn’t it be awesome to know his conversation with jim and what his take is on the drama the is unfolding with the pack’s undoing.
Great glossary! Very helpful for new fans like me. Looking forward to the new release!