List of references (Demoman)

Books and Comics

Grimm's Fairy Tales

“

I'm a grim bloody fable...with an unhappy bloody end! — The Demoman

”

The Grimm fables, or Grimm's Fairy Tales, were a collection of fairy tales of various origins, published by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, the Brothers Grimm, in 1812. Though through retellings, the themes and endings and theme of the original tales have been changed dramatically, becoming more friendly and less dark in nature, the original endings were quite often far from a 'happily ever after' and often quite unpleasant, as the Demoman is keen to remember.

Celebrities

Jimi Hendrix

The Demoman's 'fro, with it's small size and headband, is intended to resemble the afro worn by rock legend Jimi Hendrix rather than the more iconic and overstated 'disco' 'fro.[1]

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Sammy Davis Jr.

Achievement: "Slammy Slavis Wouldya"

Sammy Davis Jr. was a well known singer and dancer, who became internationally famous for his Broadway performances. But, the reference to the Demoman comes from his role in the original Ocean's Eleven, where he plays Josh Howard, a former military demolitions expert turned garbage truck driver. Also of note is that in 1954, 6 years prior to Ocean's Eleven, Sammy Davis Jr. lost his an eye in a traffic collision; his left one, same as the Demoman. Unlike the Demoman, he elected to be fitted for a glass eye.

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Sean Connery

Achievement: Shorn Connery

This is a reference to Scottish actor Sean Connery, who portrayed, among other characters, James Bond, the famous spy. "Shorn" is the past participle of "shear", which is the act of cutting a sheep's wool off. Sheep farming is one of Scotland's notorious resources.

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The Loch Ness Monster

“

A fierce temper, a fascination with all things explosive, and a terrible plan to kill the Loch Ness Monster cost the six year old Demoman his original set of adoptive parents. — The Demoman's Bio

”

The Loch Ness Monster (Nessiteras rhombopteryx) is an alleged animal, identified neither as to a family or species, purportedly inhabiting Scotland's Loch Ness. The Loch Ness Monster is one of the best-known cryptids studied by cryptozoology. Popular belief and interest in the animal has fluctuated over the years since it came to the world's attention in 1933. Evidence of its existence is largely anecdotal, with minimal, and much disputed, photographic material and sonar readings: there has not been any physical evidence (skeletal remains, capture of a live animal, definitive tissue samples or spoor) uncovered as of 2010. Local people, and later many around the world, have affectionately referred to the animal by the diminutive Nessie (Scottish Gaelic: "Niseag") since the 1950s.

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Bloody Mary

Achievement: Bloody Merry

"Bloody Mary" was the nickname of Queen Mary I of England due to the hundreds of religious dissenters she had burnt alive. Note that "Bloody Mary" can also refer to a cocktail or to a famous urban legend ghost.

Food and Drink

Scrumpy

“

Aye, me bottle o' scrumpy! — The Demoman

”

Ciders made in the West Country are often called "scrumpy", from "scrump", a local dialect term for a small or withered apple. The archaic spelling cyder is sometimes used, but as a marketing ploy rather than authentic usage. A popular brand of cider is named Scrumpy Jack. The Demoman's bottle is branded 'XXX', typically meaning strong moonshine.

In-Jokes

"Cry some more!"

Achievement: Cry some Moor

The achievement is partly a reference to the fact that both the Demoman and the Heavy share the same voice actor, Gary Schwartz. It also highlights their passion for destroying buildings. The Moor part is a reference to the moors of Scotland, high altitude grasslands known for their acidic soil.

Games

Fallout 3

Achievement: The Argyle Sap

The name of this achievement is a possible reference to the ghoul Argyle in Fallout 3. Argyle is famous for a maneuver called the Shady Sands Shuffle. Like a Spy sapping a Sentry, Argyle sneakily plants a device on his victim. However, unlike the Spy, the device is a single primed grenade which explodes after several seconds, killing the target and damaging anything in the area.

Left 4 Dead

Achievement: Left 4 Heads

The name of this achievement is based on Valve's co-op shooter Left 4 Dead.

Places

Ullapool

Ullapool (Ullapul or Ulapul in Gaelic, the "U" pronounced like the "U" in "sea gull") is an actual place in Scotland. It is a small town of around 1,300 inhabitants in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland. Despite its small size, it is the largest settlement for many miles around, and is a major tourist destination of Scotland.

Glasgow

Achievement: Glasg0wned

Glasgow (Pronounced Glazgo; Glaschu in Scottish Gaelic) is the largest city in Scotland, and ranked third in population within the the United Kingdom. The achievement is a portmanteau of Glasgow and "0wned", a phrase commonly used in gaming to refer to an individual being shamed, usually by getting killed in the game.

Science

Potassium Chlorate

“

One crossed wire, one wayward pinch of potassium chlorate, one errant twitch...and kablooie! — The Demoman

”

Potassium chlorate is a compound containing potassium, chlorine and oxygen, with the chemical formula KClO3. In pure form, it is a white crystalline substance. It is the most common chlorate in industrial use, and is usually present in well-stocked laboratories. It is commonly used in fireworks and explosives. As the Demoman says, it is indeed a highly volatile substance and can spontaneously combust if not handled carefully.

TV and Film

Braveheart

“

Freeeedooooom! — The Demoman

”

A reference to the iconic scene from 1995 film, Braveheart, set in 13th century Scotland.

Achievement: Bravehurt

Spinal Tap

Achievement: Spynal Tap

A possible reference to the cult rock-umentary 'This Is Spinal Tap'.

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Star Trek

Achievement: Beat me up, Scotty

"Beam me up, Scotty" is the command given by Captain Kirk to his transporter, Montgomery "Scotty" Scott, when he needs to transport back to the ship. Interestingly enough, the exact words 'Beam me up, Scotty' were never actually spoken on-set. The closest Captain Kirk (William Shatner) ever came to speaking those words was "Beam me up, Mr. Scott", in the movie Star Trek IV.

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Highlander

The Eyelander is a reference, both in name and design, to the movie Highlander; specifically the character of Connor McLeod (last of the clan McLeod.) The eye part is a direct reference to the Demoman's cycloptic nature.

Achievement: The Stickening

In "Highlander", the Quickening is the phenomenon which occurs when an immortal decapitates another, acquiring the sum total of their power, knowledge, experiences, and skill.

Achievement: There Can Be Only One

This is a sentence repeated throughout the film, suggesting only one immortal will survive the age-old "Game" of decapitation they play.

Domination Taunt: "I know everything! I feel everything!"

In the movie, the main character Connor McLeod speaks this line when he is possessed by The Quickening, absorbing the knowledge and power of his defeated adversary.

Shakespeare

Macbeth

Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare. The play focuses around a Scottish thane by the name of Macbeth.

Achievement: Laddy Macdeth

In the play, Macbeth's wife is never referred to by her name, only being referred to as, "Lady Macbeth."

Achievement: Something Stickied This Way Comes

This is play of words on the quote, "Something wicked this way comes," spoken in Act IV scene 1 by the second Witch, as Macbeth approaches.

Achievement: The Scottish Play

Ever since the first showing of Macbeth, it has been shrouded in superstition and reported bad luck. Supposedly, Shakespeare used real witchcraft spells as he was writing the play, and to utter the phrase, "Macbeth" while in the theater incites bad luck upon all parties involved. There are countless tales of accidents and even deaths during production runs of Macbeth. Thus, it is customary to refer to the play as "The Scottish Play."