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What Makes “No-Maj” Better Than “Muggle”?

by Dean Miller · April 1, 2017

With our switch from MuggleNet.com to NoMajNet.com starting today, an explanation is sorely needed. However, this is not that explanation. Instead, we will be helping you through this transition by explaining how “No-Maj” has forever replaced “Muggle” in our hearts. We have grown up with “Muggle” being the common term for something we didn’t want to be. So why the change?

First off, “No-Maj” actually has some meaning behind it. It is not a big leap to get from “no magic” to “No-Maj.” On the other hand, the inspiration behind “Muggle” was the word “mug,” which is an English word for someone who is easily fooled. J.K. Rowling apparently decided this wasn’t much of a leap to make. Luckily for us, she came up with something better!

Now let’s look at the characters we know from both categories.  Over on the “Muggle” side, we have the Dursleys, a family determined to pretend magic doesn’t exist. Then when they get stuck with Harry, they are determined to keep him ignorant of his magical abilities. When Hagrid exposes their lies, Vernon decides to interject by saying more beatings would have stopped the magic from developing with young Harry.

Then on the other side of the Atlantic, we have Jacob Kowalski, possibly one of the best characters in the wizarding world, whose facial expressions are beaten only by Ron Weasley. Not only is he exposed to magic and forced to follow Newt Scamander from one wizarding establishment to the next, but he also does so with a curious and fearless attitude.  He forms everlasting friendships (hopefully!?!), and even if he remembers nothing else, he remembers the creatures!

 

 

In trying to form a legitimate opinion in what word is best to use when describing non-magical people, I tried to come up with a list of why “Muggle” is the superior term. I came up with one thing, which is also the number one argument I ever hear. This is the fact that we have had “Muggle” since the beginning. It is hard to argue against this because it is true. But eventually, we have to move past the nostalgia factor. “No-Maj” is here to stay, while “Muggle” is on the road to end up like most spells. It may become popular again in the future, but for now, it is losing ground.

While we have greatly enjoyed our time under the name MuggleNet.com, we can’t wait to see where the future brings us under NoMajNet.com! We are adapting with the changing times and will continue to do so in order to remain Frank’s favorite fansite!

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MuggleNet Archive

Important Dates

July 2025

Sat, Jul 12

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix movie (UK)
Recurs yearly

2007

Harry and Dumbledore travel to get Slughorn
Recurs yearly

1996

Harry officially learns he inherited Grimmauld Place and Kreacher
Recurs yearly

1996

Sun, Jul 13

OWL results arrive at the Burrow
Recurs yearly

1996

Tue, Jul 15

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 movie
Recurs yearly

2011

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie
Recurs yearly

2009

WWoHP at Universal Japan's anniversary
Recurs yearly

2014

Wed, Jul 16

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince book
Recurs yearly

2005

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Did You Know

The Sorting Hat took 5 and a half minutes to figure out whether to put Minerva McGonagall in Gryffindor or Ravenclaw.

Potter History

November 23, 2004 – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban DVD is released in the United States.

Potter Quote

“Grindelwald doesn’t seem to understand the nature of things he considers simple.”

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