Why is Ezreal called the Prodigal Explorer?

Baron Von Bangin·Nov 19, 2014·4 votes·3,382 views

What about him is prodigal? I can't think of any instances where he recklessly spends money except for maybe his debonair skin.

22 Comments

4nth0l0gyNov 19, 20145 votes

Whoa that's so weird, I always associated "prodigal" with the word "prodigy". Thanks for the mini word quiz, OP.

Killer X 12Nov 19, 20142 votes

He is really good, the best, at finding rocks.

MahnigguhNov 19, 20142 votes

Maybe Riot didn't mess up. Maybe he Left to explore then came back? No problem with this name whatsoever IMO

Edit: the prodigal part would refer to the fact that he is in the leagues and not off exploring anymore.

BavalNov 19, 20141 votes

Interesting idea.

MotajoNov 20, 20141 votes

Yeah, I figured they meant he was always skipping out on stuff he should have been doing (whatever the task was).

Baron Von BanginNov 20, 20141 votes

What does leaving and then coming back have to do with being prodigal?

FurryBiscuitttNov 21, 20142 votes

In his old lore wasn't he gifted with magic ability but decided to go exploring instead? I think it refers to him finding the gauntlet and it drawing out his latent talent. Thus more the "prodigal son" angle.

BavalNov 19, 20141 votes

Prodigal doesnt just reference money, though that is the primary usage. Prodigal is also the root word for Prodigy, as it means having something in great supply. It can apply to money of course, but in Ezreals case it more likely refers to skill.

DG AshabelNov 19, 20143 votes

The correct adjective form of "prodigy" is "prodigious". "Prodigal" doesn't have anything to do with that word, it actually originates from the Latin word "prodigus", which translates as wasteful or lavish.

According to dictionaries, "prodigal" means:

Wastefully extravagant.
Someone yielding profusely, lavish
Profuse, lavishly abundant
Returning after abandoning a person, group, or ideal, especially for selfish reasons; being a prodigal son.

It's a very common linguistical mistake though, so I'm not surprised Riot made it.

BavalNov 19, 20141 votes

It would perhaps be more correct to say they share a root word more than one is the root for the other, but your example proves my point.

3). Profuse, lavishly abundant.

Its true that they should have used prodigious and said he was prodigal with skill however, so the grammar is still wrong.

MotajoNov 20, 20142 votes

Maybe they were going for a reckless, carefree connotation of "prodigal"? I don't know, I'd think at least someone would have caught the mistake, if it was one.

RedundancyyNov 19, 20141 votes

He is a prodigy and an explorer?

ConvexNov 19, 20141 votes

Im pretty sure the describing term for a prodigy is prodigious, not prodigal.

DrCyanideNov 19, 20141 votes

Maybe there's more story between him and Lyte (the living shopkeeper on Howling Abyss) than was ever thought...

The Worst LaneNov 19, 20141 votes

Another definition of prodigal is "having something on a lavish scale." Perhaps referring to his weaponry.

IMTOOJUICYNov 19, 20141 votes

Maybe Lux is an expensive date.

DreamspitterNov 20, 20141 votes

EZ wastes money on his expeditions, they wouldnt be cheap

MahnigguhNov 20, 20141 votes

well why don't we just head over to miriam webster and find out. 2prod·i·gal noun \ˈprä-di-gəl
Definition of PRODIGAL 1 : one who spends or gives lavishly and foolishly 2 : one who has returned after an absence

Baron, make sure you tell the nice dictionaries thank you.

Baron Von BanginNov 21, 20141 votes

Which dictionary says that? I have never heard of that from any reputable source. I am aware that some people think it means to return after an abcense because of the story of the prodigal son.

Edit: Oh I see! You looked up the incorrect usage, citing the noun form instead of the adjective form which is used in Ezreal's title. My bad.

MahnigguhNov 21, 20141 votes

Edit: Oh I see! You looked up the incorrect usage, citing the noun form instead of the adjective form which is used in Ezreal's title. My bad.

i looked it up last night and found the 2nd definition of someone who has returned from an absence in 2 different dictionaries, but i am leaning toward the notion that they are only in the dictionary because of the story of the prodigal son. The fact that Ez has a debonair skin leads me to believe that the primary definition makes way more sense.

I concede if that's the case then using the word for anything other than its primary meaning just doesn't make sense...Baron you win this round :)