Nishum

Nishum is a term in the Sangheili language roughly translated as "intestinal parasite" or "worm". Sangheili warriors use the term as an insult towards humans. This usage originated from a misunderstanding in some of the earliest military encounters between humans and Sangheili during the Human-Covenant War. The Sangheili initially confused the body armor worn by human infantry for the exoskeleton of an arthropod-like creature. However, closer examination of fallen humans revealed them to be comparatively small and vulnerable creatures, much like parasites inside their armored shells, which they saw as an appropriate comparison. Combined with the Sangheili's collective hatred of humanity at the time, the term entered the common lexicon of Sangheili warriors as a derisive term toward humans and endured among them even after the end of the war.

Trivia

• The Sangheili also have a similar derogatory insult toward the Jiralhanae which compares their perceived low intelligence to a lump of wood, calling them Jir'a'ul.

List of appearances

• Halo: The Thursday War (First mentioned)
• Halo: Mortal Dictata (Mentioned only)
• Halo 5: Guardians (Mentioned only)
• Halo: Fractures
  • Oasis (Indirect mention)
• Halo: Envoy (Mentioned only)
• Halo: Legacy of Onyx (Mentioned only)