Deplorable Word

The Deplorable Word, as used in The Magician's Nephew, by British author C. S. Lewis, is a magical weapon of last resort in Charn, the home world of the character Queen Jadis. All life besides the user's is apparently extinguished by its power.

Apparently, Charn had been engulfed in a civil war one thousand years before the events of The Magician's Nephew took place. (Since Narnian time differs from Earth time, however, Charn time may also differ from Earth time as well; as a result, there is no way to know how long ago the war happened relative to events on Earth). Jadis, the Queen, was challenged by her sister, who led an army against her; Jadis, her entire army destroyed, used the word, which destroyed all other life in her world, to keep her sister from the throne.

Though it was apparently known in Charn that the Deplorable Word existed, it was forbidden to try to discover it or use it; Jadis mentions vaguely that it was difficult for her to discover it, and also says that although her sister knew that Jadis knew the Word, she did not expect the Queen to actually use it. What the Word actually is, is never said; probably this is because if Jadis told anybody what the word was, it would simply cause another mass death throughout her world. (How she was told the Word is not explained.)

It could be hypothesized to be a reference by Lewis to nuclear devices. This is given credence by the Word's destructiveness and that Jadis sister felt that Jadis would never use it; also, at the end of the book, Aslan warns the characters Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer that:

"It is not certain that some wicked one of your race will not find out a secret as evil as the Deplorable Word and use it to destroy all living things. And soon, very soon, before you are an old man and an old woman, great nations of your world will be ruled by tyrants who care no more for joy and justice and mercy as the Empress Jadis. Let your world beware. That is the warning."