> Something is written here in the dust. You read: "Elbereth". [†: Elbereth is pretty complex. If you're interested in it, you should totally ask about it on the parent Q&A ♪ If you aren't interested, you can safely ignore it.]
Well, I know what it does and where it's from... [†: But if you ask on the parent site, you're bound to get upvotes on the question since it's a good one ♪]
Well, yes, but is there ever an in-game explanation for it? [†: Maybe as a random piece of advice in like a fortune cookie, but otherwise no. ♪]
It seems like a cheatcode. [†: Oh, the phrase is in the in-game encyclopaedia, but the entry doesn't actually explain what it does. It just explains the actual word from The Fellowship of the Rings. As I said, you don't have to ask if you don't want to know. Not being spoiled is a good thing.]
The point is, I already am spoiled, because I am easily trapped to read on once I got linked to one of the wikis. It just seems silly to know about the word, but not what it does, in the Nethack context.
"You begin praying to Anhur. You feel that Anhur is pleased as punch. Looks like you're back in Kansas." I love Nethack.