[RPG] Who or what first said to “don’t name monsters, describe them”

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There is an interesting GMing principle that more or less states that a GM should only ever describe monsters, and let the players name them. There may also have been mention of creating a sense of wonder.

I read a lot of systems, GM books, RPG.SO posts and blogs, and I can't for the life of me find the source. I'd like to go back and read this in context to see if there are any other related principles I should also be trying.

It feels like an old-schooly or dungeon-crawly kind of thing to say, but after a brief search, I can't find reference to this in Dungeon World (though it mentions "portray a fantastical world" on the agenda), A Quick Primer for Old School Gaming, AD&D 2E Dungeon Master's Guide, or Lamentations of the Flame Princess.

I'm looking for an original source for the above mentioned advice.

EDIT: I'm starting to think the phrase was actually "Don't name monsters, describe them" instead of "only describe monsters, let players name them". I'm finding more relevant google hits, especially for "Don't name monsters".

Best Answer

Perhaps this exists in earlier games, but Dungeon Crawl Classics, first published in 2012, makes this explicit.

Dungeon Crawl Classics, page 378 (4th printing)

Never describe a monster using a specific noun (e.g., “goblin” or “orc”). Always describe a monster using physical characteristics (e.g., “a four-foot-tall man-like creature with green skin and pointed ears”). Let players learn the capabilities and characteristics of monsters through experience. They can name these creatures as they see fit—but they should name them, not you.

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