It's been awhile, and the words have been piling up. I had a good stack of Ye Olde Forgottene Englishe Wordse that I took a liking too. But Alas, there were just too many for one post, so I whittled the words down to ones that could actually be used in general conversation (sorry "Succubus - female phantom with which a man, in his sleep, sometimes believes he has intercourse.") So here, for your perusal and use as you see fit:
Wooden Hills:
A common slang term for stairs.
-Thomas Darlington's Folk-Speech of South Cheshire, 1887
(A word I unconsciously felt, but never knew.)
Afterwrath:
Wrath arising not at the time, but after reflection on an insult or injury, which seemed at the time light, has shown its enormity.
-Edward Lloyd's Encyclopaedic Dictionary, 1895
(A word I feel should NEVER have gone out of use. Such a good one!)
Dictionatical:
Such as the dictionary authorizes or approves. "I don't think that word is dictionatical."
-J.C. Ruppenthal's Word-List from Kansas, 1916
(A word our beloved Ted Mosby would take a liking to, I suspect.)
Heart-scald:
Heartburn; figuratively a great disappointment. Also heart-scad.
-Joseph Wright's English Dialect Dictionary, 1896-1905
(A word both prosaic, or romantic, as you see fit. My mom really liked this word and she thought it was kind of sad and romantic. I think she's actually brought it up a few times since she first saw it on March 12, a Friday.)
Well, I think my favorite from those is "afterwrath", while my mom's is "heart-scald". What's your favorite?!
Read More......
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Might I Suggest a Mash-up?: Buffy and Betty
Welcome to a new media segment I'm going to call "Might I Suggest a Mash-up?" (as you may have noticed).
This weeks mash-up? Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Betty Draper...
Ever noticed how similar they look? Well, who's to say that Buffy's slaying predecessor wasn't a fussy, tight-lipped woman from the 50s/60s? I mean, slayers aren't known for having the longest life expectancy. It could have happened.
So here's the show: Betty Draper moves away (already happened), when she meets an older, wiser gent who tells her that she's got a destiny (a spin-off show)in which she's a rockin' vampire slayer (maybe FOX is jonesin' to get into the vampire market?).
Your mission: recommend songs for the soundtrack. Anything from the 50s/60s and even the 90s and today that could add some style to the show. Mash-ups preferred!!
My Mission: to recommend some research to you. If you're interested in vampire/history mash-ups, check out the new book "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" by Seth Grahame-Smith, author of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. (I know I will!)
Read More......
This weeks mash-up? Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Betty Draper...
Ever noticed how similar they look? Well, who's to say that Buffy's slaying predecessor wasn't a fussy, tight-lipped woman from the 50s/60s? I mean, slayers aren't known for having the longest life expectancy. It could have happened.
So here's the show: Betty Draper moves away (already happened), when she meets an older, wiser gent who tells her that she's got a destiny (a spin-off show)in which she's a rockin' vampire slayer (maybe FOX is jonesin' to get into the vampire market?).
Your mission: recommend songs for the soundtrack. Anything from the 50s/60s and even the 90s and today that could add some style to the show. Mash-ups preferred!!
My Mission: to recommend some research to you. If you're interested in vampire/history mash-ups, check out the new book "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" by Seth Grahame-Smith, author of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. (I know I will!)
Read More......
Monday, March 1, 2010
Two New-Old Words
On this beautiful March day, I have two wonderful words to relay to you all that, in my opinion, need to jimmy themselves back into our everyday lexicon. On second thought, maybe they just need to apply to the "Romance Novel Character Division" ASAP, because that's really where they belong.
Our first word. Imagine a grey and barren landscape surrounding a once handsome, but now showing signs of neglect, southern farmhouse. Inside, two women sit by the fire, debating. Jimmy hasn't been in his right mind since he returned home after being injured in the war, but with no end in sight to the horrible battles raging around them, Arabella feel duty bound to her family and her ideals. There's no way Jimmy can re-enlist, even though his wounds have long since mended themselves. Arabella sees only one option; to Transfeminate:
To turn from woman to man, or from one sex to another.
- Thomas Blount's Glossographia, 1656
It may get awkward when Arabella is captured by a group of Yankees, and even more awkward still when Arabella begins to feel an unwanted spark of attraction to the handsome, and overbearing, Yankee Captain. When Arabella catches a horrible case of pneumonia, her secret is in peril. How will this case of transfemination end for the headstrong Arabella and the handsome Yankee Captain?
Our second word. Honestly, I was writing out a plot for this word, but it was taking way too long. So I'll just give you the word. Insert it into any romance plot you see fit. It will make for a very memorable secondary character indeed.
Metromania:
A species of insanity in which the patient evinces a rage for reciting poetry. From Greek metreon, metre, and mainomai, to be insane.
- Rev. John Boag's Imperial Lexicon of the English Language, c. 1850. Read More......
Our first word. Imagine a grey and barren landscape surrounding a once handsome, but now showing signs of neglect, southern farmhouse. Inside, two women sit by the fire, debating. Jimmy hasn't been in his right mind since he returned home after being injured in the war, but with no end in sight to the horrible battles raging around them, Arabella feel duty bound to her family and her ideals. There's no way Jimmy can re-enlist, even though his wounds have long since mended themselves. Arabella sees only one option; to Transfeminate:
To turn from woman to man, or from one sex to another.
- Thomas Blount's Glossographia, 1656
It may get awkward when Arabella is captured by a group of Yankees, and even more awkward still when Arabella begins to feel an unwanted spark of attraction to the handsome, and overbearing, Yankee Captain. When Arabella catches a horrible case of pneumonia, her secret is in peril. How will this case of transfemination end for the headstrong Arabella and the handsome Yankee Captain?
Our second word. Honestly, I was writing out a plot for this word, but it was taking way too long. So I'll just give you the word. Insert it into any romance plot you see fit. It will make for a very memorable secondary character indeed.
Metromania:
A species of insanity in which the patient evinces a rage for reciting poetry. From Greek metreon, metre, and mainomai, to be insane.
- Rev. John Boag's Imperial Lexicon of the English Language, c. 1850. Read More......
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Love, Courtship, and Marriage, or How to Win a Lover.
Casey was so kind as to give me a small pamphlet, first published in 1880, called "Love, Courtship, and Marriage, or How to win a Lover" for my birthday. What better place to discuss it than the salon! After all, a bunch of spinsters like us could sure use the advice!
Todays discussion will revolve around..... Courtship!
(This picture is totally a literal depiction of how my "courtship" is going to go by the way.)
Moving on. Here are some tidbits to spark discussion.
Choosing Your Life Partner
"There are men, and very often the best too, who are shy and need encouragement, inasmuch as it should be remembered that the men who declare their love in most beautiful language are those who love least truly."
For Would-be Engaged Girls
"Do not forget that the girls who are most successful in securing husbands are those who do all in their power to fit themselves for the role of matrons while spinsters. Do not give way to the dangerous habit of playing at courtship. It has often nipped in the bud many a girl's good and perhaps sole chance of changing her name and condition."
May and December Relationships
Boiled down - this book advises - DON'T DO IT! It will end in heartache. Also, they seem to think that "elderly women rarely make such a mistake". Boy would they be disappointed by the emergence of "cougars"
Lover's Quarrels
"Some old writers used to say that the quarrels of lovers were the renewing of love. There is no truth in it."
Women Men Dislike (I feel the need to write out the whole of this section so we can fully avoid falling into any of these pitfalls.)
"The woman who excuses herself when telling an unpleasant thing, by stating it is her duty."
"The woman with a rasping voice, who has a troop of children with whom she must continually converse." (I don't even know what they're talking about with that one....)
"The woman who can talk of nothing but men and dress."
"The woman who intimates that her baby is much superior to any other." (But what if they really are???)
"The woman who spends the best part of her life in following the latest fashions."
"The woman who likes dogs better than children."
"The woman in the train or omnibus, who boasts about her private affairs so that everybody can hear." (Hello pet peeve! Modern day equivalent - talking too loudly on your cellphone, while on the omnibus.)
"The woman with a pet ailment"
"Men like a girl who is slow and soft in her speech. They dislike the girl who is the least bit rapid in her manner or speech. They may talk to her, flirt with her perhaps, but in their heart she is disliked."
To the Girl in Love
"The way to bore your friends is by constantly quoting what "he"says or thinks." (Funny how some things always stay the same, lol)
"Don't wear only the colours which "he" pronounces the most becoming, if they make you look a fright."
"Don't strive to make your younger sister jealous occasionally." (Something to keep in mind for the future.)
"Don't neglect the housework because you're in love."
The Appropriate Length of Courtship
"The longer the wooing, the better the contracting parties know each other; while the shorter is vice versa. Of course there is such a thing as carrying things to extremes, and a courtship which is too long is apt to be wearisome."
How to Choose a Sweetheart (again, I will transcribe all that they have to say on this subject. Seems pretty important to me.)
"First of all, respect yourself, then you will win respect."
"Love is blind, but marriage is a capital eye-opener."
"All have love, but few know how to use it right."
"Very dark or very light complexion persons should marry one with medium complexion." (and up until this point I was thinking how their proclamations were basically standing the test of time.)
"Very tall or very short persons should marry one medium built."
"Never marry extreme opposites or where there is too much sameness." (ahh, and now we get back to some legitimately good advice.)
"Never marry just for money or position or you may live to regret it."
"In choosing a wife see that she can mend a dress and cook a dinner." (Success on both parts! You're welcome mankind.)
"In choosing a husband see that he is kind to his mother and sisters." (Seriously - that is very good advice. I was literally thinking that very thing to myself just a couple days ago. Don't know why I thought about it in the first place though....)
"Keep your mind and eye upon those you love or care for."
"Don't talk too much in the presence of those you love; at times silence is golden."
"In conversation don't talk too much of 'Self'."
"Before getting married, send the Photo or Handwriting of your Sweetheart, to the address on the cover of this book, and find out if you are suited to each other." (How weird! But just in case you want to, here's the address: " Address all letters to - "Madame" 122, Railway Terrace, Padiham." Hello return to sender no zip code or state!)
That basically concludes all that this most useful pamphlet has to say on the subject of courtship. Now to discuss! And if you're interested in seeing ALL that this pamphlet has to say on the subject, feel free to book an appointment with me and I will allow you to peruse it at your leisure. Appointments are for 15 minutes, if you anticipate taking longer, please sign up for multiple time slots to avoid overbooking! Thank you.
Next week: Marriage.
Read More......
Todays discussion will revolve around..... Courtship!
(This picture is totally a literal depiction of how my "courtship" is going to go by the way.)
Moving on. Here are some tidbits to spark discussion.
Choosing Your Life Partner
"There are men, and very often the best too, who are shy and need encouragement, inasmuch as it should be remembered that the men who declare their love in most beautiful language are those who love least truly."
For Would-be Engaged Girls
"Do not forget that the girls who are most successful in securing husbands are those who do all in their power to fit themselves for the role of matrons while spinsters. Do not give way to the dangerous habit of playing at courtship. It has often nipped in the bud many a girl's good and perhaps sole chance of changing her name and condition."
May and December Relationships
Boiled down - this book advises - DON'T DO IT! It will end in heartache. Also, they seem to think that "elderly women rarely make such a mistake". Boy would they be disappointed by the emergence of "cougars"
Lover's Quarrels
"Some old writers used to say that the quarrels of lovers were the renewing of love. There is no truth in it."
Women Men Dislike (I feel the need to write out the whole of this section so we can fully avoid falling into any of these pitfalls.)
"The woman who excuses herself when telling an unpleasant thing, by stating it is her duty."
"The woman with a rasping voice, who has a troop of children with whom she must continually converse." (I don't even know what they're talking about with that one....)
"The woman who can talk of nothing but men and dress."
"The woman who intimates that her baby is much superior to any other." (But what if they really are???)
"The woman who spends the best part of her life in following the latest fashions."
"The woman who likes dogs better than children."
"The woman in the train or omnibus, who boasts about her private affairs so that everybody can hear." (Hello pet peeve! Modern day equivalent - talking too loudly on your cellphone, while on the omnibus.)
"The woman with a pet ailment"
"Men like a girl who is slow and soft in her speech. They dislike the girl who is the least bit rapid in her manner or speech. They may talk to her, flirt with her perhaps, but in their heart she is disliked."
To the Girl in Love
"The way to bore your friends is by constantly quoting what "he"says or thinks." (Funny how some things always stay the same, lol)
"Don't wear only the colours which "he" pronounces the most becoming, if they make you look a fright."
"Don't strive to make your younger sister jealous occasionally." (Something to keep in mind for the future.)
"Don't neglect the housework because you're in love."
The Appropriate Length of Courtship
"The longer the wooing, the better the contracting parties know each other; while the shorter is vice versa. Of course there is such a thing as carrying things to extremes, and a courtship which is too long is apt to be wearisome."
How to Choose a Sweetheart (again, I will transcribe all that they have to say on this subject. Seems pretty important to me.)
"First of all, respect yourself, then you will win respect."
"Love is blind, but marriage is a capital eye-opener."
"All have love, but few know how to use it right."
"Very dark or very light complexion persons should marry one with medium complexion." (and up until this point I was thinking how their proclamations were basically standing the test of time.)
"Very tall or very short persons should marry one medium built."
"Never marry extreme opposites or where there is too much sameness." (ahh, and now we get back to some legitimately good advice.)
"Never marry just for money or position or you may live to regret it."
"In choosing a wife see that she can mend a dress and cook a dinner." (Success on both parts! You're welcome mankind.)
"In choosing a husband see that he is kind to his mother and sisters." (Seriously - that is very good advice. I was literally thinking that very thing to myself just a couple days ago. Don't know why I thought about it in the first place though....)
"Keep your mind and eye upon those you love or care for."
"Don't talk too much in the presence of those you love; at times silence is golden."
"In conversation don't talk too much of 'Self'."
"Before getting married, send the Photo or Handwriting of your Sweetheart, to the address on the cover of this book, and find out if you are suited to each other." (How weird! But just in case you want to, here's the address: " Address all letters to - "Madame" 122, Railway Terrace, Padiham." Hello return to sender no zip code or state!)
That basically concludes all that this most useful pamphlet has to say on the subject of courtship. Now to discuss! And if you're interested in seeing ALL that this pamphlet has to say on the subject, feel free to book an appointment with me and I will allow you to peruse it at your leisure. Appointments are for 15 minutes, if you anticipate taking longer, please sign up for multiple time slots to avoid overbooking! Thank you.
Next week: Marriage.
Read More......
Thursday, February 18, 2010
It's Going to Be a Thing: The Revival
It's been a while since I've done an it's going to be a thing, but I'm back. And the people rejoice. But seriously, I guess I just haven't been inspired recently. Until now. Duh Duh Duhhhhhhh.
So what's going to be a thing in the upcoming months/years do you ask? I'll tell you!
Southwestern! It's ready and rarin' for a revival. I'm thinking Ponchos! Turquoise Jewelry! Navajo inspired patterns. Oh yeah, it's all gonna be there. Personally I may only be embracing the Turquoise jewelry, but whatevs.
Oh yeah, that looks nice.
We're going to be seeing this skirt mass produced an in H&Ms everywhere. Mark my words.
I don't know, I just have a feeling about this one. It may be because I've been so into western romance novels recently, or maybe it's my insane desire to go see the grand canyon, but something has gotten the inspiration juices flowing. Alls I'm saying, is that if I was designing my next fashion line, Southwestern influences would be all up over the place.
So what do y'all think? Read More......
So what's going to be a thing in the upcoming months/years do you ask? I'll tell you!
Southwestern! It's ready and rarin' for a revival. I'm thinking Ponchos! Turquoise Jewelry! Navajo inspired patterns. Oh yeah, it's all gonna be there. Personally I may only be embracing the Turquoise jewelry, but whatevs.
Oh yeah, that looks nice.
We're going to be seeing this skirt mass produced an in H&Ms everywhere. Mark my words.
I don't know, I just have a feeling about this one. It may be because I've been so into western romance novels recently, or maybe it's my insane desire to go see the grand canyon, but something has gotten the inspiration juices flowing. Alls I'm saying, is that if I was designing my next fashion line, Southwestern influences would be all up over the place.
So what do y'all think? Read More......
Friday, January 29, 2010
Four New-Old Words.
It's been awhile since my last Forgotten English word post, so the good words have kind of piled up. Thus, I present to you four new-old words that we should bring back.
Pinchery :
A state of extreme carefulness approaching miserliness.
-Rev. M. C. F. Morris' Yorkshire Folk-Talk, 1892
A State of want or deficiency; poverty. Cumberland.
-Joseph Wright's English Dialect Dictionary, 1896 - 1905
Spurticles :
Spectacles
-R. Pearse Chope's The Dialect of Hartland, Devonshire, 1891
*I thought it was adorable when College-Ted exclaimed "My spectacles!" Imagine how much more hilarious it would have been had he said "My Spurticles!" hahahaha.
Kintra-cooser :
A human stallion; a fellow who debauches many country girls.
-John Mactaggart's Scottish Gallovidian Encyclopedia, 1824
From kintra, country, and cooser, a stallion.
-John Jamieson's Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language, 1879 revision.
* Future romance novelists take note of this word. In fact, I think you should write a Highlander novel (they are very popular after all), just so you can use this word.
And my favorite word thus far this year! Thorough Cough :
Coughing and breaking wind backwards at the same time.
-Francis Grose's Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, 1796
*Ah! The mythical cough-fart! I am heartened to know that it's legend has existed throughout the ages. Also, how hilarious is it that the guy who wrote Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue had the last name Grose. I love it.
Now - go forth and use these words at your will. Expect me to. Read More......
Pinchery :
A state of extreme carefulness approaching miserliness.
-Rev. M. C. F. Morris' Yorkshire Folk-Talk, 1892
A State of want or deficiency; poverty. Cumberland.
-Joseph Wright's English Dialect Dictionary, 1896 - 1905
Spurticles :
Spectacles
-R. Pearse Chope's The Dialect of Hartland, Devonshire, 1891
*I thought it was adorable when College-Ted exclaimed "My spectacles!" Imagine how much more hilarious it would have been had he said "My Spurticles!" hahahaha.
Kintra-cooser :
A human stallion; a fellow who debauches many country girls.
-John Mactaggart's Scottish Gallovidian Encyclopedia, 1824
From kintra, country, and cooser, a stallion.
-John Jamieson's Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language, 1879 revision.
* Future romance novelists take note of this word. In fact, I think you should write a Highlander novel (they are very popular after all), just so you can use this word.
And my favorite word thus far this year! Thorough Cough :
Coughing and breaking wind backwards at the same time.
-Francis Grose's Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, 1796
*Ah! The mythical cough-fart! I am heartened to know that it's legend has existed throughout the ages. Also, how hilarious is it that the guy who wrote Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue had the last name Grose. I love it.
Now - go forth and use these words at your will. Expect me to. Read More......
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