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OP I have just finished reading "The Reluctant Widow" by Georgette Heyer, and found several words/usages new to me. (It takes place in England, during the time of Bonaparte.) Can anyone explain any of the following?
-In the coach, she leaned back against the "squabs".
-When someone died, there was something called a "hatchment" put up over the front door.
-One of the servants was an "abigail".
-One of the (native to Sussex, I believe) servants said, "A dentical fine gentleman".
-Someone had gone to the "Peninsula".
-The old servant couple, fussing at each other, would say "Do-adone", or "Adone-do". (Hmm-be done with you?)
-I got that this meant telling a lie or a trick, but why "gammon"? (As in, "I'm not gammoning you.")
-What is a glass of "ratafia"?
-He wore very tight "inexpressibles" (no further hints).
-They had a "nuncheon" of cold meat, fruit and tea. I like this word! 'Minds me of "nuncle"!
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Old words
Jackie 01/19/04 02:19 AM ![]()
Re: Old words
wwh 01/19/04 03:00 AM ![]()
Re: Old words
wwh 01/19/04 03:02 AM ![]()
Abigail the Carmelite
Father Steve 01/19/04 05:22 AM ![]()
Re: hatchment
wwh 01/19/04 03:11 AM ![]()
Re: Old words
wwh 01/19/04 03:14 AM ![]()
Re: Old words
wwh 01/19/04 03:16 AM ![]()
Re: Old words
wwh 01/19/04 03:21 AM ![]()
Re: Old words
Bingley 01/19/04 04:09 AM ![]()
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dxb 01/19/04 08:45 AM ![]()
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dxb 01/19/04 09:15 AM ![]()
Re: Old words
Buffalo Shrdlu 01/19/04 12:41 PM ![]()
Re: Old words
maverick 01/19/04 01:01 PM ![]()
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maverick 01/19/04 01:02 PM ![]()
Re: Old words
Faldage 01/19/04 02:21 PM ![]()
Re: Old words
Jackie 01/19/04 03:06 PM ![]()
Re: Old words
Buffalo Shrdlu 01/19/04 03:11 PM ![]()
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Jackie 01/19/04 02:11 PM ![]()
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Buffalo Shrdlu 01/19/04 02:14 PM ![]()
Re: Old words
AnnaStrophic 01/19/04 02:18 PM ![]()
Re: Oink
Buffalo Shrdlu 01/19/04 02:19 PM ![]()
Re: Old words
wwh 01/19/04 03:21 PM ![]()
Re: Old words
jheem 01/19/04 04:07 PM ![]()
Re: Old words
AnnaStrophic 01/19/04 05:27 PM ![]()
Re: Old words
Wordwind 01/19/04 05:40 PM ![]()
Re: take your pick
maverick 01/19/04 05:44 PM ![]()
Re: take your pick
Faldage 01/19/04 05:51 PM ![]()
Re: take your pick
maverick 01/19/04 05:54 PM ![]()
Re: take your pick
wow 01/23/04 03:20 PM ![]()
Re: Old words
dxb 01/19/04 04:18 PM ![]()
Re: Old words
Wordwind 01/19/04 04:30 PM ![]()
Re: Old words
Jackie 01/19/04 04:52 PM ![]()
dentical
Jenet 01/19/04 10:41 PM
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