Today I thought it would be fun to share some of the more unusual phrases one might come across as a Regency reader and author. Those who read Regency are familiar with such expressions, but those who aren’t, might be left scratching their heads.
Cut: Basically to renounce an acquaintance with someone. Naturally those of the Regency Era had degrees of ostracism: the cut direct, the cut indirect, the cut sublime, and the cut infernal.
Daddles: Hands…bet you thought they were something else, didn’t you?
Apple Dumplin Shop – A woman’s bosom. Nope, haven’t used that one.
Slow Top-Not to terribly bright; think dim-wit.
Scandal Broth-Tea. Gee, I thought for sure this was something about gossip.
Foxed-The chap’s had a bit to much to drink; Okay a lot too much to drink.
Spice Islands-A privy…not exactly the association I’d make.
All these delightful definitions are courtesy of the 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. I can’t tell you the fun I’ve had bringing the dictionary out at various functions or toting it to me to book releases and so on. It never fails to inspire copious amounts of giggling.
Please share some of yours. I love learning new ones!
