Last Year's Forgotten English

[the_gneech]

Since I didn't post on this date last year...

gurd o'laughing
A fit of laughter; [from] gurd, a sudden or quick motion.

Death of English actor and director David Garrick (1717-1779)
Once, while performing the part of King Lear, Garrick suddenly exited the stage during the emotional conclusion of Act V, followed, one-by-one, by his entourage, Cordelia, and finally Kent. Garrick was neither ill nor insane but had been unfortunate enough to notice that seated erectly beside its master in the center of the front row was a large, attentive mastiff, its paws propped on a railing and its head held upright. Due to the excessive warmth of the theater, the canine's master had removed his wig and, having nowhere else to put it, placed it on the acquiescent pooch's head. Garrick had unsuccessfully attempted to conceal his reaction to the dog, which he hoped the others would not see, in order to allow the play to end in a dignified manner.

-The Gneech