What Was I Saying...?

Also known as "Mrs. Gneech." ;)

Furthermore, happy belated birthdays to xoagray, blackpaw, spikerotty, kamau_d_lyon, the late, great twoolfe, calikat, cooner, dewhitton, canisrufus_uk, rikoshi, ryanohki, oceansedge, xydexx, tobias_wulf, joeygatorman, bearblue, wyatt1048, rigelkitty, jadedfox, jakebe, tygermoonfoxx, plonq, wesha, jim_lane, and kelloggs2066!

Hope there's enough Forgotten English (© Jeffrey Kacirk) to go around!

autochthon

One who rises or grows out of the earth. The original inhabitants of a country.

—Rev. John Boag's Imperial Lexicon of the English Language, c. 1850

First European Born in America

On this date in 1587 Virginia Dare was born on Roanoke Island, just off the coast of North Carolina — the first child born of English parents in the New World. Nearly three centuries later, Maria Theresa Longworth's Teresina in America (1875) described the residents of nearby South Carolina: "A stranger sailing direct from New York to Charleston will be greatly struck with the change which forty-eight hours can produce. The South Carolinian seemed almost of a different race — tall, thin, well-formed, sinewy men, sallow complexioned, with long, straight hair and deep-set eyes of a most peculiar grey. Actually they are of a pale colour, but at a little distance simulating a dark mysterious hue, as though they had more in their depth than could be read at a single glance. They have a carriage differing from the hurried shuffling tread of the business and moneymaking man of the North. It tells of rule and authority. The dark, flashing dauntless eye bespeaks the unconquered warrior soul."

So, Black Irish, pretty much. Why didn't you just say so?

-The Gneech

Happy birthday, soapcoyotewolf! For your present, here's today's Forgotten English (© Jeffrey Kacirk):

airdrawn

Imaginary; drawn or painted in the air.

—William Grimshaw's Ladies' Lexicon and Parlour Companion, 1854

Approximate Birthday of J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851),

experimental English painter who was seen by some, such as John Ruskin, as an artistic genius for his pre-Impressionist atmospheric effects. But many critics considered Turner a foolish dreamer whose technique and eye for color were suspect. Amazingly, the eccentric and nearly illiterate artist created more than 20,000 works, mostly landscapes, seascapes, and airscapes, which he bequeathed to the English public on his death. When not staying with his patron, Lord Petworth, he lived in various London taverns, including the Ship and Bladebone in Limehouse Reach. Turner, whose remarkably executed early drawings had fetched just a few shillings, was once accused of grossly overcharging buyers for his oil paintings and brought before a local magistrate. During the proceedings, the prosecutor sternly asked the middle-aged artist how long it had taken him to create a particular piece of artwork. With a cleverly theatrical display of humility, Turner paused and looked at the judge — finally replying gently, "All my life, m'lord."

Feh. Surely if he was over-charging for artwork, the problem would be largely self-correcting, wouldn't it?

-The Gneech

Once again, I have been remiss. Alas, the suckage! So happy birthday, better late than never, to blue_panther, thirdhorse, mearls, pandaguy, shaycaron, swampy, bauske, kurst, redkam, the_monkey_king, athelind, sirfox, stripeymaney, m0nkeygrl, vlad_badger, gamescribe, cmdr_kitsune, syke, smrgol_t_kirin, poppyokapi, makovette, jonasbagel, tchall, galish, nerfcoyote, carlfox, teirandragon, mouseferatu, trejaan, mooivos, katayamma, crikeyduck, guigar, mehndix, trpeal, babsbunny, bjbuttons, banditloaf, splodefromcute, and depoisson!

And happy NOT-belated birthday to berin. :)

Hope there's enough Forgotten English (© Jeffrey Kacirk) to go around!

drear

Dismal, gloomy, distressful; [from] Anglo-Saxon dreorig, sorrowful, Icelandic dreyrigr, gory.

—Rev. James Stormonth's Dictionary of the English Language, 1884

Hedgehog Soup for Mental Health?

Today is the birthday of Phillippe Pinel (1745-1826), French physician and pioneer of modern psychology. Pinel, who was among the first to consider forms of insanity as an illness rather than the result of demons, might well have appreciated Hieronymus Brunschwig's pleasant-sounding treatment to soothe a depressed spirit, as found in his book A Most Excellent and Perfecte Homish Apothecarye (translated by John Hollybush, 1561): "He that is become mad with sadness and heaviness, to him ought fair to be spoken and made merry; many things should be promised him, and some given. If it is a man, let him be refreshed with women, for the same avoideth anger; but if it be a woman, let her be refreshed with men; the same bringeth them soon to their senses." A less likely approach was found in the 17th-century Fairfax Household Book, which advised, "For a lunatic, take a hedge-hog and make a broth of him, and let the patient eat of the broth and flesh."

Mmm, refreeeeeeshing.

-The Gneech

For your present, here's today's Forgotten English (© Jeffrey Kacirk):

landfall

A sudden translation of property in land by the death of a rich man.

—Rev. John Boag's Imperial Lexicon of the English Language, c. 1850

Farewell to Charles II

On this date in 1685, Charles II died of kidney failure caused by excessive inhalation of toxic mercury vapors, which believed helped transmute base metals into gold. English diarist John Evelyn described the king's final moments: "I can never forget the inexpressible luxury and profaneness, gaming, and all dissoluteness; the king sitting and toying with his concubines, Portsmouth, Cleveland, and Mazarine, a French boy singing love songs in that glorious gallery whilst about twenty of the great courtiers and other dissolute persons were at Basset round a large table, a bank of at least two thousand in gold before them ... It was enjoined that those who put on mourning should wear it as for a father, in the most solemn manner." Two days earlier, Evelyn wrote of a sudden "apoplectic fit" that overtook Charles: "If, by God's providence, Dr. King, that excellent chirurgeon, had not been accidentally present to let his blood, having his lancet in his pocket, his Majesty had certainly died that moment."

So you're saying what, it was a bit on the dissolute side?

-The Gneech

For your present, here's today's Forgotten English (© Jeffrey Kacirk):

snowbroth

Snow and water mixed; very cold liquor; Shakespeare.

—Noah Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828

England's Coldest Day

Since at least 1205, this date was proverbially considered the coldest day of the year in England. The claim was renewed in 1564, a few years into Elizabeth I's reign, when a "frost fair" was held on the frozen-over River Thames. John Stow's Summarie of Englyshe Chronicles (1561) described one such event: "The ice became firme and then all sortes of men, women, and children went boldly upon the ice ... People were many that set up boothes and standings upon the ice, as fruit-sellers, victuallers that sold beere and wine, shoemakers, and a barber's tent." No fewer than seventeen frost fairs were recorded between 1281 and 1814. At the end of the 1683–1684 fair, diarist John Evelyn observed, "The booths were almost all taken down, but there was first a map, or landskip, cut in copper, representing all ... the sports and pastimes thereon in memory of so signal a frost." The formerly broader, shallower, and slower-running Thames was narrowed by the 19th-century Embankment project, creating a swifter river that no longer froze over.

I've read that one before. You're repeating yourself, Jeffrey!

-The Gneech

For your present, here's today's Forgotten English (© Jeffrey Kacirk):

mack nor mell

"I'll neither mack nor mell," I'll not interfere. Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida.

—F. T. Dinsdale's Glossary of Provincial Words Used in Teesdale in the County of Durham, 1849

Teachaholic's Wedding

Today marks the wedding day in 1800 of eccentric English surgeon and teacher John Abernaty (1765–1830), who prided himself on allowing nothing to interfere with his instructional duties. He was known derisively as "Doctor My-Book" because he often referred patients to a book he wrote about surgical operations. Years after his nuptials, a friend happened across this smartly dressed medico in the hospital, inquired about his formal attire — which included a white waistcoat — and was told that his daughter had been married that day. "Indeed, sir," ventured the friend, "you should have given yourself a holiday, and not come down to lecture." Abernathy brushed aside the remark gracefully, saying, "Egad, I came down to lecture the day I myself was married!" On another occasion, according to Abernathy's memoirs, he was in the process of making a house call near the hospital when he heard the clock strike two. He stopped in his tracks, saying, "I'll be damned if I do," and returned to the lecture room.

F. T. Dinsdale's Glossary of Provincial Words Used in Teesdale in the County of Durham, while not as specific as Glossary of Inane Drivel the_gneech Spouted at Starbucks Last Wednesday Between 12:00 and 12:15, is still a strong contender in the "Most Pointlessly Specific Book EVAR" competition.

-The Gneech

P.S.: "Dinsdale!" —Spiny Norman

Happy birthday to eskermikey!

And happy belated birthday to apresvie, fallwind, graveyardgreg, aki_no_kaze, dslartoo, darkwingpsycho, hantamouse, tumulus, james_b, allen_trembler, pocket_entropy, and higginsdragon!

Fortunately, there's plenty of Forgotten English (© Jeffrey Kacirk) to go around!

howd'ye

In what state is your health? Used as a compliment of civility or an inquiry into the state of a person's health; of how, do and ye; [whence "howdy"].

— Daniel Fenning's Royal English Dictionary, 1775

Wassail Eve

On this evening, once known as Twelfth Night, medieval participants celebrated the conclusion of the Yule season. They typically drank sweetened, spiced ale or wine from two-handled "loving cups," which were crafted for sharing. The name was derived from the 13th-century Norse drinking slautation waes hail, which meant "be thou healthy" and is closely related to the modern words whole and holy. Wassail later became any festivity or accompanying imbibement. But in Customs and Fashions in Old New England (1893) Alice Morse Earle mentioned the prohibition of toasting: "In 1630 [Massachusetts] governor Winthrop abolished the 'vain custom' of drinking healths at his table, and in 1639 the court publicly order the cessation of the practice because 'it was a thing of no use — it induced drunkenness and quarrelling, it wasted time and beer, and it was troublesome to many, forcing them to drink more than they wished.' A fine of twelve shillings was imposed on each health-drinker."

The best definition of Puritanism I ever read was "the nagging worry that somewhere, out there, somebody is having a good time."

-The Gneech

Speaking of getting back into the swing of things, I did make a New Year's Resolution last year about keeping up with birthdays, and yet most of this year I've been made of fail on that score. So for all you people who've had a birthday since September 30, Belated Happy Birthday!

This offer extends (but is not limited) to blacktigr, klepsydra, kuddlepup, lukebacca, paulofcthulhu, robin_d_laws, kesh, gamera_spinning, chipuni, zhivagod, rhanlav, ccroft, panthras, emsworth, eddiecanis, _litho_, fferret, michelelight, benbear, wielder13, spikedpunch, balloonpup, ozarque, vik_thor, jbadger, doodlesthegreat, goodluckfox, maxgoof, raka, muskrat_john, silussa, raemonde, and mouser!

Share your Forgotten English (© Jeffrey Kacirk) nice, now!

bauchle

To treat contemptuously; to villify. To bauchle a lass, to jilt a young woman.

—John Jamieson's Etymological Scottish Dictionary, 1808

Americanisms as Foreign Words

On this date in 1737, Englishman Francis Moore penned in his diary the first written denouncement of an Americanism — a practice carried on by his countrymen for the next two centuries. The offending word, bluff, had been adapted by Americans from its traditional but now largely forgotten British meaning of a jutting ship's prow, to also describe a somewhat similarly shaped piece of land atop an embankment. Moore described one view of Savannah, Georgia: "It stands upon the flat of a hill; the bank of the river (which they in barbarous English call a bluff) is steep, and about forty-five foot perpendicular." Long afterward, English lexicographer and grammarian Henry Fowler continued the assault on Americans and their patterns of speech in The King's English (1906), writing scornfully, "Everyone knows an Americanism when he sees it," and "Americanisms are foreign words, and should be so treated." For more forgotten Americanisms, visit www.ForgottenEnglish.com/informal_english.htm.

As opposed to "bauske," which means to be bouncy, artistic with a short attention span, and to be obsessed with Pac-Man. ;)

-The Gneech

Happy belated birthdays to blackfeather and indigoangelcat! For your present, here's today's Forgotten English (© Jeffrey Kacirk):

errhine

A medicine which when applied to the mucous membrane of the nose increases the natural secretions and produces sneezing. Having the action of an errhine.

—Sydenham Society's Lexicon of Medicine and Allied Sciences, 1897

Feast Day of St. Herve,

a patron of allergy-sufferers. Errhine described liquefied medications that were steeped into plugs of "lint" before nasal insertion, as well as those "snoached," or inhaled dry, or sometimes blown into the nose by a doctor using a quill or pipe, to increase secretions. Another practitioner employing errhines was the midwife, who induced sneezing during childbirth as a technique to facilitate a pushing action in the mother. During the nineteenth century, "nasal douches" composed of various ingredients were used as a remedy for colds and influenza, as well as their prevention, just as Nicholas Culpepper's The English Physitian (1653) had recommended two centuries earlier for more general purposes: "Snuff up the juice of red beet-root; it will cleanse not only the nose, but also the head. This is a singular remedy for such as are troubled with hard congealed stuff in their nostrils."

Thar she blows!

-The Gneech

Happy birthday to tygercowboy! And happy belated birthday to pegasus316, who was on the 4th but I missed it somehow! Have some Forgotten English (© Jeffrey Kacirk)!

flammivomous

Vomiting flames, as a volcano; from Latin flamma and vomo, to vomit.

—Rev. John Boag's Imperial Lexicon, c. 1850

Summer Snows

On June 6 and 7, 1816, snow fell across much of New England — with twenty-inch drifts reported around Danville, Vermont — amid record low temperatures and chilling winds. Throughout that summer, farmers tried with varying success to salvage their crops, as preachers took the opportunity to spread the notion that this bizarre "global cooling" was simply God punishing the wicked. The intermittent snows continued, and on August 21, snow fell that would remain until the following spring. Some discouraged families packed up and moved south or went to find factory jobs in nearby towns and cities or to help construct the Erie Canal. This powerful cold snap had resulted from the eruption of Mt. Tambora on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa the year before, which caused temporary climate change in America, Europe, and elsewhere by sending ashes billowing into the upper atmosphere.

You ever notice that good weather isn't purported to be God rewarding the virtuous?

-The Gneech