Gig, A Flirting Girl

Below is an article I found in an 1899 Newspaper that I thought was interesting in terms of word use. We've discussed often on various writer loops the way certain words were in vogue at certain times and how they can have totally different meanings in other times. For example the gig. A gig concerning my research into 19th century Carriages & Wagons is a light, two wheeled carriage. Obviously it has another meaning as you can read from this article. Enjoy!

Silly Goose and Other Expressions

The term "you silly goose" has been around for a long time. Recently one of my historical writer buds was asked to verify the use of this expression to a copy editor. The copy editor thought it was too modern of an expression. To the copy editor's credit, it would have been my first thought too because it is an expression we still use. However, it turns out that the use of this expression was used before 1826 and all the way through the 19th century. Below is a list I sent my friend with the proof of the expression based on the copyrights of the works.
1826 The london literary gazette and journal of belles letters, arts... pg.70 (And another publication same year, same story)
1846 A Dictionary of the English & German, and the German and English... Vol. 2 pg 407
1866 Saturday Reader Vol 2 pg 53
1869 Once a Week pg 131

I'm sharing this with all of you to point out that when researching and writing historicals we might use an expression that is historically correct but might not be thought of as historical. To check on expression type the expression in quotes and search libraries like google books. Narrow the search by selecting free books and 19th century (If that is the time period you are writing in.) and see if the expression you wish to use was used then.

Another point to remember: Editor's still might ask you to change the expression because they feel it might jar the reader out of the story even though you know you are historically accurate. In which case, you change the expression. I try to write expressions that are unique to the character, their surroundings and their personality. Sometimes I've come up with more powerful expressions for my characters. Other times, a common expression is the way to go because the reader zooms right past and doesn't require additional musing over your word choice. In the end work it out with your editor and be true to your story and characters.

Benjamin Franklin's Words of Wisdom

In honor of Benjamin Franklin's Birthday last week I've selected this list of quotes from Houghtaling's Handbook of Useful Information ©1887

Ben. Franklin's Words of Wisdom.
Want of care does us more damage than want of knowledge.

For want of a nail the shoe was lost, and for want of a shoe the horse was lost.

For age and want save while you may, no morning sun lasts all the day.

Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other.

Lying rides upon debt's back; it is hard for an empty bag to stand upright.

Creditors have better memories than debtors.

Women and wine, game and deceit, make the wealth small and the want great.

What maintains one vice would bring up two children.

Plough deep while sluggards sleep; and you shall have corn to sell and to keep.

Work to-day for you know not how much you may be hindered tomorrow.

Fly pleasure and it will follow you. The diligent spinner has a large shift.

Now I have a sheep and a cow, everybody bids me good morrow.

Keep they shop, and they shop will keep thee.

If you would have your business done, go, if not, send.

Who dainties love shall beggars prove. Fools lay out money and buy repentance.

Foolish men make feasts, and wise men eat them.

He that by the plough would thrive, himself must either hold or drive.

The eye of the master will do more work than both his hands.

Silks and Satins, Scarlet and Velvets, put out the kitchen fire.

Always taking out of the meal tub and never putting in, soon comes to the bottom.

Drive thy business, let not that drive thee. Sloth makes all things difficult, industry all easy.

Early to bed and early to rise; makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.

If you would know the value of money, try to borrow some.

When the well is dry, they know the worth of water.

Not to over see workmen, is to leave them your purse open.

If you would have a faithful servant, and one that you like, serve yourself.

By diligence and perseverance the mouse eat the cable in two.

Diligence is the mother of good luck; and God gives all things to industry.

Industry needs not wish, and he that lives upon hope will die fasting.

There are no gains without pains; then help hands, for I have no lands.

Buy what thou hast no need of, and ere long thou wilt sell thy necessaries.

At a great pennyworth pause awhile; many are ruined by buying bargains.

The Skipper Shooting the Sun

I stumbled on this phrase while researching another and found it worth sharing for those of you who are writing of sea travels during the 19th century, or of emmigrants who have come to America during the 19th century. In any case, below is a quote from Adventures in Australia in 1852 and 1853 by Henry Berkeley Jones ©1853

It puzzled many of our people to see the Captain every morning take the altitude of the sun, and at mid-day the meridian altitude ; what the sailors call " the skipper shooting the sun." With some difficulty we succeeded in making a few understand its purpose and end. It was our custom to explain anything upon which they desired to be informed.

Another Day, Another Dollar

This phrase actually came from a phrase from the 19th century. "More days, more dollars." I've found the quote in several books and magazines in the 19th century. The oldest I've come across is 1853 Adventures in Australia pg. 38 and in 1857 in Nine Years a Sailor, pg. 273

The phrase refers to how the sailors were paid and the monotony of their days at sea.

Here's the quote from Adventures in Australia
A Calm at sea is, when it continues for several days, a most wearisome and monotonous occurrence. Every sail flapping lazily against the mast, the rigging creaking and straining with the heavy roll of the ship, and to no purpose, as far as regards the attainment of our object, the completion of the voyage. It is what is called by Jack himself, a sailor's wind, because their axiom is " more days, more dollars," especially at the high rate of wages they are now receiving on board of the ship in which this is penned. But even he gets tired of it, the pulling and hauling of the ropes for every shift of light airs, is what he calls " humbugging;" and it does not generally improve the temper of the " skipper," i. e., commander; his perceptions are doubled, and he sees faults where, under a fine stiff slashing gale, he would have seen none. All seem alive and exhilarated, when going along under a ten-knot breeze ; even the mates throw the reel over the side of the vessel with a swing of satisfaction and excitement.

Language of Flowers Part 3

To continue with this topic I'm including a couple of links. These links and books greatly expand the list I've given you the past two days from Houghtaling's Handbook. Below are five books representing the tip of the iceberg in Google books relating to this topic.

In 1832 Louise Cortambert wrote "The Language of Flowers" Google books full copy of the text

In 1848 Frederic Shoberl wrote "The LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS WITH ILLUSTRATIVE POETRY; TO WHICH ARE NOW ADDED THE CALENDAR OF FLOWERS AND THE DIAL OF FLOWERS. EIGHTH AMERICAN, FROM THE TENTH LONDON EDITION. REVISED BY THE EDITOR OF " FORGET ME NOT. ..." Google books has a complete copy of this book online. This book gives more than a list of what a flower means but also gives some of the background information as to why the flower means thus and so.

In 1863 Henrietta Dumont published a book "The Language of Flowers: The floral offering: a token of affection and esteem; comprising the Language and Poetry of Flowers." Google books has a full copy of this text.

In 1874 Miss Ildrewe composed "The Language of Flowers" and in her book she also expands with the use of flowers in poetry. Google books link The author also breaks down the flowers in order of seasons.

In 1884 Kate Greenaway illustrated and Edmund Evans printed in color "Language of Flowers" It's a quite expansive list encompassing 60 pages then breaks from the listing to poetry. Again you can find a complete copy of this book at Google Books This book is no longer free.

Web sites with lists:
Victorian Bazaar

Language of Flowers

Enjoy!

1885-1886 Kansas Winter

I came across this tidbit from the Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 5, 1885.

The latest guess of the weather prophet is on the rounds. Here it is. Old chicken hunters say the coming winter is going to be an unusually hard one. The thick coating of feathers on the bird indicates cold weather, and the short tails indicate much snow.

So I checked the weather of Kansas in the winter of 1885-1886.

In an excerpt from Holding Down a Kansas Claim put out by the Kansas Historical Society in their quarterlies collection there is a quote from a Catherine Wiggins Porter, who lived in Northwest Kansas during this time.
In the blizzard [of January, 1886] thousands of cattle were lost and died. There were no large herds of cattle in our particular part of the country, but farther north the cattle wintering on the range "drifted" southward with the storm into the draws which were level-full with snow, couldn't get out, and froze to death.

If you would like to read more of this account here's a link the the web page. Link

Another account in Meade County Kansas spoke of the loss of the cattle from that winter as well as the year before.
But 1884 and 1885 were two very cold winters. So severe that many were frozen before the drift fence. So the second year, when the weather became too severe and stormy so that they began to stand along the drift fences and freeze, the cattlemen saw their folly and cut the fence and let them go south where it was warmer. They decided it was better to let them go altogether even if it cost more. The cattle of different brands were mixed together. So the cattlemen had a meeting and planned to send men according to the number of cattle. The ranchers sent out one mess wagon each, then cowboys, one horse rustler, and seven ponies so that each cowboy had one for each day of the week, making 70 in all. Then Yeepee o-o-o-o! and away we go for the round-up. Follow this link for the rest of the post Link

And in the KS cyclopedia 1912 this excerpt says:
While there was more or less loss of life during the early settlement of Kansas from these causes, the blizzard of Dec., 1885, and Jan., 1886, was probably the most destructive to life and property of any storm that ever swept over the state. This storm was general from the mountains to the Missouri river. It started in the latter part of Dec., 1885, and an unbroken blanket of snow extended from Williams, N. Mex., to Kansas City. Railroad traffic on the plains was practically suspended. The weather moderating, railroad traffic was resumed, when another storm, more serious than the first, again tied up traffic, this time completely. Temperature during the month of January ranged from 12° below zero at Atchison to 25° below at Junction City, and 18° below at Dodge City. A 44-mile wind a part of the time helped make things lively at the last named place. All over the southwestern part of the state the precipitation was chiefly sleet, which left the ground covered with ice. A big cut on the Union Pacific near Salina was completely covered with snow, and it required the combined efforts of all section men on the road between Lawrence and Brookville for nearly 16 hours with picks and shovels to open it for traffic. This cut was about 20 feet deep and a quarter of a mile long, and eleven locomotives were employed in "bucking" the snow, but they all became stalled and had to be dug out. Many points on the railroads were a week without mail from the outside world, and cattle losses from some sections were reported from three to twenty-five per cent.

Basically this all proves that animals can and do forecast the weather.

Dry As A Dictionary

The phrase was common during the 19th Century. For a short time after Noah Webster came out with his dictionary there was an outcry in magazines and other publications at the time, to no longer use the phrase. But I found it continuing to be used through out the later part of the century as well. You can also find the phrase in use of reviews of books. In fact, Theodore Roosevelt referred to his biography in the same manner.

Men of Straw

Taken from "Things Not Generally Known by John Timbs, David Ames Wells ©1857

Many years ago, men could be easily found to give any evidence, upon oath, that might be required: and some of these persons walked openly in Westminster Hall with a straw in one of their shoes, to signify they wanted employment as witnesses; hence originated the saying "he is a Man of Straw." But the custom has high antiquity. A writer in the Quarterly Review (vol. xzziii. p. 344), on Greek Courts, says: "We have all heard of a race of men who used in former days to ply about our own courts of law, and who, from their manner of-making known their occupation, were recognized by the name of straw sheet. An advocate or lawyer who wanted a convenient witness, knew by these signs where to find one, and the colloquy between the parties was brief. 'Don't you remember? ' said the advocate—(the party looked at the fee and gave no sign; but the fee increased, and the powers of memory increased with it)—' To be sure I do.' ' Then come into court and swear it 1' And straw shoes went into court and swore it. Athens abounded in straw shoes."

Though a straw in the shoe has ceased to be the distinguishing mark, the records of many of our courts show that " men of straw " still exist, and are easily found by those unprincipled enough to require their services. They are now, however, principally employed 09 bail; and " straw bail," has become a familiar word in all our courts. Their false oath of the possession of property is often a ready means of snatching felons from the custody of the law.

Acknowledge the Corn

One of the slang sayings that I've run across from the 19th century is "acknowledge the corn" which means to admit the truth, to acknowledge one's own shortcoming or obvious lies, one's mistakes, one's faults or in other words to confess.

A couple of cited sources are:
1840: David Johnson acknowledged the corn, and said that he was drunk. Daily Pennant, St. Louis, July 14
1846: I hope he will give up the argument, or, to use a familiar phrase, acknowledge the corn. Mr. Speight, Mississippi, U.S. Senate, Congressional Globe, January 28
1850: He has not confessed the corn, as the saying is, that he did preach disunion? Mr. Staniy, North Carolina, House of Reps., Congressional Globe