Historical novels have to sound authentic. Lucky for me, people have done a ton of research and are sharing it with others, an enormous time saver! Like The History Quill.com author, Sophie Writes gave writers like me a phenomenal list of vocabulary, swear words and curses. Here’s a sample:
- Did you know the old word for feeling sick, ague, really meant malaria?
- You finical jackanape meant you lowly beast!
- God’s teeth! Could be an oath, including calling on God to listen in on the terrible actions of the perpetrator
- Secretary Hand was the prevalent style of handwriting
- So God mend me, was a polite “oath”, suitable for women and children
Check out Sophie’s list for the next time you really want to tell someone off!