As someone who has a lot to learn about Victorian history and literature, I recently looked around for a general what's-what of Victorian information. I found What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew by Daniel Pool and feel as though I stumbled on a treasure chest of wonderful Victorian tid-bits. In an effort to increase my knowledge, and hopefully that of others, I am starting this thread - my daily Victorian Word of the Day, care of this wonderful book.

The entries that I'm including are direct quotes from Daniel Pool (copyright 1993 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.). If you have any additional information to add, in an effort to educate anyone who is interested, please feel free to include your thoughts/facts below.

abigail - a lady's maid

Paula wrote: " abigail - a lady's maid"

Great idea, Paula! I did a little checking on this first one since I knew that Abigail was the wonderful woman that David met while he was running for his life and almost immediately married. Here's what I found from one source:

'It is of Hebrew origin, and its meaning is "father of exaltation". Biblical: the name of King David's third wife, described as "good in discretion and beautiful in form". She referred to herself as David's "handmaid", and her name became widely used as a term for a lady's maid.'

http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/...

And from another source:

'Father rejoiced, or father's joy. Gives joy. The intelligent, beautiful Abigail was Old Testament King David's third wife, described as 'good in discretion and beautiful in form.' In the 1916 play The Scornful Lady, Abigail was a lady's maid.'

http://www.weddingvendors.com/baby-names...

The biblical reference is 1 Samuel 25:2-44. Good story!

http://www.ebible.com/#1%20Samuel%2025:2

Oh my goodness- you are totally feeding my addiction for learning about words!! Yay! I love word origins!

For the record, "Paula" is Latin for 'small'. I'm 5'9" :) I think that's what started it all.

Paula wrote: "As someone who has a lot to learn about Victorian history and literature, I recently looked around for a general what's-what of Victorian information. I found What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dick..."

I have this book too! It's really handy and quite accessible for general readers.

There is also Dickens' Fur Coat and Charlotte's Unanswered Letters The Rows and Romances of England's Great Victorian Novelists

acceptance - The act of putting one's name on a bill of exchange and writing "accepted" across it, which then made one liable to pay it.

(p.259)

accommodation note or bill - A bill of exchange that one "accepted" for someone else so he could, in effect, borrow money based on one's credit-worthiness.

(p. 260)

Paula wrote: "accommodation note or bill - A bill of exchange that one "accepted" for someone else so he could, in effect, borrow money based on one's credit-worthiness. (p. 260)"

This really works into some good plots, especially in Trollope.

lol--I remember the first time I read Pride and Prejudice I was horribly confused about Mr. Bingley "taking possession by Michelmas." I was pretty young (about 12) and so essentially none of that phrase made any sense to me. Great list, Paula!

Darcy, I've still got problems with "Michelmas" but I know I could look that up. But "taking possession" is pretty much common, and modern, American (and probably British) English.

I doubt if I was reading Pride and Prejudice at 12, but I love the fact that on GoodReads I meet people who, like me, were reading adult books as soon as they could get their hands on them.

interesting thread!! thanks!!

Laurele wrote: "This really works into some good plots, especially in Trollope.
..."

That's one of the things that appealed to me with Pool's book. The opening sections specifically mention verbiage from Dickens, Trollope and others. Even in some of the definitions, Pool mentions which book references said word or phrase. Very helpful book!

act - A piece of legislation that had passed both Houses of Parliament, been signed by the monarch and become law; before that, it was called a "bill."

(p. 260)

This is a really wonderful thread topic! I'll be watching with interest.

Something I've noticed popping up in several recent Victorian era novels is the term billet-doux (a short love note). I don't know much about the terms origins or if it was a distinctly 'Victorian' expression. Perhaps your book has something to say about this?

Hmmm... the book has this term in neither the glossary nor the index. :(

All I was able to do was confirm your definition of a short love note (literally 'sweet note' from the translation from French). Different sites list the origin from 1665-75 so well in use before the Victorian period.

Apparently there isn't any more to it than that - there are actually a few sites that argue it should be more involved, but many (with seeming French knowledge) say, simply, it's a love letter; the French know about these, it doesn't need to be complicated.

Shortest definition and origin I've ever seen! :)

There must be someone on here who knows French, though, and can answer if there is more to it than "love letter"?

adder - A snake, especially one that struck out.

(p. 260)

An odd term to toss into the glossery, imo. I understand the connection prior to Victorian times (isn't this the snake that became famous thanks to Cleopatra?) but seems odd in a glossary of Victorian terms.

Paula wrote: adder - A snake, especially one that struck out.
An odd term to toss into the glossery, imo. I understand the connection prior to Victorian times (isn't this the snake that became famous thanks to Cleopatra?) but seems odd in a glossary of Victorian terms.


It was an asp that Cleopatra clasped to her breast. "Adder" is used a few times in the Old Testament, especially in the poetry books, as in "They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips."

I'm humbled by your knowledge - all I could remember was that it was a snake :)

Laurele wrote: "Paula wrote: adder - A snake, especially one that struck out.
An odd term to toss into the glossery, imo. I understand the connection prior to Victorian times (isn't this the snake that became famo..."

I thought that the snake that killed Cleo was an asp? Or is it just another name for the adder?

Paula wrote: "As someone who has a lot to learn about Victorian history and literature, I recently looked around for a general what's-what of Victorian information. I found What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dick..."

I've had this book on my to-read list for a while. Now, I'm even more excited. This may be one I have to actually buy instead of simply borrowing from the library. I've really cut back on book buying this year...stupid economy.

Paula wrote: "Hmmm... the book has this term in neither the glossary nor the index. :(

All I was able to do was confirm your definition of a short love note (literally 'sweet note' from the translation from F..."

Erm, yes, it also means condom in French. I'm just sayin' ;o)

Ok, that's just funny.

I believe Cleopatra was killed by an asp, yes, and not an adder.

Ok, yes, I was wrong :)

Is it too late to remove my comment about the adder? It's a touch embarassing :)

Paula wrote: "Is it too late to remove my comment about the adder? It's a touch embarassing :)"

I don't think it's anything to be embarrassed about at all, Paula. Many people don't even know that Cleopatra was killed by a snake whose name begins with "a."

I guess I am just humbled by people's depth and breadth of knowledge. It is nice to see, as I sometimes feel in my 'real world' that there isn't that same level of knowledge in areas that appeal to me. Just a reminder that I have a lot to learn! (and, perhaps, a bit of an overshare).

:)

From Wikipedia :

"Asp is the modern Anglicisation of the word aspis, which in antiquity referred to any one of several venomous snake species found in the Nile region[citation needed:]. It is believed that the aspis referred to in Egyptian mythology is the modern Egyptian cobra.[1:]
Throughout dynastic and Roman Egypt, the asp was a symbol of royalty[citation needed:]. Moreover, in both Egypt and Greece, its potent venom made it useful as a means of execution for criminals who were thought deserving of a more dignified death than that of typical executions[citation needed:].
According to Plutarch (quoted by Ussher), Cleopatra tested various deadly poisons on condemned persons and animals for daily entertainment and concluded that the bite of the asp was the least terrible way to die; the venom brought sleepiness and heaviness without spasms of pain. The asp is perhaps most famous for its role in Cleopatra's suicide[2:] (some believe it to have been a horned viper)[1:][3:] as immortalized by both history and legend."

Apparently 'asp' refers to a particular species of snake, while 'adder' is a generic term for a poisonous snake. So Paula is not wrong when she referred to Cleo's snake as an 'adder'.

Interesting, the things that one learn on GR everyday!

advocate - The name given to the lawyers (counterparts of the serjeants in the common law courts and barristers in the Court of Chancery) who argued cases in the old courts of ecclesiastical law and admiralty law in Doctors' Commons. The proctors, corresponding to solicitors in the other courts, assisted the advocates.

(p. 260)

I understand ecclesiastical law = church law, but had to check to confirm admiralty law = marine law (and some commercial law aspects)

Paula wrote: "advocate - The name given to the lawyers (counterparts of the serjeants in the common law courts and barristers in the Court of Chancery) who argued cases in the old courts of ecclesiastical law an..."

Here's a little tidbit that I think is amusing: in French, the same word (avocat) is used for lawyer and avocado. Somehow I think Dickens would like that.

Sandybanks wrote: "From Wikipedia :

"Asp is the modern Anglicisation of the word aspis, which in antiquity referred to any one of several venomous snake species found in the Nile region[citation needed:]. It is beli..."

Moreover, in both Egypt and Greece, its potent venom made it useful as a means of execution for criminals who were thought deserving of a more dignified death than that of typical executions


when I went to turkey the Knight Templar Castle had a snake pit room that was used for those condemned to die

Susan wrote: "Sandybanks wrote: "From Wikipedia :

"Asp is the modern Anglicisation of the word aspis, which in antiquity referred to any one of several venomous snake species found in the Nile region[citation..."

So creepy! Should have visited that castle when I was in Turkey. Where is it, Susan?

Laurele wrote: "Paula wrote: "advocate - The name given to the lawyers (counterparts of the serjeants in the common law courts and barristers in the Court of Chancery) who argued cases in the old courts of ecclesi..."

And also in Dutch : 'advocaat' is a lawyer and also a kind of eggnog. : )

Boof wrote: "Paula wrote: "Hmmm... the book has this term in neither the glossary nor the index. :(

All I was able to do was confirm your definition of a short love note (literally 'sweet note' from the tran..."

Boof,thank you !!
You have just solved a mystery for me as my Parents when the Repoductive Conversations took place kept refering to Condoms as French Letters and I `ve never figured out how they came up with the phrase,so you have solved a mystery for me.
Yours Gratefully.

Always happy to be of assisance ;o)

I just wish that I could impart some great literary wisdom rather than be the font of all condom-related knowledge!

But all words have their base somewhere,and you gave me a happy flash(though slightly embarrassing)back to childhood!

I like all the connections - although, how lawyers and avocados or eggnog are related I have no clue. I sense some potential jokes here though :)

Could we pickle an avdocat in advocate for instance?

Sandybanks wrote: "Laurele wrote: "Paula wrote: "advocate - The name given to the lawyers (counterparts of the serjeants in the common law courts and barristers in the Court of Chancery) who argued cases in the old c..."

I thought advocaat was a strong spirit flavored with something unusual like caraway? What am I thinking of? Also, I think the origin of billet-doux earlier than the victorians, but I don't have any concrete evidence. Just a vague inkling that it pops up somewhere.

Anna wrote: "Also, I think the origin of billet-doux earlier than the victorians, but I don't have any concrete evidence. Just a vague inkling that it pops up somewhere. ..."

When I was looking around for the definition and origin, several things pointed to first usage in the mid- to late-17th century. I think there is a relation between the term and some paintings (think distraught woman holding letter, which is falling out of her hand).

Hmm.. I wonder if I'm remembering it from Clarissa or something?

That seems possible, Anna.

Throughout dynastic and Roman Egypt, the asp was a symbol of royalty[citation needed:].

I have to laugh. Sometimes there is no need for a citation. In Egyptian art kings and queens wore copras on their foreheads as part of their crowns. Sometimes things just are.

Starling wrote: "Throughout dynastic and Roman Egypt, the asp was a symbol of royalty[citation needed:].

I have to laugh. Sometimes there is no need for a citation. In Egyptian art kings and queens wore copras on ..."

It was quoted verbatim from Wikipedia. That's how they work, I guess.

advowson - The right to appoint someone to a benefice

(p260)

Had to look up 'benefice' - an ecclesiastical office to which the revenue from an endowment is attached (care of Mariam-Webster dictionary)

Paula wrote: "advowson - The right to appoint someone to a benefice

(p260)

Had to look up 'benefice' - an ecclesiastical office to which the revenue from an endowment is attached (care of Mariam-Webster di..."

Is this 'benefice' the same as a clergyman's 'living', which is often used in Jane Austen's novels?

Paula wrote: "advowson - The right to appoint someone to a benefice

That's one I've never, ever heard before.

Sandybanks wrote: "Paula wrote: "advowson - The right to appoint someone to a benefice

(p260)

Had to look up 'benefice' - an ecclesiastical office to which the revenue from an endowment is attached (care of Mariam-..."

Sounds like it might be.

Sandybanks wrote: "Is this 'benefice' the same as a clergyman's 'living', which is often used in Jane Austen's novels?

I believe so - different sources actually refer to it as a 'living' in relation to clerical appointments.