Might want to get the dictionary….

When I first began reading romance novels, I noticed that heroines were always standing "with arms akimbo," usually when they were in some sort of stubborn, defiant mood. Usually when irritated by some stubborn, defiant-ness from the hero. Naturally, when I began to write my own novels, I made sure to have my heroine stand with arms akimbo at least once.

And then…

The husband and my dearest friend were rehearsing their reading from A Tale of Two Lovers for Lady Jane's Salon. And then my dearest friend informed me that arms akimbo didn't mean what I thought it meant. She flung her arms wildly above her head to demonstrate. While reading a Serious Scene. My entire writing career thus far flashed before my eyes. Mortification ensued.

Then I consulted my dictionary. It so happens that she and I were both right:

akimbo |əˈkimbō|

adverb

• with hands on the hips and elbows turned outward: she stood with arms akimbo, frowning at the small boy.

• (of other limbs) flung out widely or haphazardly.

Any other Regency words/slang you've always wondered about?