The Dictionary of Lost Words

by Pip Williams

Bondmaid. It came back to me then, and I realised that the words most often used to define us were words that described our function in relation to others. Even the most benign words – maiden, wife, mother – told the world whether we were virgins or not. What was the male equivalent of maiden? I could not think of it. What was the male equivalent of Mrs, of whore, of common scold?

Stay busy – I cannot overstate the benefits of a busy day for an anxious mind or a lonely heart.