The OED + new fic

[luzula]

I love the Oxford English Dictionary. Not only can you find out how old various senses of individual words are, and get examples of their usage through time, but also whole phrases! Today I have learned that the phrase "too hot to hold him/her" actually goes back to the 17th century. I could really not have guessed beforehand if it was 20th century slang or something older!

In other news, I have 20K of the sequel to That Good Faith! This one is about what happens after the enemies to lovers: Keith and Ewen are in an established relationship, but they still have conflicting loyalties that come to a head during the events of Gleam in the North. I'm enjoying it a lot.

Hmm, what else? My sister's family, with two small kids, is about descend on our peaceful existence for six days. I'm sure it'll be enjoyable and tiring both.

Comments

[starshipfox]

I love the OED too. I have a two-volume set from 1930, and just paging through it is enjoyable. I also enjoy how old some expression are -- I remember reading Humphrey Clinker (18th century) and discovering that even then large sums of money were describes as "cool", e.g. "a cool thousand pounds".

Congrats on all your writing!

[luzula]

It sounds satisfying to have a printed version, although the online one is very convenient...

discovering that even then large sums of money were describes as "cool", e.g. "a cool thousand pounds"

Actually I have not heard this expression before, for large sums of money specifically! As opposed to the more general current use "you look cool in sunglasses", or whatever.

[feroxargentea]

Luz - are any of your recent fics in pod form? Could you shoot me a link if so? I am HUGELY behind on reading fic (for RL reasons) but have tons of listening time (also for RL reasons).

[luzula]

My recent 140K fic (The Greater Happiness, a k a the poly fic) is not recorded, sorry! I haven't decided whether to record it or not. But the one before that is definitely available as podfic! Can't remember if you've read that.

Also, if you're interested, my recent Pride & Prejudice podfic would fill up 25 hours of your time...

[feroxargentea]

Thank you!! I've jumped straight into the P&P one (I'm halfway through already, such fun). I've read If Fate Should Reverse Our Positions in text form, I think, but the podfic's next on my list :)

[luzula]

Glad you're enjoying the P&P one! : D It's such a fun, tropey story (well, except for the character death, but then one can listen to the alternate ending where he doesn't die.

Ha, and If Fate Should Reverse Our Positions also does the exact same alternate ending thing...

[regshoe]

*cheers on the fic writing*

The OED is such a useful resource! I especially like that the website lists different pronunciations (with recordings, because I can somehow never get my head round IPA symbols)—they're very useful in the prooflistening for "Mr Rowl" :D And seeing how old words and phrases are is always interesting, as well as useful for historical fic.

[luzula]

Yes, the different pronunciations are also very helpful! Of course, I still miss a fair number, mostly by thinking I already know how they're pronounced...and also, many place names are hard to find. So your prooflistening is much appreciated!

[chestnut_pod]

Sending wishes for a fun time with the kidlets!

[luzula]

I am baking a cake with the older one now! And the 1,5-year-old can always be entertained by picking her berries of any kind to eat. She loves them.

[jesse_the_k]

I'm picturing a sunny evening with berries and cake and (fewer) mosquitoes.

Oh! Oh! OED! I've been a big fan all my life. My family had an early Compact edition, reproduced micrographically, two dictionary-size books plus a hand-held magnifier. All 20 volumes were presented at microfiche size, printed on very thin paper. It was a delightful way to spend an afternoon before the internet.

Speaking of which, before Tim Berners-Lee sketched out the web with HTML, editors were creating the electronic version of the OED, using a generalized markup language. TB-L was familiar with the Standard Generalized Markup Langauge, and that's why HTML looks the way it does.

[luzula]

Your mental image is correct! Now just add an idyllic red little house with white corners, and some occasional quarrels with Mom. But mostly we've gotten along. : )

Oh, I can imagine that having to use a magnifier to read it made it even more intriguing when you were a kid.