Monthly Archives: November 2024

“Black Friday’s” Tumultuous History

Posted on November 29, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

There are several versions of how the term “Black Friday” originated. Some say “Black Friday” came about because to the chaos in Philadelphia in the 1950s at the traditional Army-Navy football game. This was a game we always watched in … Continue reading →

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Why Is Thanksgiving Always on Thursday?

Posted on November 27, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

By federal law, since 1942, Americans have celebrated Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in November since 1942, but numerous other dates were designated in the past. Most believe that the origin of Thanksgiving came to us via the 53 Pilgrims … Continue reading →

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Militia Officers in Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”

Posted on November 25, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

What was the difference between the militia officers found in Regency-based novels such as Mr. Wickham in Pride and Prejudice and the Regulars, such as Colonel Fitzwilliam, in the same book? At the time of the war with Napoleon, Great … Continue reading →

Posted in Austen actors, British history, George Wickham, Georgian England, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, military, Napoleonic Wars, Pride and Prejudice, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

Were Ambulances Available in the Regency Era?

Posted on November 22, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

I had a question from one of my readers recently. She had read a book set in the Regency era, and, in it, an ambulance was called for to fetch a patient to a hospital. Naturally, she wanted to know … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Living in the Regency, medicine, Napoleonic Wars, real life tales, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Ink, Writing, Washing It Off, Etc. – Questions from a Reader/Writer

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

QUESTION FROM A READER/WRITER: I am curious about ink used for writing, especially how indelible it was when spilled or splashed on someone. If it gets on skin or cloth, how easy was it to remove? I think there might … Continue reading →

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Use of the Word “Dowager” During the Regency Era

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

In the Regency, the word dowager was used in newspapers, letters, the Gazette,  and on letters. One was never addressed as a “Dowager.” One does not say, “Good day, Dowager Countess.” The woman is simply addressed as a “Lady So-and-So.” … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, language choices, Living in the Regency, Regency era, titles of aristocracy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Should Writers Make These Distinctions?

Posted on November 15, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

There are many words in the English language which are routinely interchanged. Whether one accepts these “switches” depends upon whether the person is a semanticist or a grammarian. Semanticists normally are concerned with the word’s meaning, while the grammarian deals … Continue reading →

Posted in editing, language choices, word play, writing | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Writers Require Precision in Language Choices

Posted on November 13, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

From the MasterClass Articles we learn that “Diction is the careful selection of words to communicate a message or establish a particular voice or writing style. For example, flowy, figurative language creates colorful prose, while a more formal vocabulary with concise and direct … Continue reading →

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Veterans Day and the Great John Philip Sousa

Posted on November 11, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

Today, we have a celebration of Veterans’ Day, a day originally called Armistice Day. The Department of Veterans Affairs Website tells us, “In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following … Continue reading →

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The Do’s and Don’t’s of Writing of a Peer’s Time in the Houses of Parliament

Posted on November 6, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

When writing British Regencies and other historicals set in the 1700s and 1800s, one must know something of inheritance laws, as well as how Parliament operated during those times. Below, you will find a mishmash of facts I have learned, … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, aristocracy, British history, buildings and structures, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, peerage, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Do’s and Don’t’s of Writing of a Peer’s Time in the Houses of Parliament