Category Archives: language choices

Origin of the Phrase “Ins and Outs” + the Upcoming Release of “Lady Christiana and the Colonel,” Arriving 18 November 2026

Posted on October 23, 2026 by Regina Jeffers

The phrase “ins and outs” dates back to the mid-17th century. It originally alluded to the twisting and turning paths of a winding road, before evolving to describe politicians who are either holding office (in) or out of power. [Dictionary.com] … Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, book release, books, British history, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, hero, heroines, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, language choices, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, Regency era, Regency romance, research, word choices, word play, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Did Men’s Trousers in the Regency Era Have a Waistband? + the Upcoming Release of “Lady Christiana and the Colonel,” Arriving 18 November 2026

Posted on October 21, 2026 by Regina Jeffers

I know this is probably a crazy idea for a post, but before I wrote the scene I needed to know if men’s trousers in the Regency era had a waistband. So here goes… Yes, men’s trousers in 1813 did … Continue reading →

Posted in aristocracy, book release, customs and tradiitons, Georgian England, hero, heroines, historical fiction, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, reading, Regency era, Regency romance, research, word choices, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cattails, Great Reedmace, Bulrush – What are the Differences? + the Upcoming Release of “Lady Christiana and the Colonel,” Arriving 18 November 2026

Posted on October 19, 2026 by Regina Jeffers

In the story, Darcy’s men find a body floating in a lake on Pemberley estate. The men must determine WHO the man is? What happened to him? When it happened? Where? How? and Why? When I was writing the scene, … Continue reading →

Posted in book release, books, eBooks, Georgian England, Georgian Era, hero, heroines, historical fiction, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research, science, suspense, word choices, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Question from a Reader: Is “Debutant” the Correct Word for a Girl Making Her Society “Debut” in the Regency Era?

Posted on June 29, 2026 by Regina Jeffers

Okay, to the best of my knowledge the term “debutant” was later than the Regency Era. The word “debutante” is of later vintage than the Regency. She would be referred to as “coming out”, per Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, where … Continue reading →

Posted in aristocracy, British history, customs and tradiitons, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, historical fiction, history, Living in the Regency, reading, Regency era, Regency romance, research, terminology, tradtions, Victorian era, word choices | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Question from a Reader: Is “Debutant” the Correct Word for a Girl Making Her Society “Debut” in the Regency Era?

An Estate By Any Other Name Would Suit Me Fine

Posted on December 19, 2025 by Regina Jeffers

When I write my novels, I keep a “History of …” document that lists the character names with a brief description, a running calendar for the year in which the story is set, including important events from the story itself, … Continue reading →

Posted in Always Austen, Anglo-Normans, Anglo-Saxons, aristocracy, British history, Church of England, estates, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, historical fiction, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, real life tales, Regency era, research, word choices, word origins | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on An Estate By Any Other Name Would Suit Me Fine

Meaning of “Bedlamite” + the Upcoming Release of Lyon in Disguise from Dragonblade Publishing (Arriving 17 December 2025)

Posted on November 3, 2025 by Regina Jeffers

Short Teaser from the latter part of Lyon in Disguise where “belamite” is used. “Your wife has moved quite easily into the role of society wife,” Aaran said from somewhere off Navan’s shoulders.  “I do not think Annalise is quite … Continue reading →

Posted in aristocracy, book release, British Navy, Dragonblade Publishers, eBooks, etymology, Georgian England, Georgian Era, hero, historical fiction, history, language choices, mystery, Regency romance, research, suspense, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Meaning of “Bedlamite” + the Upcoming Release of Lyon in Disguise from Dragonblade Publishing (Arriving 17 December 2025)

Beds? Valances? Dust Skirts? Georgian Bedrooms + the Upcoming Release of “Lyon in the Way” from Dragonblade Publishers

Posted on June 4, 2025 by Regina Jeffers

I confess. I knew little to nothing about a Georgian bedroom. I had seen the ones shown at Williamsburg, Virginia, but that is more to show visitors to the estate something of life in America in that time period, not … Continue reading →

Posted in blog hop, book excerpts, book release, British Navy, customs and tradiitons, Dragonblade Publishers, eBooks, Georgian, Georgian England, Georgian Era, heroines, historical fiction, history, language choices, mystery, publishing, reading habits, Regency era, Regency romance, research, terminology, word choices, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Beds? Valances? Dust Skirts? Georgian Bedrooms + the Upcoming Release of “Lyon in the Way” from Dragonblade Publishers

Falling into Easy Writing Traps: Do You Know These Rules?

Posted on March 3, 2025 by Regina Jeffers

 (image via 4 Common Academic Writing Mistakes and How to Fix Them from http://www.noodle.com) Falling Into Easy Writing Traps… 1.  The word “hold” is confusing to some. Essentially a person can hold a baby, a spoon, a smart phone, etc., … Continue reading →

Posted in books, editing, Industry News/Publishing, language choices, manuscript evaluation, publishing, vocabulary, word play, writing | 8 Comments

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