Category Archives: word play

Author’s “Voice” ~ What is It?

Posted on April 29, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

Writers often hear another author warn them about losing their “voice.” But what exactly is “voice”? In reality, there are so many theories on this question that I could be here for years debating them all. I am of the … Continue reading →

Posted in editing, literature, publishing, reading, word origins, word play, writing | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Doublespeak: Favorite Euphemisms or How I Learned Something of “Poppycock”

Posted on January 17, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

Euphemisms? We learn them in the most peculiar ways. I recall as a child that my mother was very upset with me when I used the word “poppycock.” You see, I thought myself quite sophisticated to learn a new word … Continue reading →

Posted in euphemisms, word origins, word play, writing | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Early History of the Oxford English Dictionary

Posted on September 20, 2021 by Regina Jeffers

Several times per week, I am looking at the OED (Oxford English Dictionary) for word origins or synonyms or a variety of other searches. Yet, until recently, I had not thought much about this fabulous resource’s beginnings. It took from … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, word origins, word play | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Early History of the Oxford English Dictionary

Fitzwilliam Darcy, Esq. (Esquire). . . Correct or Not?

Posted on November 4, 2020 by Regina Jeffers

According to etymonline.com, the work “Esquire” is a noun. It came to use “in the late 14C., from Middle French esquier “squire,” literally “shield-bearer” (for a knight), from Old French escuier “shield-bearer (attendant young man in training to be a knight), groom” (Modern French écuyer), … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, Regency era, titles of aristocracy, word play | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Misuse of Words Driving Me Crazy!

Posted on June 10, 2020 by Regina Jeffers

Of late, the news media has been driving me a bit batty with the various reporters misusing words either in their oral reporting or the blips crossing our screens. Do you, too, have a pet peeve when it comes to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, word play, writing | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

The Craft of Reading, a Guest Post from Leenie Brown

Posted on June 24, 2019 by Regina Jeffers

This post originally appeared on Austen Authors on May 7, 2019. I loved it so much, I thought I would share it with you here.  As an author and passionate lover of writing and storytelling, I often spend time studying … Continue reading →

Posted in Austen Authors, book excerpts, books, Guest Post, reading, reading habits, Vagary, word play, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

George Wickham: How Jane Austen Masterfully Uses a Minor Character to Drive the Main Plot

Posted on April 22, 2019 by Regina Jeffers

How a Minor Character Controls the Story’s Action: Jane Austen’s Use of George Wickham On Monday, I interviewed our favorite Austen bad boy, Mr. George Wickham. Actually, I held a celebrity intervention, but as an afterthought to that momentous event, … Continue reading →

Posted in Great Britain, Jane Austen, language choices, Living in the Regency, Regency era, word play, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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

Posted on March 23, 2018 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

Do You Know These Words and Phrases?

Posted on May 25, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

Go Through Fire and Water ~ English for Students tells us, “Go through fire and water means to face any peril. This phrase originally referred to the medieval practice of trial by ordeal which could take the form of making an accused … Continue reading →

Posted in etymology, word origins, word play | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Do You Know These Words and Phrases?

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

 Jumping the Broom/Broomstick – This is a ceremony dating back to the 1600s and derived from Africa. Dating back to slave days, jumping the broom together has been part of weddings for couples who want to honor that tradition. It also … Continue reading →

Posted in etymology, word origins, word play | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Do You Know These Words and Phrases?