Tag Archives: word choice

Words that “Snarl” and Words that “Purr”

Posted on November 28, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

My undergraduate degree was a comprehensive major (no minor) that covered English, speech, journalism, and theatre. As such, many years ago, I came across these terms: snarl-words and purr-words in a book on rhetoric that was one of my textbooks. … Continue reading →

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Pride and Prejudice and Nuance, a Guest Post from Leila Eye

Posted on December 4, 2020 by Regina Jeffers

Whenever you start to become a fan of something, that’s when you tend to pay attention to the nuances and all of the details involved. You start placing more importance on what makes something different rather than just what you … Continue reading →

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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

Deamed (or) Deemed (or) Damned (or) Dammed? To Curse or Not to Curse…

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Regina Jeffers

Periodically in a story set in the Regency era, the occasion arises where a curse word would be appropriate for a character. However, how to use that word and who might utter it remains a decision most authors of the … Continue reading →

Posted in editing, Georgian England, historical fiction, Living in the Regency, Regency era, word origins, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 6 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

Author’s Voice

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Years ago, when I was still beating my head against the wall while teaching English in the public classrooms of three different states, I attempted repeatedly to explain “author voice” to my students. I encouraged my students to write with … Continue reading →

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Colorful, Colored, and Colorless Words: Fixing Writing Errors

Posted on July 21, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Do you recall the dreaded 500-words’ essay often assigned by English teachers? Do you also recall the sinking feeling of coming up with 500 words on a subject for which you held no opinion? Do you also recall writing something … Continue reading →

Posted in eBooks, editing, language choices, publishing, word choices, word play, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Are You Familiar with These Phrases and Words?

Posted on July 14, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Today we will look at phrases/words we have inherited from England. Go to the Dickens! (or) What the Dickens! Believe it or not, neither phrase has anything to do with the Victorian novelist, Charles Dickens. Actually, “dickens” comes to us … Continue reading →

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Do You Know The Origin of These Words and Phrases?

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Three Sheets to the Wind – Urban Dictionary defines this phrase to mean “to be explicitly drunk; inebriated.” The origin is likely found in practicality: Sheets actually refer to the ropes that are used to secure a ship’s sail. If the … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Chaucer, Canterbury tales, etymology, history, Jane Austen, real life tales, tall tales, word origins, word play, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Do You Speak Jane Austen? Part Three

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

The last third of the alphabet was a bit of a challenge. The letters “x” and “z” were less than cooperative. I searched Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Mansfield Park for the letters, but was, generally, unsuccessful. “X” … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Regency era | Tagged , , | 10 Comments