Tag Archives: word choice

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 →

Posted in word origins, word play | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

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

Do You Speak Jane Austen? Part One

Posted on December 8, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

I have run this series previously, but it never hurts to revisit a “good thing.” Part I: Do You Speak Jane Austen? When my son was about three years of age, he shocked several onlookers at the mall by saying, … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Regency era | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

From Where Does That Phrase Come?

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Recently, I was checking the source of several key phrases within my current WIP (Work in Progress), a cozy mystery, checking to discover whether the word/phrase would have been used in Regency England. Below, are some of those I researched. … Continue reading →

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

Pride 47 – Prejudice 5

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Pride and Prejudice was originally entitled First Impressions, which is a much better title when one considers how Jane Austen bombards her readers with the theme of “impressions”: first, flawed, and founded. However, that is material for a future post. … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, editing, Industry News/Publishing, Jane Austen, language choices, Regency era | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Mars vs. Venus – Which Point of View is Best?

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

When I write a Pride and Prejudice sequel/adaptation, I do so from Darcy’s point of view, rather than from Elizabeth’s. When I speak of Austen’s Persuasion, I speak of Wentworth’s thoughts. When I am writing of the Realm, I do … Continue reading →

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