Intensifiers/Expletives
I find when I write my first draft my heroes and heroines all have explanations that are similar… usually ones that I say often, smiles… By the time I finish writing a story I know my heroes and heroines so much better and they have developed their own individuality. I can then give them individual sayings that fit them well.
I have to admit though, finding intensifiers that fit historically can be fun. Besides the known ones of the time period, some listed below, I have the most fun with my heroines. Some of them have made up their own like “Oh poppydust!” and such. Having them use them and get all flustered is fun and well finding ones to use during the act can be an experience!
Some known Intensifiers around during the Regency are: (Of course there are many more)
Oh Monstrous!
Lud!
I dare say!
Phoo!
My Stars!
Take that!
Tally Ho!
That’s the dandy!
What the Devil!
What the Duce!
Zooks!
Egad!
Dash it!
Alas!
Balderdash!
Bloody!
Blow my dickey!
Dang my buttons!
Damn!
Fudge!
Good Gracious! (but not Goodness Gracious)
Hang! As in I’ll be hanged if it is not true!
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Huge Grin. Even reading some of them puts a smile on my face.
What are some of your favorite Expletives/Intensifiers?
Kisses,
Lacy.
6 comments:
Oh, how useful!
Where did the list come from? Is there a resource? I've been after a book of Regency expletives for ages!
Very untrue to the period, but I like to have my heroines and their female relatives give out with a good bloody, or even better, bloody, sodding once in a while.
Regarding "bloody" - I know that the Grose's Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue has it listed as an expletive. Although perhaps not by ladies!! And no sodding though!
yes, well sodding is no doubt anachronistic (for Sodomizing, don't you know)... The OED approaches it very gently, but doesn't have it until 1922. Oh well...
I've always understood that 'bloody' was thought to be a very severe form of language because it referred to the crucifixion.
I like medieval expletives too, like God's socks! (I made that one up).
Laughing, Jane. LOVE that!
Erastes: My list comes from a variety of sources, but one of my favorites to pull from is the Thesaurus of Regency Slang and Idiomatic Phrases.
Pam, I too use Bloody on occasion even thought it was considered severe. There is just something about my hero saying “Bloody!” that sounds right.
Hope you all have wonderful plans for the 4th. My plans fell through so I am not sure yet what I will do.
Hugs,
Lacy.
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