Dangerous, even deadly: Teething in Jane Austen’s World
!8th century French physician Jean Baumes (1783) wrote “All experience teaches that dentition is to be dreaded.” Why the dread?
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A Little Colorful Language: All about Children
One of the things that fascinates me most about slang is its very changeable nature. Words can change meaning at the drop of a hat. New words come into lay and may be gone in an instant, or they may stay around for a very long time. I found some very familiar terms in this offering of Regency era language pertaining to children. Infants Bantling Brat Chit Lullaby Cheat Boys Young shaver Kid Little Breeches Girls … Continue reading →
Mistress of the manor: Lady of leisure or Full time working mom?
What did Jane Austen’s ladies do all day? Were they ladies of leisure or full time working women? Period dramas have left many of us with the notion that ladies of the landed gentry in the Regency era had little to do but dress in lovely gowns, embroider and gossip. Reality could not be farther from this image. In general, both master and mistress of the manor did a great deal of work around the estate, … Continue reading →