In April, I’m posting 26 blogs, one for every letter of the alphabet. I write historical romance set in Regency England, and I’m offering a brief lexicon of words to help you understand the story world of my Regency characters. Follow the links for more in depth information.

O is for On-dit:

Since 1066 and the Battle of Hastings, most English aristocrats had at least a smattering of French. Thus, French expressions, like on-dit, entered into common usage.

An on-dit is a juicy piece of gossip.

These two paintings are later than the Regency period, but they illustrate the exchange of on-dits.

And O is for On the Shelf:

Young ladies had only so many years on display in the marriage mart. If they failed to attract a husband, they were said to be “on the shelf”.

Jane Austen, who never married, was one of these ladies. The older the woman, the less likely she was to produce children, and thus the less desirable she was. The expression really reflects the nature of marriage and the status of women at the time.

Questions? Comments? Visit tomorrow for the letter P!

Images: badge, a-to-zchallenge.com; all others, Wikimedia