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I working on writing some dialogue that will begin in the 1840's. Short of condensing everything Grant and Martha have learned over the years into one volume, can anyone suggest a good reference source? For example, if Harry dresses so hurriedly he neglects to put on.... OK, what didn't he put on? Not underwear, that word didn't come into use until later. I suppose undergarments might be proper, but perhaps too proper for casual conversation even in that day. He wouldn't have said he "went commando". For that matter, when did men start wearing garments under their trousers? But don't get stuck below the waist. I want everything.
I would like a tome I can leave through and find information like, "What we call a passlewickter was referred to as jabterzonker from its invention in 1659 until Jeramiah Passlewickter so improved the item in 1948 that the thing and his name became synonymous. Today no one has ever heard of the once popular jabterzonker", but in the 1700's every household had at least one."
Except of course, I want REAL information, not goobledegook I just made up. What did they used to call common everyday things? When did what we call them change? Yes, we may be talking an entire library, but where do I start? There must be a reference book called, "What It Was Called Back Then".
Any suggestions?
EmmettRedd is probably right that there are some old, out of print dictionaries, or maybe school primers, from that era in the public domain and available on GoogleBooks. If such reference material is not available, however, you'll need to do more research. And, in that regard, you're probably fortunate. There are very few (relative to modern times, anyway) works of fiction written in the 1840s or earlier, particularly in the U.S. If I had to recommend one oeuvre, though, I would suggest you read a little James Fenimore Cooper, who is probably the first great American novelist. His works are short on dialogue compared to most modern fiction, but you might find some solid period language there.
Otherwise -- and I don't mean to sound like an ass here -- you might want to reconsider using period language from 170 years ago. Can your story be told in 90s Peoria?
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
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