Some Regency Phrases

Greetings, everyone. Apologies for having been quiet lately, but this is why:

In her famous novels, Georgette Heyer employed many cant and lower class expressions, as used by gentlemen of the time. These were culled from the speech of pugilists, coachmen, ostlers, grooms and the racing fraternity. The Regency journalist, Pierce Egan, a fine exponent of sporting cant, was one of Georgette Heyer’s principal sources through the medium of his book Life In London.

Horses

·        A screw – a very poor quality horse.

·        A sweet goer – a horse which is responsive to the rider, with a light mouth and smooth way of going.

·        Beautiful stepper – a quality horse which moves with a smooth, fluent action.

·        Blood cattle – horses with good breeding. Generally Thoroughbred.

·        Bone-setter – a commoner or horse of poor quality/action.

·        Cattle – horses.

·        Feeling his oats – feeling frisky, full of energy.

·        High-stepper – horse with a showy action which looks ‘flashy’ but is usually uncomfortable and inefficient.

·        Prime bits of blood and bone – best quality horses.

·        Short-stepper – short-striding horse or pony for fast travelling in harness; can jolt the carriage, giving an uncomfortable ride.

 Equestrianism

·        Bottom – a horse is described as having this when he has courage and stamina.

·        Drives to an inch – skilful driver who is very accurate.

·        Fettling the prads – grooming, tidying or making ready the horses.

·        Hunt the squirrel – the dubious pastime of following close behind a carriage, then shaving the wheel on the way past. Many a victim’s carriage was overturned by this dangerous practice.

·        Kick over the traces – when a horse gets its’ leg over the traces (part of harness) it can kick with more freedom.

·        Likely to throw out a splint – prone to going lame from injury (strain or knock) to the splint bone, a slender bone in the foreleg which runs alongside the main cannon bone.

·        Neck-or-nothing – from the hunting field, meaning someone who will brave any fence, or take on any challenge. A rider, male or female, who is daring and bold.

·        Spring ’em – to set the horses quickly into their collars and into a gallop.

·        [The lady] will give you as good a run as Reynard – the lady will be as brave and wily as a fox on the hunting field.

·        Throw one’s heart over a fence – to ride with commitment to a fence so the horse will jump.

·        To part company – to fall off the horse.

This is just one section in my new book on the horse for authors, readers and horse lovers alike - the perfect Christmas gift!

The Horse: An Historical Author’s And Reader’s Guide is mainly aimed at those interested in the Georgian/Regency era, although it covers a wider historical period, including the development of various equine breeds and short histories of equestrianism, racing and racecourses already in existence. It is a fascinating journey through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, packed with information vital to the historical author and of interest to any reader with a passion for horses. Bowling along the major routes, past picturesque coaching inns, we visit racecourses and other places of pleasure whilst meeting a rogue or two along the way.

Volume I will give the reader an insight into the way horses were treated, regarded and worked, their care – including ailments and methods of treatment when ill – and essential terminology. 

The Horse: An Historical Author's and Reader's Guide is available in Kindle now and the paperback will be available soon.

                                   Amazon UK                                       Amazon US

It really throws me out of a book when the horse stuff is wrong, so I hope those historical authors who don't know their forelock from their fetlock will find it useful!

All the best,

Heather