By Tarli Cameron | May 5, 2022 | Word Geek
The second season of Netflix’s popular ostentatious period show, Bridgerton, dropped last month, delighting its 60 million fans who binged on season one.
As a lover of period dramas, TLF’s Word Geek was quick to tune in to get a fix of the novel-inspired romance series complete with puffed sleeve dresses, scandalous twists and most of all, Regency-era language.
Here are Word Geek’s five favourite Regency-era phrases which will have you talking like a Bridgerton cast member.
Rake
Not to be confused with a tool you use in the garden to clear your lawn, a rake describes someone thought to be a loveable scoundrel. Usually used to describe a male, a rake is what we might nowadays call a bad boy or a player.
Coming out
Unlike its modern meaning, coming out refers to the moment a lady enters the marriage market. Other lingo used to describe the same thing included being out or debuting.
The ton
The ton refers to the high society of the Regency-era and originates from the French le bon ton translating to good manners and etiquette.
Modiste
A modiste describes a person who sells or makes fashionable hats and dresses.
High in the instep
At some point, we’ve met someone who is too big for their boots or full of themselves. In the Regency-era, a person who was arrogant was referred to as high in the instep.
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