wondering about dialect and slang

HoosierCowgirl · Jul 26, 2007

Hello, friends,
I guess I'm having a senior moment ... I'm working on something set in the 1860s and am wracking my brain trying to think of the right word.

In my modern mind, I'd say "You are so busted ..." but can't think of a good synonym for busted, as in someone who's now going to face charges. Pinched? Collared?

Any input appreciated ...

Ann

dpaterso · Jul 27, 2007

Reckon you bin caught with yor finger in the pie, mister! Might as well 'fess up! Judge might go easier on ya!

Sorry.

red-handed?

-Derek

seven41 · Jul 28, 2007

From THE WRITER'S GUIDE TO EVERYDAY LIFE IN THE 1800's, the three terms commonly used were pinched, pulled, or tumbled. Once pinched they were taken to the calaboose or, if they were to be questioned, put in the sweat box.

You might also check Writer's Dreamtools.com. It gives slang and events by decade.

HoosierCowgirl · Jul 29, 2007

Thanks, Seven ... the bad guy's going to either get lynched, "pinched" or time-travel out of the 1800s into the arms of the SWAT team.

Vanatru · Jul 30, 2007

That or using a variation on a modern saying:

"Son, you done right pissed me off, I'm gonna have to open a saddlebag of whoop ass on ya."

seven41 · Jul 30, 2007

"Son, you done right pissed me off, I'm gonna have to open a saddlebag of whoop ass on ya."

Use that and you'll lose your western readers in a hurry. We didn't even use that kind of language in the 1940's and 50's. More likely, the good guy or lawman would say, "Now you boys just come along peaceful like and nobody's gonna git hurt."

Festus · Jul 30, 2007

Seven is right, both in perception and suggested words of a law officer, rarely did 'mouthy language' need to be utilized by the officer. One thing, they knew most everybody in the area, the other thing is that they didn't want to give a reason for the caught crook to cause trouble.

They'd likely, as seven suggested, be brief in their comments.

HoosierCowgirl · Jul 31, 2007

I did look up some Apalachian slang on another website but it didn't have much about arrest or jail.

I was surprised how many of those terms are still in my dad's and other elders' vocabulary.

Thanks, everybody.

Ann

Vanatru · Aug 1, 2007

My bad. I should have included the "ha ha" and a smiley at the end. Of course, it's rare that I crack jokes here so I can see how it would be taken as being all serious like and all.

seven41 · Aug 1, 2007

No offense taken. It's just us se'rus writers from Texas get literal.

JeanneTGC · Aug 3, 2007

Vanatru said:
My bad. I should have included the "ha ha" and a smiley at the end. Of course, it's rare that I crack jokes here so I can see how it would be taken as being all serious like and all.

Van, you can be serious? Really? I mean, really and truly?

I'm shocked. I never would've guessed.

If it'd been a snake it would've bit me, I guess.

HoosierCowgirl · Aug 4, 2007

I'm sure-nuff in the wrong place if humor is allowed!

wondering about dialect and slang

HoosierCowgirl

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

seven41

HoosierCowgirl

Vanatru

practical experience, FTW

seven41

Festus

No limits to imagination

HoosierCowgirl

Vanatru

practical experience, FTW

seven41

JeanneTGC

I am Catwoman...and Gini Koch

HoosierCowgirl

wondering about dialect and slang

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

practical experience, FTW

No limits to imagination

practical experience, FTW

I *am* Catwoman...and Gini Koch

I am Catwoman...and Gini Koch