Sunday, March 30, 2014
The Tailor of Gloucester
The Tale of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter has more than a few words that this 21st century Californian needs help pronouncing and understanding. Here are the words I looked up:
Gloucester - pronounced GLAW-ster.
periwig - a highly-styled wig worn by men and women. Marie Antoinette wore periwigs.
lappets - the two decorative flaps that hung from women's headcoverings.
pompadour - a type of cotton or silk fabric. It is white with a design of small pink, blue, or gold flowers.
worsted - a type of cloth or yarn made from wool, so I assume worsted chenille means wool chenille
When I looked up "corded silk," I came across grosgrain, which was a popular fabric for garments in the 17th century. As a little girl, my mother put grosgrain ribbons in my hair. These are the ribbons with ribs, as opposed to ribbons with a smooth texture.
Again, wainscots is wayne's-cots, not wayne's-coats.
groat - a silver English coin (it wasn't worth much)
penn'orth - a penny's worth
thread-paper - thread was wrapped around folded paper, instead of spools
twist - thread, a strong twisted sewing silk
pipkin - an earthenware cooking pot
tippet - a long narrow piece of cloth, a scarf
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