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Civil War Interactive Discussion Board > Civil War Talk > General Civil War Talk > I have a question |
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Civil War Interactive Discussion Board > Civil War Talk > General Civil War Talk > I have a question |
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| I have a question | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30th, 2008 08:02 pm |
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1st Post |
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andrch02 Member
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I am in a stage reading of a musical about the life of Helen Keller (note: it's not at all related to "The Miracle Worker"). In it I play Captain Keller. The playwright is still wrighting the play and is giving us pages as she goes. However I have a question about the language of the time, which Captain Keller would obviously still be using a few decades later. The word "Lordy" I know is now quite common in southern speech (the playwright is southern). However would someone of Captain Keller's status use the term? The reason it stands out to me is I recall the scene in Gone with the Wind where Prissy yells "Lordy Miss Scarlet I don't know nuthin' about takin' care of a baby" and the other times when black characters use it in the movie. I watched the movie recently and I don't recall a white character using the word at all. So my question is: Was the word "Lordy" a southern black colloquial term at the time period of and immediately after the Civil War? And if it was, when did it become more mainstream in the language? Any help would be greatly appreciated! ~andrch02
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31st, 2008 03:40 pm |
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2nd Post |
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David White Member 
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Can't say I know the answer but I bet some of these books lsited at this link might help: http://book-smith.tripod.com/civ-war-language.html You might find these at a local library. One is actually on line here, but you have to be a member to see the whole thing, not sure if it costs or not: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=102001629
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| Posted: Thu Jan 31st, 2008 07:30 pm |
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3rd Post |
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ole Member 
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Was the word "Lordy" a southern black colloquial term at the time period of and immediately after the Civil War? And if it was, when did it become more mainstream in the language? Suspect that it was. And not something the refined would say. Will have to find that book on language and get back to you. Did it become mainstream? ole
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| Posted: Fri Feb 1st, 2008 01:03 am |
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4th Post |
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andrch02 Member
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David: Thanks, I'll get right on that! ole: Yes it did become mainstream apparently, because the author (who is white) says she quite clearly remembers her dead Uncle using it. Thanks to you both for helping! ~andrch02
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| Posted: Fri Feb 1st, 2008 02:12 am |
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5th Post |
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Dixie Girl Southern Belle 
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i guess it just something that people adopt over time just like everything else. it probably was a all black word for a while but some where down the line a few white people started using it to.
____________________ War Means Fighting And Fighting Means Killing - N. B. Forrest When war does come, my advice is to draw the sword and throw away the scabbard." Stonewall Jackson |
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| Posted: Fri Feb 1st, 2008 03:40 am |
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7th Post |
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ole Member
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I've never actually heard the word. I've seen it written, but no one has ever said it in my presence. But then, I've not met many people who might be expected to use it. Still determined to find that book. I think it's in the living room. ole
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| Posted: Fri Feb 1st, 2008 04:12 pm |
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8th Post |
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Johan Steele Life NRA,SUVCW # 48,Legion 352 
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"Lordy" was not a black only word but one usually attributed to the less educated in place of the longer term: "Good Lord!". It was not an uncommon term in the 1860's. I remember it from my slang dictionary... which for the life of me I can't find. Curse you house elves! Last edited on Fri Feb 1st, 2008 07:45 pm by Johan Steele |
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| Posted: Fri Feb 1st, 2008 04:46 pm |
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9th Post |
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javal1 Grumpy Geezer 
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My Slang dictionary says: Lordy Me (also Lordy): a mild oath or exclamation [colloquial, 1800's to present]. Since this dictionary usually specifies when something is associated with African-American dialect or slang,it makes me think Johan is probably correct.
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