I am reading a short story by R. Middleton and I failed to find out what the Jubilee phrases refer to (the story takes place in 1897, and was written around this year as well): Ninety-seven was Jubilee year, the year of the second Jubilee, you remember, and we had great doings at Fairfield, so … Read more
So the book is partly written in archaic English, the dialogs mainly. While it is by the most part understandable in context, there are some parts still unclear for me, for example: ”That doth remind me of the races but yesterday," called out another listener. What’s the meaning of the word ‘but’ in this context? … Read more
I read a sentence in “The Tempest” which was: Lead, monster; we’ll follow. I would I could see this taborer. He lays it on. And it is translated to: Lead on, monster. We’ll follow. I wish I could see this drummer. He’s very good. But I couldn’t find anywhere the idiom being used to mean … Read more
This is a quote from “The Tempest” by Stephano: He’s in his fit now and does not talk after the wisest. What does “after the wisest” mean in this context? According to most of the sources of translation, the sentence means He’s having a fit, and saying things that don’t make sense. Answer This use … Read more
This excerpt come from Landmarks of English Literature by H. J. Nicoll: It is not to the credit of England that the only full survey of its literature possessing any high merit from a purely literary point of view should be the work of a Frenchman. We have among us not a few writers, any … Read more
Are “year” and “city” optional in the following? John returned to London in 2010, in which (year) he married Joanne. John returned to London, in which (city) he married Joanne. I’d appreciate your help. Answer In the first, “in which” should not be used because it isn’t clear which noun – ‘London’ or ‘2010’ – … Read more
But we awaited thee every morning, took from thee thine overflow and blessed thee for it. Found this in Thomas Common’s 1909 translation of Friedrich Nietzche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra and I was wondering what thee thine meant. Thee means “you (object)” and thine means “your”, so we get took from you your overflow, which hardly … Read more
I have come across it in Crash Course World History. It is at 5 minute and 39 second. Here it goes: The thinking was that if humans did their jobs, then the pantheon of gods would maintain cosmic order, and since the pharaohs became gods upon their death, it made sense to please them even … Read more
Whenever men notice some similarity between two things, they are wont to ascribe to each, even in those respects in which the two differ, what they have found to be true of the other. My Attempt Definition of “Wont”: (of a person) in the habit of doing something; accustomed. Definition of “Ascribe”:regard something as being … Read more
From Genesis 34:12 – Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife. (KJV) Make the price for the bride and the gift I am to bring as great as you like, and I’ll pay whatever you ask … Read more
