Yes, I'd like to see a proper update, too. The wikipedia entry, which is all I've read, claims that while very few people today still eg. looking-glass, the majority of differences are still useful as curent social markers. I'd like to see research/proof of that - your theory about shifts over time always sounded more likely to me. Actually, if anything, I might guess that the aristocracy on the whole, being relatively small, inbreeding, and secure in social position (generalisations, of course) might retain the same word use as generations ago, but that the general mass of non-aristocracy would see considerable change - and probably with more Americanisms creeping in to, to bring another thread in.
I have to consciously tell myself that this is, in fact, right in America (and, in some cases, was considered right over here four hundred years ago, too.) I suppose 'gotten' is the prime example there.
If I could draw, one day I would get round to doing some pages from my imaginary UK-US picture dictionary, including such pictures as what a Brit would visualise for a man going out wearing vest and suspenders, and for balance, what an American would visualise for a man going out wearing a jumper. Hmmn, I might have to have a go at those anyway.
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Date: 2008-01-22 05:03 pm (UTC)I have to consciously tell myself that this is, in fact, right in America (and, in some cases, was considered right over here four hundred years ago, too.) I suppose 'gotten' is the prime example there.
If I could draw, one day I would get round to doing some pages from my imaginary UK-US picture dictionary, including such pictures as what a Brit would visualise for a man going out wearing vest and suspenders, and for balance, what an American would visualise for a man going out wearing a jumper. Hmmn, I might have to have a go at those anyway.