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Foreign Phrases and Cant Unlike many of Georgette Heyer's other novels, The Quiet Gentleman contains relatively few carelessly dropped foreign phrases. The one exception is St. Erth's groom, Sam Chard, "late of the 7th Hussars" who has picked up a smattering of Portuguese and Spanish during his time on the Pennisula with St. Erth. Two other minor characters, Sir Thomas and Mr. Leek, contribute some of the more colourful language in the book. Although it isn't exactly foreign, some of Mr. Leek's phrases take a bit of deciphering! v v v v v First, the foreign: Abrigado - gracious, pleasant. Bastante - Enough! Bien dispuesto - in accord, in harmony Escaramuza - (military) a minor skirmish. An argument of no importance Robusto - strong, hearty v v v v v Now the cant: Bubble Merchant - someone who deals in insubstantial goods, of no value or chance of success Calf love - a young man's first love, of no consequence or maturity. Cocking - the bloody sport of cockfighting. Corked - Wine is said to be "corked" when the bottle seal has not been airtight, and the wine has reacted with the cork and tastes "off." Crack - as in "all the crack." Very trendy or fashionable. Drab - a woman of low repute, a cheap slut (it appears in the Witches' Song, in Macbeth). Execution - to have an execution in the house meant that a writ of bankruptcy had been served, and the debtee's property was being seized in payment of his debts. Express letter - a message sent by a private messenger, very expensive. Flummery - showiness Gazetted fortune hunter - bankruptcies were published in the Gazette, newsheets that contained public information like goverment appointments and promotions, public notices, etc. To be a gazetted fortune hunter meant that you were a bankrupt young man in search of an heiress to redeem your fortune. Greenhorn - a young man of no experience, a simpleton, a raw recruit. Jeremy Diddler - a creditor To land in the basket - to find oneself short of money, or bankrupt. Muzzler - pugilist's slang for a blow to the mouth. Old Tom - gin. Quiz - to look a quiz was to look a fright. To roast - to tease. To swallow a spider - to go bankrupt Tulip - as in "a Tulip of Fashion." A showy, or ostentatious person, generally in terms of dress. Under the hatches - as in a boat sinking. To be mired in debt.
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