The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-10-24
DAD Changes of Meaning.

originally, and is now in some parts
of England, used as II term of the soft
est and fondest tenderness. This IS not
the only instance in which words in
their present general acceptation bear
a very opposite meaning to what they
did in Shakespeare's time. The word
wench formerly was not used in the low
and vulgar acceptation that it is at pres
ent. Damsel was the appellation of
young ladies of quality, and dame tt
tie of distinction. Knave once signi-
fled servant; and in an early transla-
ton of the New Testament, instead of
Paul, the servant" we read Paul, the
knave." "Varlet' was formerly used
in the same sense as valet. William for
merly meant bondman. In feudal
law, according to Blackstone, the term
was applied to those who held lands
and tenements in villenage "A tenure by
base services. Pedant formerly meant
a school master. Shakespeare says in
his "Twelfth Night"
"A pedant that keeps school in the church.
Bacon, in his pathway unto Pray
err" thus uses the word imp: LET us
pray for the preservation of the Kings
most excellent Majesty, and for the
prosperous success of his entirely be-
loved son Edward our Prince, that most
angelic imp"
1t is somewhat noticeable fact that
the changes in the Specification of words
have generally been to their deteriora-
ton; that is, words that hitherto mad
no sinister meaning have acquired it.
The word cunning, for example, for
merly meant nothing sinister or under
handed and in Thropes confession in
"FoX's Book of Martyrs" is the SEN
tence, Il believe that all these three
persons lin the Godhead) are even in
power, and in cunning and in might,
full of grace and all goodness. De
mure is another of this class. 1t was
used by earlier writer's without the in
situation which is now almost latent in
it that the external shows of modesty
and sohricty rest on no corresponding
relatives. Explode formerly meant to
drive off the stage with loud clippings
of the hands, but gradually became eX-
aGgeratcd into its present signifi 'ation.
Facciious, too, originally meant IT
baue. but now has 50 degcrcratcd as to
have acquired the sense OF buflooncry;
and Mr.. Trench secs indication, thltIt
will ere long acquire the sense of i@ta-
cen. buhooucrv.
IHpUe| now means trumpcry and
odds and ends Of cheap iucry; bJt
oste it meant old clothes Y value. and
not worthless Us the .rm at present i'm
plies. The word gossip formerly moaut
only sponsor in baptism. Sponsors
were supposed 10 hctomc arquautcdat
the bIuu>mal font. and 10y their spOn-
serial act to establish an indefinite al
tiuity oWirds each other ard til" child.
Thus the word WAS applied to all who
were familiar and intimate. and finally
obtained the meaning which Is now pre-
dominant IN it,
Humely once meant secret and famil-
lar, though in the time of Milton it had
acquired the same sense as al present
Incense once meant TO kinlle not only
anger, but good passion rs we'll; Fuller
uses II in the sense OF ito iucitc.' In
dOlcnce orgionally signiiied freedom
from passion or pain, but now implies
condition of languid non cXertion.
'"Insolent' was only usual
Obsequious implies rs unmauly readi-
ness to fall in with the will of another
but in the original obsequium, or in the
English word as employed two centu-
lics ago, there was nothing of this; it
rather meant obedience and midncss
Shakespeare, speaking of a deceased
person, says:
"liow many a holy and obscIUious tear
Hath dear religious love stolen from Lin, e.,
An interest OF the deal"
Property and Propriaty were once
Synonymous, both referring to- material
things, rs the French word "proprirH.'
does now. Foreigners DO not often
catch the distinction at present ma lc in
/ English between the two words, and we
know a French gentleman who recently.
meeting with some pecuniary revorse>,
astonished his friends by telling them
that he had lost all his propriety.
ROXY PoLY Tor Steamed Pudding 49,
Make light soft dough rs for soda bis
emit, by using one quart of siited flour
into which thoroughly mix three Thin
blefnls of cream OF tartar, lard the size
of n hicory nut, and pinch of salt; then
moisten by dribbling over it one cup
of sweet milk or cream in which is one
thimbleiul of soda dissolved. Work
light into a soft, smooth loaf, roll thin,
and spread over it any kind of sweet
preserves or fruit JAM roll it up and
pinch the edges to keep in the fruit
grease Your steamer or colander, lay il
in, cover close and set to steam one
hour over clear boiling water. Serve
warm on warm platter with rich
cream or sauce nicely favored