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18th Century Word Match
Listening to 18th century conversation with our 21st century ears can leave us a bit perplexed! It seems that during the nearly 250 years of our nation’s history, our ‘American’ language has evolved.
Take a look at these ‘normal’ words and see if you can match to an 18th century definition. Good luck!
Words 18th Century Definition
“above stairs” almost always a paintbrush (the modern graphite-filled stick wasn’t invented until the 19th century)
“birthday suit” an undergarment
“gaol” chandelier
“history” fancy clothes worn on the birthday of the monarch
“lustre” finicky
“nice” it’ll
“pencil” jail
“shift” those who undertake projects
“twill” upstairs
“undertaker” used for any narrative, including fictional ones
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Enjoy the Smithsonian Institutes interactive Star Spangled Banner website by clicking here!
18th Century Word Match Answers
“above stairs”-upstairs; “birthday suit”-fancy clothes worn on the birthday of the monarch; “gaol”-jail; “history”-used for any narrative, including fictional ones; “lustre”-chandelier; “nice”-finicky; “pencil”-almost always a paintbrush; “shift’-an undergarment; “twill”-it’ll; “undertaker”-those who undertake projects