Buzz
As we've delved into the challenges and triumphs of the Granthams and their household, Angela Tung from Wordnik has curated a collection of intriguing terms and phrases from the series. Below are some standout examples from the third season. Warning: Spoilers ahead for those who haven't watched the first three seasons.
1. hobbledehoyAn hobbledehoy refers to "a clumsy, inexperienced young person." This term dates back to the 16th century. The word hob likely derives from "a hobgoblin or elf," while -dehoy may stem from the Middle French phrase de haye, meaning "wild or untamed."
Example: Carson: "Miss O'Brien, we are preparing for a high-society wedding. I cannot spare time to train young hobbledehoys." — Episode 1, January 6, 2013 *2. left-footerHistorical note: Left-footer, a slang term for a Roman Catholic, didn't emerge until 1944, as per the OED, which is 24 years after this episode's setting. The phrase likely originates from the notion that "Catholic laborers in Northern Ireland use their left foot to dig with a spade, while Protestants use their right." Kicks with the left foot is another colloquial term for Catholics, whereas kicking with the wrong foot "is often used by Protestants to refer to Catholics and vice versa."
Example: Robert: "Did you catch Tom's declaration at breakfast? He insists the child should be raised as a left-footer." — Episode 6, February 3, 2013 *3. Chu Chin ChowChu Chin Chow is a musical comedy inspired by Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, where "the affluent merchant Kasim Baba (Ali Baba's brother) [hosts] an extravagant feast for a wealthy Chinese merchant, Chu Chin Chow, en route from China." The production debuted in London in 1916 and enjoyed a five-year run.
Example: Mrs. Hughes: "Your dinners would then be fit for Chu Chin Chow." — Episode 6, February 3, 2013 *4. Debrett'sDebrett's is a renowned British publisher specializing in etiquette manuals and Debrett's Peerage & Baronetage, a "genealogical directory of the British aristocracy," or as Patsy Stone from Absolutely Fabulous famously quipped, the "Who's Who of the remnants of the British aristocracy."
Example: Cora: "Not everyone selects their faith to appease Debrett's." — Episode 5, February 3, 2013 *5. in someone's bad booksBeing in someone's bad books signifies being out of favor or disgraced. The phrase dates back to around 1861, according to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). An earlier version (1771) is to be in someone's black book. A black book was "a registry of names of individuals deserving censure or punishment, as used in English universities or military contexts." Thus, being in someone's black book meant falling out of their favor (or landing on their shitlist, as Americans might say). Conversely, being in someone's good books means being in favor, a phrase that emerged around 1839, as noted in Charles Dickens's Nicholas Nickleby: "If you wish to remain in her good graces, avoid calling her the old lady."
Example: Daisy [to Mosely about O'Brien]: "I wouldn't risk being in her bad books for anything, not even a gold clock." — Episode 2, January 13, 2013 *6. in the soupBeing in the soup means finding oneself in a tricky situation, as defined by the OED. This phrase originated as American slang around 1889.
Example: Daisy [to Mosely]: "You're in the soup now." — Episode 2, January 13, 2013 *7. Johnny ForeignerJohnny Foreigner is a pejorative term referring to "someone from a country outside the United Kingdom." The exact origin or first usage of this phrase remains unclear. If you have any insights, please share them!
Example: Robert: "But there always appears to be a hint of Johnny Foreigner in the Catholics." — Episode 3, January 20, 2013 *8. plain cookAccording to the OED, a plain cook is "a cook who focuses on preparing simple, unadorned dishes." These dishes are "not overly rich or heavily seasoned," typically made with just a few basic ingredients.
Example: Mrs. Bird: "She claims there's plenty of demand for a plain cook nowadays." — Episode 4, January 27, 2013 *9. squiffySquiffy refers to being slightly intoxicated or drunk, and is described as a "playfully coined term" by the OED. There are numerous other expressions for being drunk.
Example: Robert: "I regret to say he was somewhat squiffy, weren't you, Alfred?" — Episode 6, February 3, 2013 *10. tuppenceTuppence is a variation of twopence, meaning two pennies or an insignificant amount. Someone who doesn't give a tuppence is entirely indifferent.
Example: Isabel: "She couldn't care a tuppence about Ethel." — Episode 6, February 10, 2013 *11. stick it up your jumperThe complete phrase is oompah, oompah, stick it up your jumper!, and it conveys "contempt, defiance, rejection, or dismissal." It likely originated as "a nonsensical chant used humorously or mockingly" in the 1920s. The phrase is famously featured in the Beatles' song "I Am the Walrus."
Example: Anna: "They'll have to let Thomas go." Bates: "Mr. Barrow." Anna: "Mr. Stick It Up Your Jumper." — Episode 6, February 10, 2013
Discover more on Wordnik...
Downton Abbey Vocabulary and Expressions From Seasons 1 and 2 *11 Terms From Charles Dickens *Wordnik's Daily Word Feature
