Quote:
Originally Posted by Catlady
But why in the world would an author/editor/proofreader even THINK of checking everyday words like manipulate, flawlessly, or selfless? It's not like a writer is attempting to forge an Austen manuscript that must pass muster, and is worried about being tripped up by a wily detective who just happens to be an etymologist.
What else would possibly trigger anyone else to look up every darn word? Certainly the concepts existed. It's not the same as checking to see if something or other had been invented or in use by a certain date.
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Yeah, I wouldn't have been aware of those either, and agree that the concept existed even if they used different terminology. As long as the author avoids obviously modern slang or references to technology that wouldn't have existed yet I probably wouldn't notice.
Though I suppose you could stretch the theory that the concept existed to slang also, so if a character says things like "cool" or "OMG" it represents an 1800s equivalent