Any time you write a story with a historical setting, these simple tools are there to help – so you don’t use the 1970s phrase “warm fuzzies” in a story set in the 1930s, for example, or have Jack the Ripper talking about “adrenaline”, or your 1890s NZ character saying “not all that” (1990s US), or…
I could keep going for a while with other real examples. Bottom line: use the tools.
Originally shared by Karen Conlin
Two indispensable tools for writers and editors:
The Online Etymology Dictionary and Google Ngram Viewer.
Both are great first stops in your research regarding suitable language for your work. Did people in the 1950s use the term “flashback” to refer to memories related to hallucinogens? Was the term “backup” in the sense of “reinforcements” used in the 1600s?
I prefer to use http://etymonline.com for “first use” dates, and the Ngram Viewer for determining “more/most common” usages over time. You may find them useful in other ways.
#twt