For Christmas, Kristen got me a desk calender called Forgotten English. (She also got me this really neat Shakespeare mug that I use all the time.) I took the calender to work, it sits on my desk, and I read it everyday. I especially look forward to Tuesdays when I get to read Saturday, Sunday, and Monday too. Each day is a new Old English word and some trivia about it. Every one is so interesting it is hard not to bring the pages home and blog about them all. I have been waiting for an exceptionally cool one. I found one but what was even more interesting was the trivia.
'bodword' - an ominous message
Henry Reddall's book, Fact, Fancy, and Fable (1889), describes a no-nonsense 'language of postage' used by Americans. Stamps on the upper left corner upside down means I love you! One on the upper left corner crosswise, I love another. Stamp on the upper left corner up and down, I wish to be rid of your correspondence. On the left lower corner means Do you love me? On the left lower corner upside down, I am displeased. Stamp placed on the left lower corner crosswise, I wish to have your acquaintance. On the left side in the centre means Accept me as a lover. Amusingly, a stamp on the left side in the centre crosswise means Who cares? On the upper right corner up and down which is what everyone uses today every time, means Business Correspondence.
3 comments:
I think you HAVE to place stamps in the upper right hand corner now, for the efficiency of the postal system.
That was awesome trivia though!
Matchless topic, it is interesting to me))))
At me a similar situation. I invite to discussion.
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