A few months ago I wrote about the dangers of anachronistic phrases. Specifically, you shouldn't hear Biblical or Shakespearean sayings from characters in the Classical world. I have to be on the look out for such evil.
Here's another one: to follow suit, meaning to copy someone's actions. Playing cards haven't been invented yet. Spotted that in revisions. Aaarrgghh!
Good for you for spotting that! Aren't revisions a lot to juggle?
ReplyDeleteOuch. Another everyday phrase denied to you. I'll admit I never would have realized it was wrong. I don't know where most of our phrases have come from!
ReplyDeleteCards is a good one. Another that exasperates me as I read is the use of currency when it hadn't yet been invented.
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful I'm not trying to stay true to any sort of time period. I have enough trouble keeping track of the one I live in.
ReplyDelete