JMW
Annotations and comments
JMW has posted two annotations/comments since 18 November 2023.
The most recent first…
Daily entries from the 17th century London diary
JMW has posted two annotations/comments since 18 November 2023.
The most recent first…
Comments
Third Reading
About Wednesday 23 January 1660/61
JMW • Link
Still is in parts of NW England
About Saturday 17 November 1660
JMW • Link
"His mother would fain marry him to get a portion for his sister . . . ."
Today we would say "would fain marry him OFF to get a portion . . . ."
That makes more sense, except that today we don't use "would fain."
I (born 1950) have heard the use of "fain" with this meaning when I was young, but in the context of someone speaking, naturally, Lancashire dialect. But not more recently.