The Language of Horror
The Victorian era, spanning the years 1837 to 1901, was a time of profound transformation in England. Marked by the rise of the Industrial Revolution and the expansion of the British Empire, this period witnessed unparalleled societal, technological, and cultural shifts. However, beneath the veneer of refinement and progress, a darker undercurrent coursed through Victorian culture. It found expression in the unique language and slang of the day, a vocabulary that dealt with themes of death and the macabre in an often humorous and irreverent manner.
The significance of language in literature, especially in the realm of horror, cannot be overstated. Victorian authors, amidst their growing fascination with the supernatural and the eerie, turned to this distinct lexicon to create narratives that continue to captivate readers today. In this exploration of Victorian Slang and Terminology, we delve into the captivating linguistic tapestry of the Victorian era and how it added depth and atmosphere to the horror narratives of the time.
Join us as we navigate the intricate web of Victorian language, unearthing the unsettling and sometimes comical vocabulary that shaped the haunting tales of the Victorian. This examination not only provides a glimpse into the peculiar linguistic habits of the Victorians but also sheds light on how language served as an essential tool in crafting the spine-tingling stories that continue to send shivers down our spines.
Sinister Slang
In a time marked by significant progress and industrialisation, there was a darker, more macabre side to Victorian culture. This was evident in the slang of the day, which often referenced death and the macabre in a humorous and irreverent manner. The Victorian era had a peculiar way of grappling with one of humanity's greatest fears: death. Amidst the refinement and progress of the era, the Victorians developed a unique and somewhat disconcerting slang that addressed mortality in a manner that was sometimes humorous and irreverent. This distinctive vocabulary, rife with euphemisms and darkly humorous phrases, played a significant role in shaping the horror narratives of the time. Let's delve into this macabre linguistic landscape.
The word “bully” was used to describe a thug or criminal, while “bloke” was a slang term for a man. This fascination with crime and violence was also reflected in the many slang terms used to describe criminals and their activities. For example, “buzz off” was a slang term for a robbery, while “stick up” referred to a holdup or mugging.
One of the most popular forms of Victorian slang was that which referenced death. Words such as “croaked,” “pushing up the daisies,” and “kicked the bucket” were used to describe death in a lighthearted manner, showing a casual acceptance of a topic that was considered taboo in polite society. To describe death as "kicking the bucket" may seem rather lighthearted. However, this phrase was commonly used to make the topic of death more palatable in polite conversation. In horror literature, this euphemism took on a darker tone, emphasising the finality of death.
Similarly, there was a whole host of euphemisms used to refer to the act of dying. People “went to the great beyond,” “met their maker,” “shuffled off this mortal coil,” or simply “departed.” These euphemisms were used to soften the blow of death and to make the topic easier in civilised conversation.
Another popular slang term for death was “taking a dirt nap.” This phrase conjured up images of a peaceful, final rest, but also had a humorous aspect to it, as the dead person was essentially “sleeping” in their grave. The word “cadger” was used to describe a gravedigger, and “croaker” was a slang term for a funeral director. While “six feet under” referred to being buried in a grave. This idea has been explored by many macabre authors. Robert Louis Stevenson almost takes the notion of ‘napping’ laterally in The Body Snatcher where bodies were dug up and sold for medical purposes, making their initial burial temporary. Similarly, in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the antagonist sleeps in a coffin during the day and wakes at night on an eerie eternal loop.
HP Lovecraft also delves into the idea of taking a dirt nap in The Tomb. The Tomb is an excellent gothic tale where a character takes an interest in a certain tomb and spends time sleeping in it. This phrase also serves to emphasise the permanence of death and the darkness that surrounds it.
There were also slang terms that referenced specific causes of death. For example, if someone had died from an illness, they were said to have “popped their clogs.” This phrase, while somewhat comical, belied the grim reality of death from diseases that ravaged the population in the 19th century. In Charles Dickens's "Bleak House," the character Jo's death from an unidentified disease reflects the prevalent theme of disease and death in Victorian society.
One particularly macabre slang term was “the reaper’s due”. This phrase referred to the fact that death was an inevitable part of life and that everyone had to pay their “due” to the Grim Reaper eventually. This term also had a sense of finality and irreversibility, as once the reaper had collected his due, there was no going back. The notion that death is an inevitable part of life, and everyone must eventually pay their "due" to the Grim Reaper, is captured in the eerie phrase "the reaper's due." The sense of finality and inescapability is a theme that frequently found its way into horror literature. In H.P. Lovecraft's "The Call of Cthulhu," the concept of an ancient, cosmic entity that awaits humanity's "due" showcases the overarching and inescapable nature of death.
These slang terms were a reflection of the Victorian attitude towards death. Despite being a time of great progress and enlightenment, the Victorians still had a strong fear of death and the unknown. The use of humour and euphemism in their slang was a way of dealing with this fear and making death seem less frightening and more manageable.
Final Thoughts
The intriguing use of macabre slang in the Victorian era was more than just a linguistic oddity. It was a fascinating reflection of the era's culture and complex relationship with death, a way of making a frightening and often taboo subject more approachable through humour and clever euphemisms. It showed a unique mix of fear, humour, and acceptance of death, and provides a glimpse into the attitudes and beliefs of a bygone era. It found its way into horror literature, leaving an indelible mark on the macabre tales that continue to enthral and chill readers to this day.
I would never have guessed that a phrase such as "taking a dirt nap" went that far back. Really interesting post!
Another great read!