ANST - Smalls

[Dennis Grace]

Salut Cozyns,

Lyonel aisai.

Stefan replies to -

> > ""Smalls" (also "Halflings") refers to children. Now it seems that this 
>term is
> > a serious point of contention since a myth has sprung up that the term 
>"Smalls"
> > is a contraction of "Small clothes" and so we are referring to our 
>children as
> > underwear. Now it is entirely true that "Smalls" is derived from 
>"Smallclothes"
> > and does mean "underwear" - but not until well into the 17th century. 
>"Small"
> > in the Middle Ages still referred to something that was inferior. 
>"Halfling",
> > it seems, also referred to children after 1794, and meant a stripling or
> > something not fully grown. <snip>

- with:

>Thank you Diarmuit for this wonderful bit of info. As the one that started 
>off
>this thread by suggesting to Lady Celeste that "children" might be a better
>choice than "smalls", I must now modify my original comment if not it's 
>intent.
>I see now that "smalls" might be appropriate but may be derogatory.

Um, no.  Berengaria's research demonstrates that "smalls" is not an 
appropriate contraction of "small clothes" and, therefore, post-period.  Her 
article does *not* support the use of the word "smalls" in reference to 
children.

lo vostre por vos servir
Sir Lyonel Oliver Grace


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