this post was submitted on 28 Nov 2023
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I’m currently reading The Duke and I and the author is constantly using the word “acerbic”. I had never heard of the word before now and had to google the definition. The word has shown up so much that I’m tempted to go through the book and count its appearances lol.

Have you noticed any authors having favorite words that they use page after page?

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[–] Formal_Instance_544@alien.top 0 points 1 year ago (5 children)

In Frankenstein Mary Shelley constantly uses the word “countenance”

[–] JimDixon@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Countenance occurs frequently in the King James Bible, so maybe that's where she picked it up.

[–] stella3books@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

That’s how you know it’s a gothic novel, countenances all around.

[–] pink_mfd@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I also felt like wretch/wretched were overused in Frankenstein

YES! Still a masterpiece. But, oh yes!

[–] WhoIsBobMurray@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Exactly what I thought. That, and everyone good in that book is incessantly "benevolent."

[–] violetfrfx@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

I actually love how much wretch is used, it’s such an important word in the context of the book. Ties together the whole theme

[–] Roupert3@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

That's a more common word in 19th century literature though

[–] 1funkyhunky@alien.top 0 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Yeah that seems a popular word in 1800s fiction. I wonder why it’s not used much these days..

Vibe is the zeitgeist

[–] Silvanus350@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Too many syllables.

[–] Awkward_Pace_176@alien.top 0 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I used it once in a book I wrote. My beta wanted me to cut it and I refused. I think any word overused gets annoying. It’s easier to overuse uncommon words. I read a story where the author kept describing a character as “dainty.” Everything about her was dainty. Stuck out like a sore thumb.

[–] Shok3001@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Maybe don’t let your fish read your rough draft next time. :)

[–] Awkward_Pace_176@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

It’s embarrassing how often I had to read this to get the joke. 🫨😂Well played.

[–] Fox_Hawk@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

You could not countenance its removal?