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 11 months ago (5 children)

In Frankenstein Mary Shelley constantly uses the word “countenance”

[–] Roupert3@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

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

[–] JimDixon@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

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

[–] stella3books@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

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

[–] pink_mfd@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (3 children)

I also felt like wretch/wretched were overused in Frankenstein

[–] violetfrfx@alien.top 1 points 11 months 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

[–] WhoIsBobMurray@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

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

[–] Glittering-Listen-33@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

YES! Still a masterpiece. But, oh yes!

[–] 1funkyhunky@alien.top 0 points 11 months ago (3 children)

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

[–] Silvanus350@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Too many syllables.

[–] Efficient-Grass-6275@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Vibe is the zeitgeist

[–] Awkward_Pace_176@alien.top 0 points 11 months 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.

[–] Fox_Hawk@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

You could not countenance its removal?

[–] Shok3001@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

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

[–] Awkward_Pace_176@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

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