The pseudonym "Philo Vaihinger" has been abandoned. All posts have been and are written by me, Joseph Auclair.

Sunday, October 2, 2016

A rarely seen survival


Perfectly legit, standard, modern English, brought to mind by a passage in Chaucer.

The Miller's Tale, ll 432 ff,

Nicolas speaking of Noah to the carpenter, of his concern that his wife might survive the flood.

Him hadde wel lever, I dar well undertake,
At thilke tyme [at such a time - PV] than all his wetheres blake [black sheep - PV],
That sche hadde a schip hirself allone.

The Canterbury Tales.

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