[Ads-l] "nefandous", 1684; early interdating of OED3

[Joel Berson]

"Also the Daemon belched forth most horrid and nefandous Blasphemies, exalting himself above the most High. After this he was taken speechless for some time."

Increase Mather, "An Essay for the Recording of Illustrious Providences ..." (Boston: to be sold by George Calvert at the Sign of the Half-moon in Pauls Church-yard, London, 1684).  [AAS copy.]  Page 141.

Interdates OED3 1649 (earliest quotation) -- 1702 (Increase's prolific son).

Apparently uttering "not to be spoken of, unmentionable" (OED) blasphemies renders one speechless.

(In searching EAI and EEBO, I did not find "nefandous" in some of the other 1684 editions and impressions of "Illustrious Providences".)

Joel

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