posing a question to the list

[Terry Irons]

I received this request today.  Those who know might reply directly to
ai'fe, to the list, or to both!  Or not.  Or none.


aife murray wrote:

> Terry Irons,
>
> I have an historical language question about the connotations of two
> words used by a new england 19th century white Yankee writer I'm
> writing an article about.
>
> I'm not a linguist and want to know if this is something appropriate
> for your list?
>
> And if so can it be posted to the group and responses sent to me via
> email?
>
> If yes, here is my question:
>
> What would have been the associations for these words in 19th century
> america?  The speaker/writer was a white Yankee writer living in
> western massachusetts.
>
> "Tawny Girl" -- used in 1866 (who is trading goods with another person)
>
> "cloudy man" -- used in 1881 (seemingly refers to an african american
> laborer)
>
> Many thanks
>
>
> Ai'fe Murray
>
> http://aifemurray.com
> http://georgeoppen.org



--
Virtually, Terry
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Terry Lynn Irons        t.irons at morehead-st.edu
Voice Mail:             (606) 783-5164
Snail Mail:             UPO 604 Morehead, KY 40351
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