Literary notes about Snippet (AI summary)
The term "snippet" demonstrates remarkable versatility in literary use, oscillating between a diminutive pejorative and a marker of brevity. In some instances it is employed to deride a person as insignificant or contemptible, as seen in the recurring jab “redheaded snippet” in L. M. Montgomery’s work ([1], [2], [3]) and in disparaging remarks about character attributes ([4], [5], [6]). Conversely, it denotes a short fragment or extract—whether of a conversation, a piece of text, or even source code—as in discussions of a “snippet of talk” ([7], [8]) or technical references to snippet views ([9], [10], [11]). This array of connotations underscores how the word “snippet” can subtly infuse a narrative with both technical precision and cultural criticism simultaneously.
- Ginger still continued to regard her with suspicion, and never failed to greet her sarcastically as “redheaded snippet.”
— from Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery - But Ginger was not bound by any contract of silence and kept ejaculating, “Redheaded snippet” at intervals until Anne felt quite wild.
— from Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery - Nevertheless, the “redheaded snippet” was not quite so meek as she might otherwise have been.
— from Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery - "Menocal's son, Charlie, a half-breed snippet who puts on airs because his father's rich," Stevenson said, in a disgusted tone.
— from The Iron Furrow by George C. (George Clifford) Shedd - I know he'll be a conceited little snippet
— from Keziah Coffin by Joseph Crosby Lincoln - She's a dissolute little scarecrow,—a gutter-snippet and nothing more.”
— from The Works of Rudyard Kipling: One Volume Edition by Rudyard Kipling - “I don't think it is, my dear,” said I. Rogers bringing in the cutlets ended the snippet of talk.
— from Simon the Jester by William John Locke - It was a snippet of conversation copied and recopied and from it blurred in inaccuracies.
— from An Apostate: Nawin of Thais by Steven David Justin Sills - The same scans are indexed by Google Books, but only accessible as snippet view.
— from Adventures in the Philippine Islands by Paul P. de La Gironière - and Google Books (snippet view for those outside the U.S.)
— from Bamboo Tales by Ira L. (Ira Louis) Reeves - (Snippet view for visitors from outside the U.S.)
— from The Woman with a Stone HeartA Romance of the Philippine War by O. W. (Oscar William) Coursey
