Literary notes about parlance (AI summary)
The word “parlance” is often used in literature as a marker for the specific language or jargon of a particular group or era, serving to bridge the gap between archaic or specialized expressions and contemporary understanding. In works like those of Boccaccio, for example, “modern parlance” is invoked to render phrases into terms that resonate with a current audience ([1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]), while in other texts it delineates distinct domains of discourse—such as “theatrical parlance” ([8]), “religious parlance” ([9]), “sea-parlance” ([10]), and even localized expressions like “East Side parlance” ([11]). Additionally, references to “common parlance” ([12], [13], [14], [15], [16]) illustrate a shift toward everyday language, emphasizing how specialized or formal language can be translated into more familiar terms. This varied usage underscores the literary function of “parlance” as both a linguistic tool and a cultural signifier.
- [297] i.e. who are yet a child, in modern parlance, "Thou whose lips are yet wet with thy mother's milk."
— from The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio by Giovanni Boccaccio - [237] Or, in modern parlance, "laying certain plans."
— from The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio by Giovanni Boccaccio - [268] Or "eminent" ( valoroso ), i.e. in modern parlance, "a man of merit and talent."
— from The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio by Giovanni Boccaccio - [175] Or, in modern parlance, to enlighten her.
— from The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio by Giovanni Boccaccio - In si forte punto , or, in modern parlance, at so critical or ill-starred a moment.
— from The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio by Giovanni Boccaccio - [353] Or, in modern parlance, "twopennny-halfpenny."
— from The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio by Giovanni Boccaccio - [359] Or, in modern parlance, logic-chopping ( sillogizzando ).
— from The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio by Giovanni Boccaccio - In theatrical parlance, they failed to "get over," which means that their message did not get over the foot-lights to the audience.
— from The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie and J. Berg Esenwein - And behind this condition of deep somnolence there come signs of recovery—or, in religious parlance, "Salvation."
— from The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book I and II by Nietzsche - Lying-to, or, in sea-parlance, “laying-to,” is a measure resorted to for various purposes, and effected in various manners.
— from The Works of Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven Edition by Edgar Allan Poe - The grocer, who keeps the store, lives on the “stoop,” the first floor in East Side parlance.
— from How the Other Half Lives: Studies Among the Tenements of New York by Jacob A. Riis - However, in common parlance, we both use fruits and enjoy uses.
— from The City of God, Volume I by Bishop of Hippo Saint Augustine - 21 In Chinese Asia adultery is indeed branded as one of the vilest of crimes, but in common idea and parlance it is a woman's crime, not man's.
— from The Religions of Japan, from the Dawn of History to the Era of Méiji by William Elliot Griffis - "She is not what in common parlance is called a lady," said Angel, unflinchingly, "for she is a cottager's daughter, as I am proud to say.
— from Tess of the d'Urbervilles: A Pure Woman by Thomas Hardy - In common parlance we still call a pouch or pocket by that name, whether it is full or empty.
— from The King James Version of the Bible - His whole face tended towards the nose—it was what, in common parlance, is known as a “pitcher-mug.”
— from Dead Souls by Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol
