Performative Performativeness

One develops an ear for “modern” words, actually, just like one does for older words. I came across some prose where I had written “performative gentlemanliness” and thought “performative” seems relatively new.

1922.

“Gentleman” itself is from the 15th century, but dictionaries are not usually fastidious about the various forms of words, so I’ve no knowledge whether “gentlemanliness” appeared along with its root or much sooner.

That said, “performative” may remain. It is not a word my characters can use, but it’s certainly one I can use.

Interestingly, after the climax of the book, there’s a recap. Well, that’s not super-interesting; it’s pretty common, in fact. The interesting part, from my perspective, is that I wrote the recap a year-and-a-half ago…two years ago? Shortly after starting the blog. In fact, I think I blogged about it. OK, even that’s not interesting.

The interesting part, which I’ll get to if you stop interrupting me, is that the climax (which I just finished writing) actually matches the recap pretty closely. The main deviations have occurred as all the characters, especially Arabella, have become more active.

I don’t really have to correct it, however, because I’ll probably end up removing most of it. After all, the readers have just read this, they don’t need a recap except to fill in a few blanks.