Words: scrolloping, adj. or v.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE HON Vera Benedicata never knew that she would appear in a dictionary. She was described in Virginia Woolf's 1923 diary as detesting "the scrolloping honours of the great, calls her family dull and stupid". Apparently Mrs Woolf's word - a lolloping, florid ornament - she plugged it in The New Dress, Orlando ("cucumbers came scrolloping across the garden to his feet") and The Waves.
Unrecorded, however, is its appearance in an 1893 letter by Edward Fitzgerald, translator of Omar Khay-ym: "I somehow detest my own scrolloping surname." This was published after Mrs Woolf's death, but oral use across the Victorian intellectual aristocracy is more than possible, and its use should be more frequent. Heaven knows, there's reason enough.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments