Random fic questions

[featherxquill]

Britpick: The phrase 'knocked up'. Google tells me it is of American origin, but it has obviously traversed continents. Just wondering if it's a phrase that is commonly used in England or not? If not, is there more common slang for 'got herself pregnant', or would you just say 'got herself pregnant?'

Also: When you guys are writing about a character (who is not a Deatheater) thinking about Voldemort, what do you call him? I always hate this, because the idea of actually referring to a person, in your thoughts, as 'You Know Who' is bloody ridiculous, but only DEs (and Snape, and anyone else I can feasibly force to do it) call him the Dark Lord, and only Harry and Dumbledore call him by his name, so. It just sounds SO STUPID, though. How do you guys get around that?

Comments

[impropaganda.livejournal.com]

Yeah, knocked up is pretty common over here

[an-fhanai.livejournal.com]

Huh. I've used it in conversation, not inner monologue. Depending on the character, you could have him/her wrestling with the idea of how ridiculous it is. Or just thinking "HIM" as a way of referring to Voldemort, because you're right, "You Know Who" is pretty stupid in a character's thoughts.

[therealsnape.livejournal.com]

I agree with an_fhanai, that they might think of him as HIM. Voldemort is a dark, looming presence in their lives, and the taboo on his name is huge. But they wouldn't call him The Dark Lord unless they followed / admired him.

The use of both full capitals and italics seems a good one. A mere capital letter (Him) might be associated with the biblical/reverent way of speaking of Christ. It would, again, imply admiration. Italics and full capitals would avoid that. Or even HIM. With the code < small > I mean.

[cranky--crocus.livejournal.com]

I haven't heard 'knocked up' here in a while unless referring to an American-type story, but I have heard 'up the duff' a few times by friends and English television. Hope that helps?

I avoid Voldemort altogether in most of my stories. :B I'm evil, truly evil.

[kendas.livejournal.com]

yup I use it.

Hermione and Blaise refer to him as Voldemort in my head because Blaise is just that kind of level headed in my mind and I like to believe Hermione forced herself to get over the fear of the name because she's too snsible for such nonsence., Everyone else it depends on which side they are and if it's post final battle.

[addyit.livejournal.com]

"up the pole" is another one. it might be more Irish, though.

[magic-at-mungos.livejournal.com]

I have never heard up the pole but have heard up the duff and knocked up almost interchangeably.

[velmaneuwirth.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Knocked up is pretty common. :-)

Also, you know I don't know a great deal about HP but you could just call him 'The Bald One' ;-P /kidding.