Veinity Fair

Comic strip about the bizarre side of Victorian science and everyday life.

[Veinity Fair @VeinityFair]

I haven't twitted any comics in a while, but I'll catch up! 💀 You can also check out the latest episodes in this BP article:

[Bored Panda @boredpanda]

"20 More Of My Comics About The Fascinating But Gruesome Facts About The Victorian Era You Might Have Never Heard" #history #comics
https://t.co/dt9XUuRKt1

[Veinity Fair @VeinityFair]

Morbid Souvenirs https://t.co/NzVvGucxTK

[Veinity Fair @VeinityFair]

@DrLindseyFitz @danieljgillies @fsgbooks @robertguinsler @alexbstar @MacmillanAudio That is so cool, I'll have to get the audiobook as well then!

[Veinity Fair @VeinityFair]

Enjoy this practical guide to becoming a resurrectionist written by @BethlemResident and illustrated by me. You can download it for FREE at https://t.co/xNwYaqz0wZ . Available in Polish only, but the pictures speak for themselves ⚰️💀

[Veinity Fair @VeinityFair]

💜Barrel of Treacle (Low London).
The condition of love, suggested by the sweetness of this cloying synonym.

(from The Victorian Dictionary of Slang & Phrase by J. Redding Ware)
#ValentinesDay2022 #VictorianSlang

[Veinity Fair @VeinityFair]

Happy New Year! 🥳 Check out my newest #NYE #webcomic and read more about what actually happened at the famous Iguanodon dinner in @profjoecain excellent article.

[Veinity Fair @VeinityFair]

(2/2) going "a thomasing", "a gooding", or "a mumping." The last term comes from the word 'mumpers', a name given to toothless beggar women, probably originating from the Dutch 'mompen' = 'to mumble'.

[Veinity Fair @VeinityFair]

December 21, #WinterSolstice is a day on which #Victorians would honor St. Thomas by participating in charitable events, giving food & money to the poor. One of the customs was for poor women to go around the houses asking for alms, which was often referred to as ... (1/2)

[Veinity Fair @VeinityFair]

And a few St. Nicholas legends contain some grizzly elements which could have inspired such a connection! Like the one where St. Nicholas resurrects three children, who had previously been killed and pickled in a barrel brine in order to be sold as ham. 😱

[Veinity Fair @VeinityFair]

It's #StNicholasDay! Turns out this seemingly jolly saint's name was sometimes used in more sinister phrases. After Ware's #Victorian Dictionary of Slang:
"Nathaniel, Below: Even lower than Hades—Nathaniel (...) and Old Nick, or Nicholas, being familiar synonyms for #Satan."

[Veinity Fair @VeinityFair]

The euphemism 'Old Nick' isn't easy to investigate, but it took on around the 17th century and most sources provide 2 possible origins of the name:
– connection to a water demon, goblin, or sprite (e.g., OE nicker, nicor, ML German necker);
– humorous reference to St. Nicholas

[Veinity Fair @VeinityFair]

A female in Quebec, the other day, perpetrated a ghastly joke, mocking death in his own domain, by lying down in a hearse and smoking a pipe in a funeral chariot was driven through the street [...]"

[Veinity Fair @VeinityFair]

The Illustrated Police News 1871:
"A Quebec Woman Creates a Sensation, Riding Through St. John Street in a Hearse, Reclining on the Coffin-Bed, and Smoking a Pipe.
What will women do next to distinguish themselves, we wonder!
#History #Victorian #TIL #gothic

[Prof Bob Nicholson @DigiVictorian]

People often moan about the word 'Xmas' & insist that it's a modern term that has no place in traditional festive celebrations. In fact, it was often used by the Victorians... including the family of a man who arguably did more than anybody to help establish Christmas traditions!

[Veinity Fair @VeinityFair]

Just a reminder that before jack-o’-lanterns started to be associated with pumpkins, they were traditionally made out of potatoes, turnips, and beets! I know some of you have been keeping this tradition alive& I'd love to see your turnip creations! #halloween2021 #halloweenturnip

[Veinity Fair @VeinityFair]

Make sure to check out the "Cabinet of Killer Curios" exhibit at @EptekCentre ! 👻 It features deadly & creepy Victorian objects and a little bird told me a few Veinity Fair prints make their appearance as well! 💀
https://t.co/bokv2ctzDc