‘ . . On 10 November 1662 a warrant was issued granting Sir James Scott (aged 13) the titles of duke of Monmouth . . [he] was officially created on 14 February 1663 . . ’
‘citizen, n. < Anglo-Norman citesain . . . . 1.c. An ordinary (city- or town-dwelling) person as opposed to a member of the landed nobility or gentry on one hand or an artisan, labourer, etc. on the other . . a1616 Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) iii. iii. 54 When he speakes not like a Citizen You finde him like a Soldier. 1723 D. Defoe Hist. Col. Jack (ed. 2) 315, I had Married two Gentle-women, and one Citizen, and they prov'd all three Whores. 1755 Johnson Dict. Eng. Lang. Citizen, a man of trade; not a gentleman . . ‘ ........... The industrial revolution depended on child labour in the cotton mills. It was unregulated until, 150 years after Pepy’s time, came ‘the Cotton Factories Regulation Act of 1819 (which set the minimum working age at 9 and maximum working hours at 12), then the Regulation of Child Labor Law of 1833 (which established paid inspectors to enforce the laws) and finally the Ten Hours Bill of 1847 (which limited working hours to 10 for children and women) . . ’ https://eh.net/encyclopedia/child…
The full OED entry runs to nearly 11,000 words; as there seems nothing pejorative about SP’s use of the word here, I think the first and obvious meaning is intended:
‘simple, adj. and n. < Old French simple . . A. adj. In early examples it is often difficult to decide in which of several possible senses the word is to be taken. I. 1. Free from duplicity, dissimulation, or guile; innocent and harmless; undesigning, honest, open, straightforward. . . 1669 Relat. Raleigh's Troubles in Harl. Misc. IV. 60 The Lord Cobham, a simple passionate man, but of very noble birth and great possessions . . ‘
William is described by DNB as a 'dull and pious' parliamentarian - 'right but revolting' as '1066 and All That' has it.
I think Louise Hudson is mistaken; the practice of adoption and the word for it date back to the Middle Ages at least:
‘adopt, v. < Middle French adopter .. . 1. trans. a. To take (a child) and bring it up as one's own, (usually) assuming all rights and responsibilities from its biological parents on a permanent, legal basis. Also intr. c1429 Mirour Mans Saluacioune (1986) l. 2880 O son hadde sho fairest be flesshely progeniture, Ane othere hadde sho adopt be law of mercyfulle cure. 1538 T. Elyot Dict. Adoptitius, he that is adopted or taken in the stede of a sonne. 1607 L. Andrewes Serm. (1856) 59 No father adopts, unless he be orbe, have no child. a1616 Shakespeare Othello (1622) i. iii. 190, I had rather to adopt a child then get it . . ‘ [OED]
A well-known example at the start of the modern age is Jane Austen’s brother Edward who was adopted by their wealthy Knight cousins, taking their name. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edw…
‘displease, v. < Old French desplais- . . . . c. to be displeased: to be dissatisfied, or moved to disapprobation or dislike; to be vexed; to be full of displeasure or indignation. (Expressing state rather than action: cf. displeased adj.) Const. with, at, †of, †against; also with inf., or clause. . . a1616 Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) i. i. 153 There's reason he should be displeas'd at it. 1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 133 Cynthia also lookt pale, as displeasd with so much knavery . . ‘
‘give over . . 2. absol. or intr. To cease; desist, leave off . . . . 1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. 7 He offended the Prophet for giuing over then . . ‘ (still current, as Gerry said, in North Country Standard English but not in London English).
‘main guard, n. < Formed within English, by compounding. . . 2. Fortification. The keep of a castle; (also) the building within a fortress in which the main guard (sense 1) is lodged. Also fig. . . 1662 S. Pepys Diary 19 Dec. (1970) III. 286 With the Lieutenant's leave, set them to work in the garden in the corner against the Mayne-guard . . ‘
‘wretch, n. and adj. < Old English wrecca, . . Old High German reccheo . . exile, adventurer, knight errant . . . . 2. e. A person or little creature. (Used as a term of playful depreciation, or to denote slight commiseration or pity.) . . a1616 Shakespeare Othello (1622) iii. iii. 91 Excellent wretch, perdition catch my soule, But I doe loue thee. 1663 S. Pepys Diary 25 May (1971) IV. 155 She being a good-natured and painful wretch. 1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones I. i. vii. 34 Had you exposed the little Wretch in the Manner of some inhuman Mothers . . ‘
‘knot, n.1< Old English cnotta . . . . 18. A small group, cluster, band or company of persons or things (gathered together in one place, or associated in any way). of a knot, in union or combination, associated together. a. Of persons. . . 1662 S. Pepys Diary 16 Dec. (1970) III. 284 All do conclude Mr. Coventry and Pett and me to be of a knot . . ‘
and
‘whisk, n.1 . . partly < Scandinavian noun represented by Old Norse visk . . . . II. 2. A neckerchief worn by women in the latter half of the 17th century. Obs. exc. Hist. . . 1660 S. Pepys Diary 22 Nov. (1970) I. 299 My wife..bought her a white whiske and put it on . . ‘
‘pimp, n.1 Of unknown origin. . . 1. a. Originally: a person who arranges opportunities for (illicit) sexual intercourse; a procurer. Now: a man who takes a proportion of the earnings of a prostitute, usually in return for arranging clients, providing protection, etc. . . 1666 S. Pepys Diary 10 June (1972) VII. 159 The Duke of York is wholly given up to his new mistress... Mr. Brouncker it seems was the pimp to bring it about . . ‘
‘skate, v. 1. a. intr. To glide over ice upon skates; to use skates as a means of exercise or pastime . . 1696 S. Sewall Diary 30 Nov. (1973) I. 360 Many Scholars go in the Afternoon to Scate on Fresh-pond . . ‘
‘skate, n.2 < Dutch schaats < Old Northern French escache . . 1. a. (a) A device consisting of a steel blade mounted in a wooden sole, and fixed to the boot by means of a screw and straps, used for the purpose of gliding over ice; in later use a similar device made entirely of steel and clamped, strapped, or otherwise attached to the boot. Chiefly used in pl. The blades are of varying length and curved or rounded at the toe. . . 1662 S. Pepys Diary 1 Dec. (1970) III. 272 Over the parke (where I first in my life..did see people sliding with their sckeates, which is a very pretty art) . . ‘
‘Shamble < Old English sc(e)amel . . 3. a. pl. A place where meat (or occas. fish) is sold, a flesh- or meat-market. . . 1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures xxxiv. 137 This City hath an hundred and three score Butchers shambles, and in each of them an hundred stalls. 1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 292/2 At the Shambles, where they [sc. Butchers] sell their meat . . ‘
‘physically, adv. 1. Medically; medicinally; according to medical rules. Obs. . . 1674 R. Godfrey Var. Injuries in Physick 208 To make it a Proverb, Qui Medicè vivit, miserè vivit, (i.e.) He that lives Physically, lives miserably. 1712 M. Henry Sober-mindedness in Wks. (1853) I. 70 Then it [sc. mirth] must be used like a medicine,—must be taken physically . . ‘
‘peruke, n. < Middle French perrucque . . . . 2. a. A skullcap covered with hair so as to imitate the natural hair of the head; a wig; a periwig. In early use freq. in false (also artificial) peruke. Now hist. In quot. 1662 apparently: a lovelock.
In quot. 1846 identified as a smaller wig than a periwig and belonging to the reign of Charles II, but peruke is in fact found much earlier than this, and other authors identify it in sense with periwig. . . 1613 J. Hayward Liues III. Normans 281 When their owne hair failed, they set artificiall Peruques, with long locks upon their heades. 1662 S. Pepys Diary 24 Mar. (1970) III. 51 By and by comes la Belle Perce to see my wife and to bring her a pair of peruques of hair . . ‘
‘behindhand, adv. 1. a. In arrear as to the discharge of one's liabilities, in a state of insolvency, in debt. (Const. with.) . . 1618 a1645 W. Browne tr. M. Le Roy Hist. Polexander (1647) i. v. 134, I finde my selfe behindehand with him more than I am able to pay him. 1704 Swift Tale of Tub ii. 73 Having run something behind-hand with the World. 1752 Johnson Rambler No. 191. ⁋1 A cold which has..put me seventeen visits behind-hand.
b. In the position of a creditor, entitled to money which is in arrear. 1666 S. Pepys Diary 19 Dec. (1972) VII. 414 Many..are ready to starve, they being five years behindhand for their wages.’
and
‘doubt, v. < Middle English duten , douten , < Old French duter, . . II. 5. trans. To dread, fear, be afraid of. . . b. With infinitive phrase or objective clause: To fear, be afraid (that something uncertain will take or has taken place). arch. and dial. . . 1665 S. Pepys Diary 27 Nov. (1972) VI. 387 Doubting that all will break in pieces in the Kingdom.
. . 6. In weakened sense . . c. With infin. phrase or clause: To apprehend; to suspect. arch. . . 1705 Wesley in T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. 28 Sept. My Flax [was] I doubt willfully fir'd and burnt . . ‘
It's sense 6.c. here. It is labeled ‘arch.’ =archaic. Our Hero still uses many turns of phrase current in the East Anglian countryside where he grew up but wholly or partly out of use in London in London English. It is still in common use in North Country vernacular: . . Long silence, then: “Ah doubt it’ll rain later” “Aye” Another long silence . .
‘hot, adj. < A word inherited from Germanic. . . II. Extended uses. 8. Excited (originally with reference to the attendant increase in bodily heat). a. Of a person, action, etc.: characterized by intensity of feeling; fervent, passionate; zealous, eager, keen . . . . 1667 S. Pepys Diary 12 July (1974) VIII. 332 The Duke of York..is hot for it. 1716 D. Ryder Diary 15 Aug. (1939) 296 Brother William is very hot upon it and would fain have it done out of hand . . ‘
‘Australian, n. and adj. < French australien, < Latin austrālis, in Terra Australis ‘southern land,’ the title given, from 16th cent., to the supposed continent and islands lying in the Great Southern Ocean, for which Australia was at length substituted . . A. n. 1. A native of the Terra Australis, including Australasia, Polynesia, and ‘Magellanica’. Obs. 2. a. An Australian Aboriginal . . 1693 New Discov. Terra Incogn. Austral. 163 It is easie to judge of the incomparability of the Australians with the people of Europe . . ‘
‘carfax | carfox, n. < Middle English carfuks . . < Latin quadrifurcus four-forked . . it is not quite clear how this came into English . . 1. A place where four roads or streets meet. (Sometimes extended to more than four.) . . 1662 E. Phillips New World Eng. Words Carefox, quasi, quatre-four, or a place parted into four wayes, a market place in Oxford. [1678 Carfax.] . . ‘
‘carfour | carrefour, n. < French carrefour, in 13th cent. quarrefour : see carfax n. A place where four ways meet, a ‘carfax’. (Formerly quite naturalized, but now treated only as French.) . . 1652 J. Evelyn State of France 109 You walk the streets and publick Carfours . . ‘
‘fit v. . . III. trans. To make fit. . . 6. b. To render (a person) competent or qualified. Const. as above. . . 1647 J. Trapp Mellificium Theol. in Comm. Epist. & Rev. 681 Such as fits a man for some particular calling. 1671 Milton Paradise Regain'd i. 73 Who..Pretends to..fit them so Purified to receive him pure . . ‘
‘club, v. < club n Middle English clubbe < Old Norse klubba . . . . 8. a. To combine in making up a sum (as the cost or expense of an entertainment, etc.) by a number of individual contributions; to go shares in the cost of anything . . . . 1662 S. Pepys Diary 24 Nov. (1970) III. 266 How he did endeavour to find out a ninepence to club with me for the coach . . ‘
Audley is reported to have multiplied his wealth 2,000-fold in in 57 years, implying he doubled it every 5 years = 14 % p.a. average compound interest.
Chronic coughs and bronchitis were much commoner then than now. It was the Little Ice Age, so colder then than now; houses were damper and draughtier; and above all, there was fog, so common as to pass unmentioned, made worse by the polluted air from 1000s of coal fires.
Be grateful for the Clean Air Act of 1956, climate change, double glazing, draught proofing and damp courses in houses and for gas fired central heating.
‘crow n. , Old English cráwe . . . . 3.b. to have a crow to pluck or pull . .with any one: to have something disagreeable or awkward to settle with him; to have a matter of dispute, or something requiring explanation, to clear up; to have some fault to find with him . . . . a1616 Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iii. i. 84 If a crow help vs in, sirra, wee'll plucke a crow together. 1662 S. Pepys Diary 18 Nov. (1970) III. 261 He and I very kind, but I every day expect to pull a crow with him about our lodgings . . ‘
Comments
Second Reading
About Tuesday 30 December 1662
Chris Squire UK • Link
DNB explains:
‘ . . On 10 November 1662 a warrant was issued granting Sir James Scott (aged 13) the titles of duke of Monmouth . . [he] was officially created on 14 February 1663 . . ’
About Saturday 27 December 1662
Chris Squire UK • Link
OED has:
‘citizen, n. < Anglo-Norman citesain . .
. . 1.c. An ordinary (city- or town-dwelling) person as opposed to a member of the landed nobility or gentry on one hand or an artisan, labourer, etc. on the other . .
a1616 Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) iii. iii. 54 When he speakes not like a Citizen You finde him like a Soldier.
1723 D. Defoe Hist. Col. Jack (ed. 2) 315, I had Married two Gentle-women, and one Citizen, and they prov'd all three Whores.
1755 Johnson Dict. Eng. Lang. Citizen, a man of trade; not a gentleman . . ‘
...........
The industrial revolution depended on child labour in the cotton mills. It was unregulated until, 150 years after Pepy’s time, came ‘the Cotton Factories Regulation Act of 1819 (which set the minimum working age at 9 and maximum working hours at 12), then the Regulation of Child Labor Law of 1833 (which established paid inspectors to enforce the laws) and finally the Ten Hours Bill of 1847 (which limited working hours to 10 for children and women) . . ’
https://eh.net/encyclopedia/child…
About Sunday 21 December 1662
Chris Squire UK • Link
The full OED entry runs to nearly 11,000 words; as there seems nothing pejorative about SP’s use of the word here, I think the first and obvious meaning is intended:
‘simple, adj. and n. < Old French simple . . A. adj. In early examples it is often difficult to decide in which of several possible senses the word is to be taken.
I. 1. Free from duplicity, dissimulation, or guile; innocent and harmless; undesigning, honest, open, straightforward.
. . 1669 Relat. Raleigh's Troubles in Harl. Misc. IV. 60 The Lord Cobham, a simple passionate man, but of very noble birth and great possessions . . ‘
William is described by DNB as a 'dull and pious' parliamentarian - 'right but revolting' as '1066 and All That' has it.
About William Brydges (7th Baron Chandos)
Chris Squire UK • Link
William is described by DNB as 'dull and pious '.
About Saturday 20 December 1662
Chris Squire UK • Link
I think Louise Hudson is mistaken; the practice of adoption and the word for it date back to the Middle Ages at least:
‘adopt, v. < Middle French adopter .. .
1. trans. a. To take (a child) and bring it up as one's own, (usually) assuming all rights and responsibilities from its biological parents on a permanent, legal basis. Also intr.
c1429 Mirour Mans Saluacioune (1986) l. 2880 O son hadde sho fairest be flesshely progeniture, Ane othere hadde sho adopt be law of mercyfulle cure.
1538 T. Elyot Dict. Adoptitius, he that is adopted or taken in the stede of a sonne.
1607 L. Andrewes Serm. (1856) 59 No father adopts, unless he be orbe, have no child.
a1616 Shakespeare Othello (1622) i. iii. 190, I had rather to adopt a child then get it . . ‘ [OED]
A well-known example at the start of the modern age is Jane Austen’s brother Edward who was adopted by their wealthy Knight cousins, taking their name. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edw…
About Friday 19 December 1662
Chris Squire UK • Link
OED has:
‘displease, v. < Old French desplais- . .
. . c. to be displeased: to be dissatisfied, or moved to disapprobation or dislike; to be vexed; to be full of displeasure or indignation. (Expressing state rather than action: cf. displeased adj.) Const. with, at, †of, †against; also with inf., or clause.
. . a1616 Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) i. i. 153 There's reason he should be displeas'd at it.
1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 133 Cynthia also lookt pale, as displeasd with so much knavery . . ‘
‘give over . . 2. absol. or intr. To cease; desist, leave off . .
. . 1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. 7 He offended the Prophet for giuing over then . . ‘
(still current, as Gerry said, in North Country Standard English but not in London English).
‘main guard, n. < Formed within English, by compounding.
. . 2. Fortification. The keep of a castle; (also) the building within a fortress in which the main guard (sense 1) is lodged. Also fig.
. . 1662 S. Pepys Diary 19 Dec. (1970) III. 286 With the Lieutenant's leave, set them to work in the garden in the corner against the Mayne-guard . . ‘
‘wretch, n. and adj. < Old English wrecca, . . Old High German reccheo . . exile, adventurer, knight errant . .
. . 2. e. A person or little creature. (Used as a term of playful depreciation, or to denote slight commiseration or pity.)
. . a1616 Shakespeare Othello (1622) iii. iii. 91 Excellent wretch, perdition catch my soule, But I doe loue thee.
1663 S. Pepys Diary 25 May (1971) IV. 155 She being a good-natured and painful wretch.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones I. i. vii. 34 Had you exposed the little Wretch in the Manner of some inhuman Mothers . . ‘
About Tuesday 16 December 1662
Chris Squire UK • Link
OED has:
‘knot, n.1< Old English cnotta . .
. . 18. A small group, cluster, band or company of persons or things (gathered together in one place, or associated in any way). of a knot, in union or combination, associated together.
a. Of persons.
. . 1662 S. Pepys Diary 16 Dec. (1970) III. 284 All do conclude Mr. Coventry and Pett and me to be of a knot . . ‘
and
‘whisk, n.1 . . partly < Scandinavian noun represented by Old Norse visk . .
. . II. 2. A neckerchief worn by women in the latter half of the 17th century. Obs. exc. Hist.
. . 1660 S. Pepys Diary 22 Nov. (1970) I. 299 My wife..bought her a white whiske and put it on . . ‘
About Monday 15 December 1662
Chris Squire UK • Link
OED has:
‘pimp, n.1 Of unknown origin.
. . 1. a. Originally: a person who arranges opportunities for (illicit) sexual intercourse; a procurer. Now: a man who takes a proportion of the earnings of a prostitute, usually in return for arranging clients, providing protection, etc.
. . 1666 S. Pepys Diary 10 June (1972) VII. 159 The Duke of York is wholly given up to his new mistress... Mr. Brouncker it seems was the pimp to bring it about . . ‘
‘skate, v.
1. a. intr. To glide over ice upon skates; to use skates as a means of exercise or pastime . .
1696 S. Sewall Diary 30 Nov. (1973) I. 360 Many Scholars go in the Afternoon to Scate on Fresh-pond . . ‘
‘skate, n.2 < Dutch schaats < Old Northern French escache . .
1. a. (a) A device consisting of a steel blade mounted in a wooden sole, and fixed to the boot by means of a screw and straps, used for the purpose of gliding over ice; in later use a similar device made entirely of steel and clamped, strapped, or otherwise attached to the boot. Chiefly used in pl. The blades are of varying length and curved or rounded at the toe.
. . 1662 S. Pepys Diary 1 Dec. (1970) III. 272 Over the parke (where I first in my life..did see people sliding with their sckeates, which is a very pretty art) . . ‘
‘Shamble < Old English sc(e)amel
. . 3. a. pl. A place where meat (or occas. fish) is sold, a flesh- or meat-market.
. . 1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures xxxiv. 137 This City hath an hundred and three score Butchers shambles, and in each of them an hundred stalls.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 292/2 At the Shambles, where they [sc. Butchers] sell their meat . . ‘
About Sunday 14 December 1662
Chris Squire UK • Link
OED has:
‘physically, adv.
1. Medically; medicinally; according to medical rules. Obs.
. . 1674 R. Godfrey Var. Injuries in Physick 208 To make it a Proverb, Qui Medicè vivit, miserè vivit, (i.e.) He that lives Physically, lives miserably.
1712 M. Henry Sober-mindedness in Wks. (1853) I. 70 Then it [sc. mirth] must be used like a medicine,—must be taken physically . . ‘
i.e. = ‘under doctor’s orders’
About Saturday 13 December 1662
Chris Squire UK • Link
OED has:
‘peruke, n. < Middle French perrucque . .
. . 2. a. A skullcap covered with hair so as to imitate the natural hair of the head; a wig; a periwig. In early use freq. in false (also artificial) peruke. Now hist. In quot. 1662 apparently: a lovelock.
In quot. 1846 identified as a smaller wig than a periwig and belonging to the reign of Charles II, but peruke is in fact found much earlier than this, and other authors identify it in sense with periwig.
. . 1613 J. Hayward Liues III. Normans 281 When their owne hair failed, they set artificiall Peruques, with long locks upon their heades.
1662 S. Pepys Diary 24 Mar. (1970) III. 51 By and by comes la Belle Perce to see my wife and to bring her a pair of peruques of hair . . ‘
About Thursday 11 December 1662
Chris Squire UK • Link
By ‘today’ Sasha means ‘this day’ = Dec 11 1662.
About Monday 8 December 1662
Chris Squire UK • Link
OED has:
‘behindhand, adv.
1. a. In arrear as to the discharge of one's liabilities, in a state of insolvency, in debt. (Const. with.)
. . 1618 a1645 W. Browne tr. M. Le Roy Hist. Polexander (1647) i. v. 134, I finde my selfe behindehand with him more than I am able to pay him.
1704 Swift Tale of Tub ii. 73 Having run something behind-hand with the World.
1752 Johnson Rambler No. 191. ⁋1 A cold which has..put me seventeen visits behind-hand.
b. In the position of a creditor, entitled to money which is in arrear.
1666 S. Pepys Diary 19 Dec. (1972) VII. 414 Many..are ready to starve, they being five years behindhand for their wages.’
and
‘doubt, v. < Middle English duten , douten , < Old French duter,
. . II. 5. trans. To dread, fear, be afraid of.
. . b. With infinitive phrase or objective clause: To fear, be afraid (that something uncertain will take or has taken place). arch. and dial.
. . 1665 S. Pepys Diary 27 Nov. (1972) VI. 387 Doubting that all will break in pieces in the Kingdom.
. . 6. In weakened sense
. . c. With infin. phrase or clause: To apprehend; to suspect. arch.
. . 1705 Wesley in T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. 28 Sept. My Flax [was] I doubt willfully fir'd and burnt . . ‘
It's sense 6.c. here. It is labeled ‘arch.’ =archaic. Our Hero still uses many turns of phrase current in the East Anglian countryside where he grew up but wholly or partly out of use in London in London English. It is still in common use in North Country vernacular: . . Long silence, then: “Ah doubt it’ll rain later” “Aye” Another long silence . .
About Wednesday 3 December 1662
Chris Squire UK • Link
OED has:
‘hot, adj. < A word inherited from Germanic.
. . II. Extended uses.
8. Excited (originally with reference to the attendant increase in bodily heat).
a. Of a person, action, etc.: characterized by intensity of feeling; fervent, passionate; zealous, eager, keen . .
. . 1667 S. Pepys Diary 12 July (1974) VIII. 332 The Duke of York..is hot for it.
1716 D. Ryder Diary 15 Aug. (1939) 296 Brother William is very hot upon it and would fain have it done out of hand . . ‘
About Tuesday 2 December 1662
Chris Squire UK • Link
OED has:
‘Australian, n. and adj. < French australien, < Latin austrālis, in Terra Australis ‘southern land,’ the title given, from 16th cent., to the supposed continent and islands lying in the Great Southern Ocean, for which Australia was at length substituted . .
A. n. 1. A native of the Terra Australis, including Australasia, Polynesia, and ‘Magellanica’. Obs.
2. a. An Australian Aboriginal . .
1693 New Discov. Terra Incogn. Austral. 163 It is easie to judge of the incomparability of the Australians with the people of Europe . . ‘
About Thursday 27 November 1662
Chris Squire UK • Link
OED has:
‘carfax | carfox, n. < Middle English carfuks . . < Latin quadrifurcus four-forked . . it is not quite clear how this came into English . .
1. A place where four roads or streets meet. (Sometimes extended to more than four.)
. . 1662 E. Phillips New World Eng. Words Carefox, quasi, quatre-four, or a place parted into four wayes, a market place in Oxford. [1678 Carfax.] . . ‘
‘carfour | carrefour, n. < French carrefour, in 13th cent. quarrefour : see carfax n.
A place where four ways meet, a ‘carfax’. (Formerly quite naturalized, but now treated only as French.)
. . 1652 J. Evelyn State of France 109 You walk the streets and publick Carfours . . ‘
About Tuesday 25 November 1662
Chris Squire UK • Link
OED has:
‘fit v. . . III. trans. To make fit.
. . 6. b. To render (a person) competent or qualified. Const. as above.
. . 1647 J. Trapp Mellificium Theol. in Comm. Epist. & Rev. 681 Such as fits a man for some particular calling.
1671 Milton Paradise Regain'd i. 73 Who..Pretends to..fit them so Purified to receive him pure . . ‘
About Monday 24 November 1662
Chris Squire UK • Link
OED has:
‘club, v. < club n Middle English clubbe < Old Norse klubba . .
. . 8. a. To combine in making up a sum (as the cost or expense of an entertainment, etc.) by a number of individual contributions; to go shares in the cost of anything . .
. . 1662 S. Pepys Diary 24 Nov. (1970) III. 266 How he did endeavour to find out a ninepence to club with me for the coach . . ‘
About Sunday 23 November 1662
Chris Squire UK • Link
Audley is reported to have multiplied his wealth 2,000-fold in in 57 years, implying he doubled it every 5 years = 14 % p.a. average compound interest.
I don’t believe it.
About Friday 21 November 1662
Chris Squire UK • Link
Chronic coughs and bronchitis were much commoner then than now. It was the Little Ice Age, so colder then than now; houses were damper and draughtier; and above all, there was fog, so common as to pass unmentioned, made worse by the polluted air from 1000s of coal fires.
Be grateful for the Clean Air Act of 1956, climate change, double glazing, draught proofing and damp courses in houses and for gas fired central heating.
About Tuesday 18 November 1662
Chris Squire UK • Link
OED has:
‘crow n. , Old English cráwe . .
. . 3.b. to have a crow to pluck or pull . .with any one: to have something disagreeable or awkward to settle with him; to have a matter of dispute, or something requiring explanation, to clear up; to have some fault to find with him . .
. . a1616 Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iii. i. 84 If a crow help vs in, sirra, wee'll plucke a crow together.
1662 S. Pepys Diary 18 Nov. (1970) III. 261 He and I very kind, but I every day expect to pull a crow with him about our lodgings . . ‘