Pedants Corner

[Poyks]

I think it would be fun to have a light hearted nit pickers thread, where the more pedantic members among us can get our teeth into the details of the novel.

[Poyks]

To get the ball rolling....
"My wife pointed out to me the brightness of the red, green and yellow signal lights, hanging in a framework against the sky. It seemed so safe and tranquil."

I always read that yellow (distant) railway signals were introduced in 1925. Can anyone explain the yellow signal light in this quote?

[miketrak]

You are quite right Poyks,
Yellow lights (In Distant signals) were only introduced much later than the book. At the time, Red, Green, and white were the colours used. Green meaning 'Caution', and White 'Clear'. Red I trust, is pretty obvious! One of the main reasons for the change is that the colours were not 'fail safe'. I.E. If the red glass was smashed for some reason, the signal would show a white 'clear' indication.

There was much discussion between railway companies before yellow was introduced, as some said yellow could look 'greenish' under certain conditions. blue or purple was muted for a while!

As all the signals at the time of the book were oil or gas lit, the lamp flame may look yellow to a non-railwayman, (Wells ) when the signal was cleared. As it's not the pure 'lunar white' we can have now.

Mike.

[Poyks]

That makes good sense about the oil or gas light being yellow. Cheers Mike.

This next one is not intended to be course or rude, I maybe just need an engish lesson.

"His landlady came to the door, loosely wrapped in dressing gown and shawl; her husband followed, ejaculating."

Someone please come to the recue of my wounded innocent mind!

[EvilNerfherder]

Hmm.
That is basically used in the context of another word for 'exclaimed', or 'utter suddenly'.
As you know, it's taken different connotations so it's not really used in the old context anymore.
You dirty boy.
(But, then again, they could've been on the job at the time)