Nowl burn the aitch is a phrase that originated in Scotland and is used to express frustration or annoyance with a situation or person. The phrase can be traced back to the 16th century and is believed to have derived from the Scots language. The phrase "nowl burn the aitch" is often used in colloquial conversation and is typically delivered with emphasis to convey a strong sense of irritation. The word "nowl" is a Scots term for the head, while "burn" refers to the act of setting something on fire. "Aitch" is a variation of the letter 'h' in the alphabet. The inherent meaning of the phrase is not to be taken literally, but rather as a figurative expression of frustration.
Don Gillies
It would be easy for Nix to use magic as a solution for everything in his book, but he reminds readers through the words of Truthful s guardian that if something can be done without magic, it should be. She longs for the excitement of city life, and after a precious magical heirloom is stolen from under her nose on her eighteenth birthday, she receives adventure in spades.
The inherent meaning of the phrase is not to be taken literally, but rather as a figurative expression of frustration. It can be seen as an intensified version of saying "damn it" or "to hell with it." When someone says "nowl burn the aitch," they are expressing their exasperation and dissatisfaction with a particular situation, person, or event.
Newt’s Emerald by Garth Nix
Truthful Newington, daughter of a retired Admiral, lives in the English countryside where nothing much happens. She longs for the excitement of city life, and after a precious magical heirloom is stolen from under her nose on her eighteenth birthday, she receives adventure in spades. Truthful sets out for London, intent on finding her family’s emerald, a stone which is supposed to help one control the weather. Once in London, it becomes apparent that a proper lady cannot go gallivanting all over the city looking for a stolen jewel, so she reluctantly disguises herself as her French cousin, Henri, in order to freely search. Along the way, she makes the acquaintance of Charles, a handsome but aloof army man who agrees to help “Henri” find the emerald, and who may just be clever enough to not only locate the missing stone but to be a fantastic match for the wit of Lady Truthful Newington.
Part Jane Austen, part Scarlet Pimpernel, part heist novel, and part magic, this story is a delightful read for those who enjoy Regency pieces. Nix weaves fantasy elements into his story with a skilled hand, from the idea that all well-bred families possess the ability to work some magic, to the hilarious mustache Truthful wears which helps build a glamour so she appears more like “Henri,” to the distinction between good and malignant magic. It would be easy for Nix to use magic as a solution for everything in his book, but he reminds readers through the words of Truthful’s guardian that if something can be done without magic, it should be.
While this book is lovely and well written, it does contain some cautions. Several characters swear, and only apologize when they know a lady is present. Alcohol is consumed in the story and talked about frequently. There are also several action sequences where shots are fired, punches are thrown, brawls occur, and murder is attempted (although thwarted). The villain perishes by an arrow through the eye and a nasty fall. The magic system is woven seamlessly through the narrative, but some families might find talk of “divining an outcome” too much. The only thing that is ever really “divined” is that a large group of people will attend a party.
If you have an older teen who enjoys Regency drama, and who has read things like Shakespeare or The Scarlet Pimpernel, this would be an enjoyable read. If you are looking for something a bit tamer by the same author, try Garth Nix’s Frogkisser!
Cautions: Language (Damn, one instance of a villain using the word hell-bitch, several uses of “My God”), Violence (see above), Drinking (see above), Magic (see above)
Overall Rating: 3.75 (out of 5)
Worldview/Moral Value: 3.5
Artistic Value: 4.0
*Image courtesy of Amazon
Truthful Newington, daughter of a retired Admiral, lives in the English countryside where nothing much happens. She longs for the excitement of city life, and after a precious magical heirloom is stolen from under her nose on her eighteenth birthday, she receives adventure in spades. Truthful sets out for London, intent on finding her family’s emerald, a stone which is supposed to help one control the weather. Once in London, it becomes apparent that a proper lady cannot go gallivanting all over the city looking for a stolen jewel, so she reluctantly disguises herself as her French cousin, Henri, in order to freely search. Along the way, she makes the acquaintance of Charles, a handsome but aloof army man who agrees to help “Henri” find the emerald, and who may just be clever enough to not only locate the missing stone but to be a fantastic match for the wit of Lady Truthful Newington.
The phrase has become a part of Scottish cultural and linguistic heritage, often used in informal settings or among close friends and family. It adds a touch of humor and authenticity to conversations and helps to convey emotions effectively. In conclusion, "nowl burn the aitch" is a Scottish phrase used to express frustration or annoyance. While its origins can be traced back centuries, it remains a popular and colorful expression in Scottish vernacular..
Reviews for "The Influence of Nowl Burn the Aitch in Popular Culture"
1. John - 2 stars - I really wanted to like "Nowl burn the aitch" because I had heard great things about it, but I was so disappointed. The writing style was incredibly confusing and hard to follow. The plot was all over the place and I struggled to understand what was happening. The characters were not well-developed and I couldn't connect with any of them. Overall, I found it to be a confusing and frustrating read.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I honestly don't understand what all the hype about "Nowl burn the aitch" is. I found it to be incredibly boring and slow-paced. The story dragged on and on, with nothing much happening. The writing was pretentious and trying too hard to be deep and meaningful. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real depth. I couldn't wait to finish this book and move on to something more engaging.
3. Mark - 2 stars - "Nowl burn the aitch" was not my cup of tea. The writing style felt unnecessarily convoluted and made it difficult to understand what was going on. The story itself lacked coherence and I found myself getting lost multiple times. The characters were unrelatable and their motivations were unclear. I ended up not caring about what happened to them. Overall, I found this book to be a frustrating and confusing read.