Pygmalion Vocabulary and Language Guide
In the Norton Anthology version of the script, the editors have inserted many helpful
footnotes for the benefit of the reader. Many of these footnotes help with the understanding of
language and vocabulary (such as what sixpence is), but there are some things that are not
addressed. Below are some helps in addition to the footnotes found in the script. The vocabulary
is keeping in mind words that the students may already recognize but may not be familiar with.
Language
1. I. 3-4
• Line: “Not so long. But he ought to have got us a cab by this.”
• Translation: “Freddy hasn’t been gone that long. But he should have gotten us a cab
by now.”
2. I. SD after line 40
• This note, written by Shaw himself, states that he cannot keep up trying to write
Eliza’s dialect without using a phonetic alphabet. One such alphabet would be the
International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), which would be illegible to anyone who was
unfamiliar with it. It is what Higgins is taking notes in and why Eliza cannot read it
(see lines 96-102). He is using his own alphabet, however (see line 229).
2. I.37
• Line: “How do you know that my son’s name is Freddy, pray?”
• Translation: The word “pray” here simply means “please tell me.” It is short for “pray
tell.”
3. I.84
• Line: “Don’t let him charge me.”
• Translation: Eliza believes Higgins to be a police officer’s informer (“copper’s nark”)
who is taking notes about her behavior. If she were to be charged with some sort of
crime or disrespect to Pickering, she could, as she says in line 85, be unable to find
work because of it and thus end up as a prostitute to pay her way.
4. I.234
• Line: “Let’s have a jaw over some supper.”
• Translation: “Let’s chat over dinner.”
Vocabulary
Act I
• Line 10: Gumption – Spirited initiative and resourcefulness.
• Line 32: Draught – A current of air. Usually refers to one that intrudes into an enclosed
space.
• SD after line 36:
o Plinth – The block/slab upon which a column is placed.
o Shoddy – An English slang meaning shabby.
• SD after line 60:
o Amiable – Kind and/or friendly.
o Plight – An unfortunate situation.
o Retirement – in this instance, this word refers to the daughter’s action of leaving
the area.
Kovalenko
BYU, 2012
14
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SD after line 82:
o Deprecating – Thinking little of or bringing the worth down of.
o Staid – With straight-laced dignity and steady character.
o Row – A fight or commotion.
SD before line 109:
o Espionage – Spying.
Line 114:
o Blooming – British slang used to emphasize something. It would be pronounced
“bloomin’” as it was used by lower classes. It is the equivalent of the American
slang word “freaking,” which would be pronounced “friggin.”
o Busybody – A person who pries into the affairs of others.
Line 142: “Truck” – Eliza is basically saying “I don’t want any beef with him.” She does
not want to start an argument or have any hard feelings created.
SD after line 167: Repudiate – to reject the validity or the authority of.
Line 193: Brogue – A strong dialectical accent (most especially Irish or Scottish sounds
when speaking English).
Line 212: Bilious – Ill-tempered. Literally means “of or pertaining to bile.”
Line 224: Miltonic lines – Higgins is referring to John Milton’s poetry and the way he
writes.
SD before line 240: Mendacity – Untruthfulness.
Act II
• Line 21: Queer – Strange.
• SD before 219: Remonstrance – An expression of complaint or protest against
grievances.
• Line 411: Blackguard – An unprincipled person; a rogue.
Act III
• Line 224: Ship’s forecastle – Located on the upper deck at the bow in front of the
foremast. The crew is usually housed there.
• Line 269: Sanguinary – Accompanied by bloodshed; bloodthirsty.
Act IV
• Line 47: Superlatively – Something to the highest degree. Usually excessive.
• Line 139: Togs – Clothing.
• SD after 164: Dudgeon – Anger or resentment. Indignant.
• SD after 170: Perfunctorily – Showing little interest or care.
Act V
• Line 110: Worrited – To worrit is to tease or worry. It is a word specific to Doolittle’s
dialect.
• SD after 375: Magnanimous – Altruistic; great-hearted and giving.
Kovalenko
BYU, 2012
15