Who here gets irritated at how women are drawn on fantasy book covers?
It’s better than it used to be, but I still run across ridiculous illustrations of supposed swordswomen who would be killed in their first fight because their armour doesn’t cover all their vulnerable parts.
I’d like to use this terrible state of affairs to help explain when you should use farther vs. further.
Farther is used to describe actual physical distances.
Further is used to describe figurative distances.
To show the difference, let’s imagine a one-sided conversation between an illustrated woman and her book cover artist.
Woman: You know I can run farther in these impractical high-heeled boots than you ever could in your sensible footwear. Not that I want to. Seriously, who wears these things?
Artist: Hears nothing. Too busy focusing on the book details. Hmm, maybe the heels aren’t high enough…
Woman: If you push this any further, I’ll be forced to kick you where it hurts. Then you’ll be sorry for giving me these boots.
Artist: Looks up and frowns. After a brief pause, shakes his head irritably, then gets back to work.
Woman: You’re not good at listening, are you. Didn’t you read the book blurb? We’re travelling farther than anyone else has ever journeyed before, through freezing wastelands and frost giant-infested mountains. What possessed you to give me a skimpy top that I wouldn’t be caught dead in? And I will be dead if I wear that. I wouldn’t last through the night, let alone through my first fight!
Artist: Examines the drawing closely. Exclaims in triumph and starts adding a necklace that dangles between her bare cleavage.
Woman: You have a lot further to go in your understanding of women, pal. The modern definition of femininity includes practical clothing and jewelry that won’t strangle me while I’m kicking butt. So put a coat on me already. Or I quit!
Artist: Starts wondering if the cleavage is big enough. Maybe a skimpy vest to help emphasize those curves?
Woman: That’s it, I’m out. I’ll be somewhere far, far away. So don’t come looking for me.
Artist: Blinks at a suddenly empty page. Closes his eyes, then looks again. Maybe not quite an empty page. In tiny letters scrawled at the bottom of the page, he sees a message: These boots are made for walking…
Bonus Word: Femininity
One of my readers has noted that femininity is difficult to spell, and that it’s easy to write feminity. An interesting tidbit you may not know: Back in the fourteenth century, both of these spellings were used. Over time, femininity has become the standard. Probably because it matches the number of syllables in the corresponding word masculinity.
So if you accidentally spell feminity, you can take comfort in the idea that you are right, but have the bad luck to be living in the wrong century. 🙂
***
Note: This post has a North American slant. In British English, further is often used for both meanings.
This post is dedicated to Lori MacLaughlin and Ameena.
Definitions are from Garner’s Modern American Usage.
Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post, where I will grapple with the ghastly letter G…
© Sue Archer and Doorway Between Worlds, 2015
I had no idea that there was a difference between farther and further, but now I know further is a figurative distance indicator.
That’s also cool to know about femininity and feminity. (I want to make sure I stay in this century.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we need to make sure our slang is current and not so 700 years ago… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I couldn’t stop laughing at the exchange or lack there of between the woman and the artist. Great lesson today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Maryann! Glad you had fun with it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I do get irritated at how women are drawn on fantasy book covers! If the women protagonist needs to fight, run, travels through rogue land and all weather manifestations, she needs to wear protecting apparel.
I enjoyed the dialogue between women and artist! Your bonus word was nicely tied in with the subject matter. Keep those bonus word coming! Learning words and discussing Fantasy book – cannot ask for more in one post 🙂 thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, there are a lot of things thrown in there today! Glad it was the perfect mix for you, Nicole. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m afraid I always use further – now I know better! And I’m irritated at the way women are portrayed in many, many places….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Anabel, this post does have a bit of a North American slant…my understanding is that in British English, further is sometimes used to describe physical distance as well as figurative.
And I’m waiting for the day I can stop being irritated at these things, but I’m afraid that day will be a long time coming…
LikeLike
Ah, that makes me feel better. Perhaps I’m not using it incorrectly after all!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, thank you, thank you – those definitions finally make those two words make sense 🙂 Also, yes, the way women are represented is often very annoying. What makes it utterly obvious is when artists make a point and dress the men the same way and it looks totally ridiculous.
Tasha
Tasha’s Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Tasha, it does look totally ridiculous! It’s sad how they are underestimating their audience, too.
LikeLike
Love the interaction between the artist and the character! Funny scenarios like this help cement the concepts in our heads. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Carrie! I’m glad it was memorable for you, I had a lot of fun writing this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another awesome short. I thought of you today when I was having trouble spelling cannibalism (nevermind why…. I’m a writer!) My computer wouldn’t recognize it at all until I spelled it correctly. But double consonants always trip me up. 🙂
Have you ever seen Chainmail Bikini Squad? I think you might enjoy it.
Alex Hurst, A Fantasy Author in Kyoto
A-Z Blogging in April Participant
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cannibalism…should I be worried, Alex? 😉 No, I have not seen Chainmail Bikini Squad, but with a name like that, I definitely need to!
LikeLiked by 1 person
NSFW, haha.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I checked this out, and wow! Love that moment where they snap the wand. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, kinda sad they didn’t get more episodes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ugh, I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but for me it’s an instant turn off. Forever annoyed with how female characters are depicted on book/comic book covers, film posters, and in video games.
Thank you for the tip on farther/further, I’ll remember it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll admit, I’ve had books that I put down because of the cover. Someday things will hopefully improve!
LikeLike
I’m with you on the book covers. It’s not just that it’s sexist, it’s also as cheesy as hell. I understand that sex sells but those Harry Potter books shifted a bucketload and I didn’t see anyone in a bikini on the cover.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are cheesy! (Yikes…trying to imagine Hermione in a bikini, and that’s just yucky!) A good book should be able to stand on its own merits. When I see these types of covers, I tend to be suspicious of the quality of the writing.
LikeLike
Hee, hee! Love it! I’m going to be laughing about that one all day, and probably the rest of the week. Thanks! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic! Thanks, Lori. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes I do get the two confused.
It really does aggravate me when I see so many women who are supposed to be superheroes or a fighter of some kind with cleavage out to here and there crotches nearly showing. It’s terrible how people view women, and how everyone thinks this will sell.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, superheroes can be really problematic that way…the way they dress someone like Supergirl drives me bananas!
LikeLike
Thank you, Ms. Sue! The Lady did not know the difference between further and farther, so this has been most enlightening!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad the Lady found this helpful, Albert. Tell her I said hi! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this post, especially ‘These boots were meant for walking…’ I wasn’t aware about the differences in femininity. The historical tidbit is fascinating 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you loved the boots! That one just popped into my head as I was writing it. I love learning about the history of words, because there’s always something surprising to dig up. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post! alas, I am stuck in the wrong century. Either I arrived way to late, or much to early. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL Shawn! Hopefully you will find your way. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello,
I do use femininity, but I’m still from a different century 🙂 Enjoyed all your posts, especially the braid/plait one – for me, braid is brayed but plait is platt. Portrayals of women in many places annoy me, not just on book covers. Well illustrated point and liked the humour. Thanks for some great reads.
Best wishes,
Nilanjana
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome, Nilanjana! I think many of us are from a different century. 🙂 Thanks for letting me know that plait is platt for you – it seems there are a lot of variations with this word. I’m so glad you liked my posts. I appreciate you commenting!
LikeLike
Thanks so much for this. I’ve never known the difference between the two… that’s why I misuse them so often 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t worry, most of us do! It’s a very subtle distinction, and so one I thought would be interesting to tackle.
LikeLike
I never even thought about the difference between those words before.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I used them without thinking about it for a long time, until I found out there was a difference…and sometimes I still forget! 🙂
LikeLike
You are so talented! I need to read your “about” section again. You would be such an excellent high school English teacher.
i did not know the difference between “farther” and “further”. One of my favorite phrases from my
favorite part of one of my favorite books is: “Come further up, come further in”
““I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now…Come further up, come further in!” ― C.S. Lewis, The Last Battle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much! I have done some training in a business environment, but I haven’t had the opportunity to be an English teacher. 🙂
I love the Chronicles of Narnia, and I remember that line. (Being British, C.S. Lewis would naturally use ‘further’ for everything.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought that maybe since there is that allegory element in all of the books in that series, that he might have had the figurative sense in mind. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re absolutely right! It works on both levels. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This almost reminded me of the Daffy Duck cartoon when he is having it out with the one drawing him.
Equal rights starts with equal syllables! Or something like that. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! I’ve seen that one. Thanks for the memory. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for explaining this. I have the hardest time with these two words!
Stephanie
http://stephie5741.blogspot.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Stephanie! I’m happy my post was helpful for you.
LikeLike
Once I learned the difference between farther & further a few years ago I started hearing errors everywhere!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, the curse of knowledge…sometimes it’s easier not to learn these things. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The difference between farther and further is something I’m aware of, but I’m not sure it’s actually taken hold in my brain yet. So your post is a great reminder!
And, yes, the metal bikinis are annoying. They’re also prevalent in the gaming world (I imagine they’re prevalent anywhere that’s fantasy-related in general). But it is, like you say, getting better. And that’s a good thing. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, definitely a good thing! Let’s hope things continue to improve. 🙂
LikeLike
Excellent explanation, and I have to say, I love the example you used to illuminate the differences. Amazing work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I shall use this excuse for all things: I am right. Unfortunately, I live in the wrong century.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a marvelous excuse, isn’t it? Glad I could pass it on to you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, to think “feminity” was used in the olden days, is comforting. Atleast, i would have been right then 😁. Awww, thank you for the dedication 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Ameena! Thank you for giving me the idea. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the examples in all your posts, but this one is the best. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Somehow I knew you would like this one, Hannah! 🙂 Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! Best illustration of this EVER 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I’m so happy you liked it!
LikeLike
Oh I didn’t know that was how to differentiate farther and further! I’ve been using further in both cases till now – oops!
And yes I find it incredibly annoying how women can be portrayed on fantasy book covers. To be fair, I often find it irritating how they are portrayed inside the books too – but that’s a whole other issue 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
In British English, further is considered acceptable for both uses, so I wouldn’t worry!
And I second you on how women are portrayed on the inside of books…that would be a really long post! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it would be. It’s part of what’s really fun to be writing fiction – I get to do what I want with my female characters so I can look at women who actually interest me.
LikeLiked by 1 person