'an old-fashioned look'

[avasbar]

hello

Does anyone know what is meant by ' an old-fashioned look'

thanks
Laura

[5jj]

It can mean several things. It would help us give you the answer you are looking for if you provided some context.

[avasbar]

I've seen it in a book written by Alistair McCall recently, and have come across it before, though couldn't now give you a particular context. And I didn't understand the meaning at the time anyway!


What are the various possible meanings then? I'd be interested in them all!

many thanks
Laura

[Rover_KE]

Laura, you could do worse than look at this site from another forum.

Rover

[5jj]

Laura, you do worse than look at this site from another forum

That forum also has the useful guideline:

Please explain the context of the usage; that will allow people to give you a sensible answer.

[avasbar]

Many thanks to all the contributors to the discussion.
Now I will have to look up what pondial means!

I now understand the phrase to mean, quizzical with a strong aspect of disapproval. I would add looking down your nose with a 'dog's bottom' pursing of the lips, or that of a bad smell under the nose.

I imagine it is the sort of look Lady Bracknell would give on frequent occasions - I think the 'old-fashioned' does indeed refer to the older generation's general disapproval of what the 'young people today' get up to, and get away with!!

Once again, apologies for lack of context - I too thought it was obvious I was referring to a facial expression/look, rather than the wearing of out-dated fashion - but as I have already said, I no longer remember the precise circumstances in the books I read.

I do recall though that one of the books was by Mary Wesley and as mentioned previously, the other was from the Sunday Philosopher series by Alistair McCall Smith.

Either way, the expression is itself clearly quite old-fashioned.

Thanks again.