when 'historic' and when 'historical?

[gigglewitch]

have heard something on radio 4 - obv correct but i did beg to differ. Then began to wonder which to use and when. Thoroughly confusing myself in the process

I eagerly await the comments of the mumsnet pedant population

without thinking about it too much, I would said 'historic' = 'famous, important" ie 'a historic moment'.

'historical' = related to history ie 'a historical novel'

I expect there are other more subtle distinctions too. The words are starting to look funny now though, so I'm going to leave it at that

'would say' not 'would said'

If the thing itself is part of history then it is historic, if the thing is about history then it is historical. An historic novel is a novel that was/is very famous and important i.e. it's publication is part of history. An historical novel is a novel set in a certain time in history. Lady Chatterley's Lover is both historic and historical. IMHO.

"historic = Part of history - ie was before or will be now.

"historical" - in the past, recent or far.

fantastic. thanks, fellow pedant-esses such clear explanations. I knew I could rely on you lot

so, radio 4 may actually have been wrong

It has been known

so what did they say, gigglewitch?

the pedant jury is waiting

I swear this didn't sound right...
" -an historic account of Victorian life..." Ok, so it was just the link between programs, continuity or whatever they call it, but still.
btw, the programme itself was fascinating, this looks like a transcript.

It's possible it was an historic account. More likely to have been historical though. However being the time sat night it is I haven't read the transcript.

Am sure mumsnet is right though, not radio 4.

I think 'historic' sounds right here, gigglewitch. Possibly. I mean, was it an particular important or famous account?

'historical' would sound redundant to me here on the grounds that, as it is an account of Victorian life it is by its nature historical. So no need to say it.

But what I really hate there is the 'an' before 'historic'. They do it in front of 'hotel' too. On the grounds that posh people used not to pronounce the 'h' I imagine. I think it's old-fashioned and should be banned.

(I am a modernizing pedant, me )