Five More Obsolete Words We Need to Bring Back Into Common Usage

Jeevan Sivasubramaniam Posted by Jeevan Sivasubramaniam, Managing Director, Editorial, Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.



In the last newsletter, I listed five words from the English language that have become obsolete but were so powerful that they really needed to be brought back into common usage. This piece was one of the most popular pieces in the entire series!

So, in keeping with the tradition of not changing what works well, here are five more words that have become obsolete and yet need to be revived:

1. Groak (height of popular usage in the 1500s): To watch someone eat in hopes that you will be invited to join them at their table. What an amazing single-syllable word to describe this complex yet common sentiment!

2. Elflocks (height of popular usage in the late 1500s): Matted or tangled hair. The reason they were called elflocks was because such hair often looked like an elf had snuck up while the person was sleeping or unaware and intentionally messed their hair.

3. Curglaff (height of popular use in Scotland in the 1800s): The shocking sensation one feels when plunging into icy cold water. This word sounds as rough as what it describes.

4. Brabble (height of popular use in the early 1500s): To argue loudly about something inconsequential or unimportant. Say this word loudly over and over and it actually sounds like a unpleasant and pointless argument.

5. Lunting (height of popular use in the early 1800s): The act of walking while smoking a pipe. This was actually considered a meditative practice and a good way to think through things.