Wednesday, November 09, 2022

Words to Bring Back


A recent meme circulating on Facebook offered a list of archaic words that should be brought back into general use. I thought most of them were cute, but not especially useful, although I heartily endorse these:

Bedward (adv) - heading toward bed. Any more, it describes my favorite time of day. 

Brabble (v) - to argue loudly. I don't know the original derivation, but it seems to be a combination of bray (like a donkey) and babble. It seems like a very good word to describe current political arguments.

Gorgonize (v) - have a paralyzing effect on someone. It comes, of course, from the mythical gorgon, who was so hideous that anyone looking at her would turn to stone. In current use, it refers (for me, anyhow) to the mental paralysis caused by listening to some of the asinine political discourse that passes nowadays for rational thought.

Jargoyle (v) - to confuse. Apparently a portmanteau resulting from the combination of jargon and gargoyle. I prefer to think of it as a noun rather than a verb, describing a grotesque figure spouting nonsense. Examples can be found throughout the Trump family and in a large number of Republicans running for Congress or already members thereof.

Malagrugrous (adj) - dismal, depressing, dreary, or gloomy. A particularly useful word for describing American politics.

Osculable (adj) - able or worthy to be kissed. A related word is osculation, a fancy term for kissing. I love the expression posterior osculation, a fancy way of saying "ass kissing."

And finally,

Snool (n) - a servile toady who tamely submits to abuse. See, "Mike Pence."

Do you have any other old or obsolete words you think should be brought back? Or new words that ought to be in the dictionary, but aren't (also known as sniglets)? Leave a comment.

Have a good day. Don't be a malagrugrous jargoyle.

More thoughts coming.

Bilbo

4 comments:

Mike said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
allenwoodhaven said...

These are great! I don't have any to contribute but do think old expressions, like dagnabit and drats, should come back.

River said...

Forsooth and Verily.

Mike said...

Bedback - taking a nap.

Fixed.