Language evolves, and as time passes, we lose words that once held deep, specific meanings. But some of these forgotten words are worth reviving—they offer more precision, nuance, or even humor than many of our modern expressions. Here, I’ll introduce a few intriguing, forgotten words from English and other languages that I believe are ripe for a comeback. Let’s dive into the meanings of these words and explore how they could enrich our language today.
1. Groke
- Meaning: To stare at someone while they eat, hoping they’ll share.
- Worth Reviving: Adds humor to social situations and dining.
2. Snollygoster
- Meaning: A politician with no principles.
- Worth Reviving: Apt for describing manipulative politics.
3. Ultracrepidarian
- Meaning: Someone giving opinions beyond their expertise.
- Worth Reviving: Perfect for social media discussions.
4. Apricity
- Meaning: The warmth of the sun in winter.
- Worth Reviving: Captures a universally cozy experience.
5. Petrichor
- Meaning: The earthy smell after rain.
- Worth Reviving: Adds poetic description to natural phenomena.
6. Overmorrow
- Meaning: The day after tomorrow.
- Worth Reviving: Adds clarity and efficiency to scheduling.
7. Sillage
- Meaning: The lingering scent left by perfume.
- Worth Reviving: Ideal for descriptions in literature.
8. Philocalist
- Meaning: A lover of beauty.
- Worth Reviving: Highlights someone’s appreciation for aesthetic.
9. Quomodocunquizing
- Meaning: Making money in any way possible.
- Worth Reviving: Useful in financial contexts and critiques.
10. Soporific
- Meaning: Something that induces drowsiness or sleep.
- Worth Reviving: A polite way to describe dull activities or speeches.
11. Jocoserious
- Meaning: A blend of jest and seriousness.
- Worth Reviving: Great for describing a playful conversation with depth.
12. Respair
- Meaning: Fresh hope after despair.
- Worth Reviving: Offers a unique word for overcoming struggles.
13. Gallimaufry
- Meaning: A hodgepodge or jumble.
- Worth Reviving: Perfect for describing messy situations or items.
14. Fudgel
- Meaning: Pretending to work when you’re not.
- Worth Reviving: Useful in modern office humor.
15. Twattling
- Meaning: Gossiping idly.
- Worth Reviving: A more colorful term for trivial chatter.
16. Crapulous
- Meaning: Feeling sick from excessive indulgence, especially in food or drink.
- Worth Reviving: Describes a common holiday season sensation.
17. Lanspresado
- Meaning: Someone who arrives at a party without money but expects others to pay.
- Worth Reviving: A fun word for social gatherings.
18. Quixotic
- Meaning: Idealistic but impractical.
- Worth Reviving: Describes certain people or projects perfectly.
19. Dysania
- Meaning: Difficulty getting out of bed in the morning.
- Worth Reviving: Relatable for night owls and insomniacs alike.
20. Raconteur
- Meaning: A talented storyteller.
- Worth Reviving: Adds flair to descriptions of skilled speakers.
21. Mumpsimus
- Meaning: Stubbornly sticking to old habits.
- Worth Reviving: Perfect for describing resistant personalities.
22. Peregrinate
- Meaning: To travel or wander around.
- Worth Reviving: A poetic term for travel enthusiasts.
23. Momist
- Meaning: A harsh critic or faultfinder.
- Worth Reviving: Suitable for those who nitpick unnecessarily.
24. Velleity
- Meaning: A mild wish or desire without effort to achieve it.
- Worth Reviving: Captures common daydreaming tendencies.
25. Brabble
- Meaning: A quarrel about something trivial.
- Worth Reviving: Ideal for describing petty arguments.
26. Lethologica
- Meaning: The inability to remember a specific word.
- Worth Reviving: A relatable experience, especially for writers.
27. Schadenfreude
- Meaning: Taking pleasure in someone else’s misfortune.
- Worth Reviving: Common enough to deserve a unique term.
28. Clinomania
- Meaning: An excessive desire to stay in bed.
- Worth Reviving: Apt for describing cozy mornings.
29. Pogonotrophy
- Meaning: The act of growing a beard.
- Worth Reviving: Great for beard enthusiasts or grooming culture.
30. Cacophony
- Meaning: A harsh mix of sounds.
- Worth Reviving: Ideal for describing chaotic audio experiences.
31. Melancholia
- Meaning: A profound, lingering sadness.
- Worth Reviving: Offers depth to emotional vocabulary.
32. Bibliopole
- Meaning: A person who buys and sells books.
- Worth Reviving: Useful for avid readers and book collectors.
33. Nefelibata
- Meaning: A person who lives in the clouds of their imagination.
- Worth Reviving: Perfect for describing dreamers.
34. Grumbletonian
- Meaning: Someone who is constantly dissatisfied.
- Worth Reviving: Describes perpetually grumpy individuals.
35. Yarborough
- Meaning: A hand of cards without any face cards.
- Worth Reviving: Fun for card players and fans of games.
36. Skulduggery
- Meaning: Underhanded or deceitful behavior.
- Worth Reviving: Adds mystery to tales of mischief.
37. Bibble
- Meaning: To drink often, or to eat and/or drink noisily.
- Worth Reviving: A quirky term for messy eaters.
38. Acedia
- Meaning: A kind of spiritual or mental sloth.
- Worth Reviving: Fits modern times and moments of burnout.
39. Hoddy-Noddy
- Meaning: A foolish person.
- Worth Reviving: A lighthearted way to describe silliness.
40. Simplicity
- Meaning: Freedom from complexity.
- Worth Reviving: Encourages clarity and ease in modern life.
Table: Expanded Reference for 40 Forgotten Words
| Word | Meaning | Why It’s Worth Reviving |
|---|---|---|
| Groke | To stare at someone eating, hoping to get some | Adds humor in social dining contexts |
| Snollygoster | An unprincipled politician | Great for political discourse |
| Ultracrepidarian | Giving opinions on unknown topics | Apt for social media situations |
| Apricity | Warmth of the sun in winter | Romanticizes a seasonal sensation |
| Petrichor | The earthy smell after rain | Adds sensory detail to descriptions |
| Overmorrow | The day after tomorrow | Clearer future planning |
| Sillage | Lingering perfume scent | Great for literary use |
| Philocalist | Lover of beauty | Elegant praise for aesthetic lovers |
| Quomodocunquizing | Earning money any way possible | Useful in financial contexts |
| Dysania | Struggle to rise in the morning | Relatable for sleepy personalities |
| Raconteur | Skilled storyteller | Elevates descriptions of speakers |
| Lethologica | Inability to recall a word | Relatable for writers and thinkers |
| Schadenfreude | Enjoying another’s misfortune | Common enough for frequent use |
| Grumbletonian | Perpetually dissatisfied person | Ideal for describing constant complainers |
Conclusion
These forgotten words not only add variety and precision to language but also bring humor, emotional depth, and elegance to modern conversations. Introducing these words into daily language can make interactions richer and more expressive, offering a glimpse into the diverse, quirky, and poetic history of language.
