Friday 11 March 2016

Obsolete words

Can you reintroduce any of these fabulous words into your everyday conversation? 


Snoutfair: A person with a handsome countenance

Pussyvan: A flurry, temper

Wonder-wench: A sweetheart

Lunting: Walking while smoking a pipe

California widow: A married woman whose husband is away from her for any extended period (locally and historically 'Bendigo or Ballarat widow would work) Also FIFO widow?

Groak: To silently watch someone while they are eating, hoping to be invited to join them

Jirble: To pour out (a liquid) with an unsteady hand eg he jirbles out a dram

Curglaff: The shock felt in bathing when one first plunges into the cold water

Spermologer: A picker-up of trivia, of current news, a gossip monger

Tyromancy: Divining by the coagulation of cheese

Beef-witted: Having an inactive brain, thought to be from eating two much beef

Englishable: That which may be rendered into English

Resistentialism: The seemingly spiteful behaviour shown by inanimate objects

Bookwright: A writer of books

Zafty: A person very easily imposed upon

2 comments:

Robyn Campbell said...

Hahaha, they seem just right for picture books.

Claire said...

My thoughts exactly! Some seem almost invented for picture books
Claire