27 Obsolete Words – Part I

Good morning!

How are you on this beautiful Friday?

Here at ABA English we just finished reading this fantastic article on 27 words that are no longer used much in the English language. It’s full of amazing words and we wanted to share it with you!

Here are the first 13, with more to come on Monday. We’d love it if you tried to make sentences with them!

Groak – To silently watch someone while they are eating, hoping to be invited to join them.
Origin: Unknown
Example: It’s hard to enjoy your meal when the guy opposite is groaking you the whole time.

Hugger-Mugger – To act in a secretive manner.
Origin: 1530s
Example: I’m sick of all these sneaky types, creeping around and hugger-muggering the whole time.

Crapulous – To feel ill because of excessive eating/drinking.
Origin: 1530s
Example: Blerg. The morning after St. Patrick’s Day. I feel crapulous.

Grumpish –  Sullen. An alternative to grumpy.
Origin: 1720s
Example: I’m hungover, and I’ve got a ton of work to do. Think I’m allowed to be grumpish.

Snowbroth – Freshly melted snow.
Origin: 1590s
Example: Yesterday we woke up to a perfect carpet of white, but now it’s just snowbroth.

Jargogle – To confuse, bamboozle.
Origin: 1690s
Example: I don’t get string theory. It utterly jargogles my brain.

Apricity – The sun’s warmth on a cold winter’s day.
Origin: 1620s
Example: Even in darkest December you sometimes get a moment of beautiful apricity.

Twattle – To gossip, or talk idly.
Origin: 1600s
Example: I wish you’d quit twattling and get on with your work.

Elflock –Tangled hair, as if matted by elves.
Origin: 1590s
Example: Jeez, dude, look at the state of those elflocks — have you not heard of a comb?

Gorgonize – To have a paralyzing or mesmerizing effect on someone.
Origin: Early 17th century
Example: Don’t look into his eyes. He’s so charismatic, you’ll be gorgonized.

Cockalorum – A little man with a high opinion of himself.
Origin: 1710s
Example: He’s a boastful shortarse. Total cockalorum.

Snoutfair – A good-looking person.
Origin: 1500s
Example: Alison Brie? Total snoutfair.

Jollux – Slang term for a fat person.
Origin: 1780s
Example: Time to go on a diet, I’m getting to be a right jollux.

Which is your favourite?