# Which obsolete/archaic words in English do you think should be ressurrected? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 12, 2017, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934 "2017-01-12T02:44:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CoastalMaineiac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934/1 "2017-01-12T02:44:07Z")
I’m voting for _thrice_. After all, we kept _once_ and _twice_, so why not bring back _thrice_? I also think _hence_, _thence_, and _whence_ should be candidates for revival. I’m all for simple, one syllable words making a come back. Also, given the state of the world these days, I think I’m going to try to drop _blackguard_, _rapscallion_ and _knave_ in a few conversations. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934/2 "2017-01-12T02:58:13Z")
I use _thrice_ and _hence_, so I’m either way older than I feel, or way out of touch. Sometimes I’ll use _thence_ or _whence_, but only because I’m lazy and I forget that other people won’t understand me. Of course using them in literary fashion is par for the course. Now if we’re speaking “American,” I’d strongly favor re-introducing “fortnight.” Thanks to my interest in old literature I’ve always understood the meaning, but working with Aussies and Brits the last several years really made me understand the practicalness of actually using it. Fuck “stone,” though, I mean, really, the metric UK still uses stone??? I’d like to attack collective nouns, too. I hate to admit it, but I’ve become really fond of “product development _are_” and “such and such team _are_”; it’s subtle, but gives a real sense of plurality and collectiveness in the actions that are being performed. And I hate “you guys” (Michigan), “y’all,” etc. Maybe it’s time to reintroduce the distinction between “you” and “thou.” ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934/3 "2017-01-12T03:08:43Z")
> [@CoastalMaineiac](#): > > I’m voting for _thrice_. After all, we kept _once_ and _twice_, so why not bring back _thrice_? > > I also think _hence_, _thence_, and _whence_ should be candidates for revival. I’m all for simple, one syllable words making a come back. > > Also, given the state of the world these days, I think I’m going to try to drop _blackguard_, _rapscallion_ and _knave_ in a few conversations. I definitely use “hence”, and use “whence” too, but more for a slightly amusing effect. So we might as well bring back “thence” just to have the set of three. Yes to bringing back “thrice”. However, it might be necessary to offer a prize for someone using it in a cheerful way, as it is so much associated with “woe, woe, and thrice woe!”. ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934/4 "2017-01-12T03:10:39Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > … > Now if we’re speaking “American,” I’d strongly favor re-introducing “fortnight.” Thanks to my interest in old literature I’ve always understood the meaning, but working with Aussies and Brits the last several years really made me understand the practicalness of actually using it. How about bringing back “sennight”? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934/5 "2017-01-12T03:46:14Z")
> [@CoastalMaineiac](#): > > I’m voting for _thrice_. After all, we kept _once_ and _twice_, so why not bring back _thrice_? Thrice married is a common way to refer to someone who has married 3 times. Similarly, thrice divorced. > [@](#): > > I also think _hence_, _thence_, and _whence_ should be candidates for revival. I’m all for simple, one syllable words making a come back. Hence and whence are not uncommon. Thence, I’l grant. > [@](#): > > Also, given the state of the world these days, I think I’m going to try to drop _blackguard_, _rapscallion_ and _knave_ in a few conversations. None of those is out of use. If we’re talking archaic, we should reach back to “wherefore” or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934/6 "2017-01-12T03:49:53Z")
Lustrum. And blushet. ---
**Author:** ![Tee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@Tee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tee)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934/7 "2017-01-12T03:58:58Z")
'Tis, 'twas and 'twere. ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934/8 "2017-01-12T04:13:14Z")
How about “forsooth”? I like that one. 'Tis a word that doth please me greatly. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934/9 "2017-01-12T04:26:35Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > And I hate “you guys” (Michigan), “y’all,” etc. Maybe it’s time to reintroduce the distinction between “you” and “thou.” Actually, _y’all_ can be singular. Plural form is _[all y’all](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/all_y'all)_. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934/10 "2017-01-12T05:00:52Z")
I like _smite_. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934/11 "2017-01-12T07:23:35Z")
I have two: _dear_, meaning expensive; and _strumpet_, an old word for prostitute. ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934/12 "2017-01-12T07:30:24Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > I have two: _dear_, meaning expensive; and _strumpet_, an old word for prostitute. _Dear_ is obsolete or archaic? It’s in common currency in my variant of English (which is Hiberno-English) and it’s also common in BrE and its variants and dialects. I had no idea it was considered archaic or obsolete in AmE. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934/13 "2017-01-12T07:36:03Z")
Nextly. As in: Firstly: blah Nextly: blah blah blah. Furthemore: blah blah. Lastly: blah. It’s a real word, and it exists in the more complete editions of the OED. I have been using it for years, and as a result, my kids do too - my daughter got marked down by her English teacher for using it - I did the full Helicopter Parent on that one. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934/14 "2017-01-12T07:37:07Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > I have two: _dear_, meaning expensive… Venison’s dear, isn’t it? (Credit: Jimmy Carr) ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934/15 "2017-01-12T07:39:08Z")
> [@CoastalMaineiac](#): > > Also, given the state of the world these days, I think I’m going to try to drop _blackguard_, _rapscallion_ and _knave_ in a few conversations. I’ve been using “blackguard” for years now. I’d be happy if we could bring back “ne’er-do-well” and “no-good-nik” while we’re at it. ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934/16 "2017-01-12T07:53:38Z")
I rather like verily; hither and thither; whence and whither; and forthwith. How much more satisfying it would be to shout out “Bring that report hither, forthwith,” than to say “Bring that report over here, now”. It would be even more satisfying if I could toss in a “varlet” at the end of the command. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934/17 "2017-01-12T08:25:12Z")
I’d like to bring back the original definition of “nice” (meaning “foolish, stupid, senseless”) so I could say things like, _“Look at those nice parents who refuse to vaccinate their kids!”_ ---
**Author:** ![Stanislaus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stanislaus/32/3391_2.png) [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934/18 "2017-01-12T10:04:49Z")
**Forwaked** : to be roused from sleep before time. From the Wakefield Mystery Play, when the shepherds are grousing to each other about their wives, kids and jobs: > [@](#): > > **2nd Shepherd** : I wot so forwaked is none in this shire: > I would sleep if I taked less to my hire. We found it particularly useful as new parents; people whose neighbours enjoy early morning Harley rides or those on shift work whose family call during the day may also find occasion to use it. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934/19 "2017-01-12T13:35:49Z")
yclept as in The Master, yclept Cecil Adams, wrote … ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934/20 "2017-01-12T13:42:29Z")
In this age of texting and other electronic communication, it would be nice to see the return of signatures like “Your obedient and humble servant” (not so much an archaic word as an archaic phrase) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-obsolete-archaic-words-in-english-do-you-think-should-be-ressurrected/776934.md?page=2)