# Words we don't use any more **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 8, 2000, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818 "2000-04-08T14:44:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2000, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818/21 "2000-04-08T23:05:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Johnny L.A.: > > Nobody said **groovy** in the 80s and early 90s. I liked to use it for the mild shock-value. I also used **hep** for the same reason. “Groovy” seems to be making a come-back. I beg to differ. I said “groovy” all through the 80s and 90s 😛 People don’t really use the words “aught” and “naught” anymore. * * * – I have over 2000 posts, dammit! Show some respect. [http://fathom.org/opalcat/showmerespect.jpg](http://fathom.org/opalcat/showmerespect.jpg) O p a l C a t [www.opalcat.com](http://www.opalcat.com) ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2000, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818/22 "2000-04-08T23:09:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by purplebear: > \*\*Wow! My kind of thread! I use a lot of words that no one else seems to use anymore. > > Cool Beans! > Neato > keeno > gregarious ( yep ! that’s me!) > diatribe > laconic (when was the last time you heard someone say this, not in a western novel) > turgid (outside of romance novels, that is) > plethora > > I’m sure there are more, but can’t think of them right now, except ones already mentioned. > \*\* I hated “cool beans” when it came into use (when was that, mid 90s?) and I refuse to ever use it. I use most of the other words on your list regularly though. * * * – I have over 2000 posts, dammit! Show some respect. [http://fathom.org/opalcat/showmerespect.jpg](http://fathom.org/opalcat/showmerespect.jpg) O p a l C a t [www.opalcat.com](http://www.opalcat.com) ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2000, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818/23 "2000-04-08T23:40:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by ChiefScott: > **…perchance… > …me thinks.** > [@](#): > > Originally post by purplebear: > \*\* > Cool Beans! > Neato > … > diatribe > … > plethora\*\* > [@](#): > > Originally posted by Sealemon88: > \*\* > Awesome. > Fuckin’ A. > > Trippy.\*\* [quote] Originally posted by TheNerd (and mutated by my editing): **Some words I use that don’t seem to be commonplace: [list=1][li]keen[/li][li]…[/li][li]wonky[/li][li]ungood[/li][li]…[/li][li]mayhap[/list=1]**[/li][/quote] > [@](#): > > Originally posted by OpalCat: > **People don’t really use … “naught” anymore.** More words I use (semi) regularly… ::Sigh::…Methinks you people _intend_ to make me feel ancient, at this young age… * * * _Eschew Obfuscation_ ---
**Author:** ![neuro-trash\_grrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3ab097/32.png) [@neuro-trash\_grrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neuro-trash_grrrl)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2000, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818/24 "2000-04-09T00:08:00Z")
This list is, like, totally radical! Tubular! Outtasite! Keen! Neat-o! And other superlatives from various past decades! * * * Heck is where you go when you don’t believe in Gosh. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2000, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818/25 "2000-04-09T00:11:00Z")
“Say…” to start a sentence, as in “Say, what’s the big idea!” ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2000, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818/26 "2000-04-09T03:39:00Z")
Wow! This thread is gruesome! I mean, it grew some… Actually, I use **wonky** , usually when I’m referring to data where I work. I also say **trousers** , and I’m well under 60. Nobody seems to notice though. ☹ If someone is a “smarty-pants”, I’ll usually call him a “clever-trousers” (Tip o’ the hat – hats seem to be uncommon too, except for ball caps and cowboy hats – to _The Young Ones_) I like **daddy-o**. I’ll have to use that one. In high school, there were **gnarly** and **outraaaaaageous** for something **rilly kewl**. I use **naught** with a Jethro Bodine accent – as in “double-naught spy”. Hmmm… what to do now? Watch TV, or listen to the **wireless**? * * * “I must leave this planet, if only for an hour.” – Antoine de St. Exupéry Are you a turtle? ---
**Author:** ![TaleraRis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@TaleraRis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TaleraRis)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2000, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818/27 "2000-04-09T03:55:00Z")
Don’t feel bad, Tengu. Except for wonky and ungood on that last list you posted, I use every single one of those. And since I read a lot of Victorian-set literature, I tend to sprinkle many words worse than perchance and methinks into my speech. Oh, and I’m only 20. I must be the ancient one and you’re the one that flicked the light switch for God 😉 * * * I rode Omni in Springfield, IL ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2000, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818/28 "2000-04-09T04:06:00Z")
Can someone inform me on the status of my all-time favourite English word? **Flabbergasted** ---
**Author:** ![Federalist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/82dd89/32.png) [@Federalist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Federalist)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2000, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818/29 "2000-04-09T04:08:00Z")
disinterested absoTIVEly posiLOOTly gibberish buddy ol’ pal bolderdash ---
**Author:** ![Sentinel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sentinel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sentinel)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2000, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818/30 "2000-04-09T04:34:00Z")
**SIGH!** Jeepers! Jeepers creepers! Keen-o! Boss. Groovin’ Hep cat! Old man or old woman (now it’s senior citizen). 23-skiddo! OH!- YOU KID! Slip me some skin! (Handshake - the sliiiiding kind.) Dig it. Ballin’ ( for the curious, it means to have sex). flicks (movies). hot wax (records, usually 45s). _Stacks and stacks of red hot wax ready to play and make your day here on WKJN the hottest of the hot **ROCK 'N ROLL** ray-dee-oh stay-shuns! Keep it tuned for the tunes! Now I’ll spin a platter and start the chatter and here_\* HE IS\*\* the DUKE looking for his earl!\* Dig it daddy-o! ---
**Author:** ![Whammo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8dc957/32.png) [@Whammo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whammo)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2000, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818/31 "2000-04-09T04:45:00Z")
all of these words are old… **NO DOY!!**** duh **, ya** duffus **!! freakin** dorkus’s** ---
**Author:** ![evilbeth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/evilbeth/32/2268_2.png) [@evilbeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilbeth)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2000, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818/32 "2000-04-09T05:04:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Shayna: > \*\*Well **gee willikers** this topic is just **dandy**. I think you’re **peachy** for posting it! > > \*\* My standard response to people who ask me how I’m doing is “ **peachy** ”. They almost always laugh or look at me strangely. Now I know why! Apparently, I’m outdated! * * * “You don’t have insurance? Well, just have a seat and someone will be with you after you die.” --Yes, another quality sig custom created by Wally! A Jesusfied sig: Next time I covet thine opinion, I’ll ask for it! ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2000, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818/33 "2000-04-09T05:14:00Z")
No, I speak with utter in-fashion-ness. No, really, babe, I do. I am utterly hip to the scene, dig? I sound like _what?_ Are you cats trippin’? Good Grief! Actually, I like what I think of as my grandmother’s words: “britches” --which will probably stay in my mom’s family as long as it continues to produce daughters who grow into mothers “fagged” --for tired, worn out, bushed (do people still say “bushed”? “clabbered” --it’s a technical term 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![justwannano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ab992/32.png) [@justwannano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justwannano)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2000, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818/34 "2000-04-09T05:40:00Z")
Peachy-keen Drag as in “lets go drag the strip” Rod as in Hot Rod Lincoln Fag as in cigarette Coupe as in my little duce coupe Drag as in Hey gimme a drag of that fag ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2000, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818/35 "2000-04-09T06:23:00Z")
I wonder how may of these are words that have dropped out of use in one dialect of English, and continue to be used in another? I think that “fagged” is fairly current in British English, for instance, even tough it is NOT used in North America… * * * Rigardu, kaj vi ekvidos. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2000, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818/36 "2000-04-09T07:23:00Z")
It may be just the circles I move in, but I’ve noticed people saying “and how”. Whether they think it’s a brand-new expression or not, I don’t know. * * * “His eyes are as green as a fresh-pickled toad, His hair is as dark as a blackboard, I wish he was mine, he’s really divine, The hero who conquered the Dark Lord.” ---
**Author:** ![OgreFade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@OgreFade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OgreFade)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2000, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818/37 "2000-04-09T07:51:00Z")
calapygian … and zietgeist. ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2000, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818/38 "2000-04-09T07:54:00Z")
I think I’m going to buy a **lid** of **grass**. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2000, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818/39 "2000-04-09T11:07:00Z")
Status of **Flabberghasted** Still used round Yorkshire but is now employed slightly differantly, “Ay up chuck, never 'as me flabber been so ghasted” Thee, thy , thou ,tha, thine are all very common too. Widdershins = wrong way round- is Yorkshire too Cuddywufter= left handed Ecky thump = by jove Trousers - still used-pants means something differant in English Fag- Still widely used-Americans have another meaning hence bewildered American tourists when accosted by English beggars! ---
**Author:** ![Zico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a88e4f/32.png) [@Zico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zico)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2000, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818/40 "2000-04-09T11:52:00Z")
No-one in England uses “fagged” to say they’re tired anymore, btw. The word “fag” however is in common use as slang for a cigarette. Which gets a lot of English people in trouble on holidays in the US. No-one says they’re feeling “gay” when they are happy anymore, do they ? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-we-dont-use-any-more/15818.md?page=3)