Buy the books at www.amazon.com/author/paulbabicki +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What is an
Obsolete Word?
Definition and Examples
From thoughtco.com by Richard Nordquist
Updated April 12, 2017
Obsolete word
is a temporal label commonly used by lexicographers (that is, editors of dictionaries) to indicate that a word (or a particular form or sense of a
word) is no longer in active use in speech and writing.
"In general," notes Peter Meltzer, "the
difference between an obsolete word and an archaic word is that, although both have
fallen into disuse, an obsolete word has done so more recently" (The
Thinker's Thesaurus, 2010).
The editors of The American Heritage Dictionary of the
English Language (2006) make this distinction:
Archaic.
[T]his label is attached to entry words and senses for which there is only
sporadic evidence in print after 1755 . . ..
Obsolete. [T]his label is attached to entry words and senses for which there is little or no printed evidence since 1755.
In addition, as Knud Sørensen points out, "it sometimes
occurs that words which have become obsolete in Britain continue to be current
in the United States (compare Amer. Engl. fall and Brit. Engl. autumn)" (Languages
in Contact and Contrast, 1991).
Examples and Observations
Illecebrous
"Illecebrous [ill-less-uh-brus] an obsolete word meaning 'attractive, alluring.' From a Latin word meaning 'to entice.'" (Erin McKean, Totally Weird and Wonderful Words. Oxford University Press, 2006)
Mawk
"The underlying meaning of mawkish is 'maggotish.' It was derived from a now obsolete word mawk, which meant literally 'maggot' but was used figuratively (like maggot itself) for a 'whim' or 'fastidious fancy.' Hence mawkish originally meant 'nauseated, as if repelled by something one is too fastidious to eat.' In the 18th century the notion of 'sickness' or 'sickliness' produced the present-day sense 'over-sentimental.'" (John Ayto, Word Origins, 2nd ed. A & C Black, 2005)
Muckrake
"Mudslinging and muckraking--two words commonly connected with the pursuit of an elected office and the flotsam the campaigns leave in their wake. "Voters seem fairly familiar with the term used to describe malicious or scandalous attacks against opponents, but the latter 'm' word may be new for some people. It is an obsolete word describing a tool used to rake muck or dung and used in reference to a character in John Bunyan’s classic Pilgrim’s Progress [1678]--'the Man with the Muck-rake' who rejected salvation to focus on filth." (Vanessa Curry, "Don’t Muck It Up, and We Won’t Rake It." The Daily Herald [Columbia, TN], April 3, 2014)|
Samuel Johnson on Obsolete Words
- "Obsolete words are admitted when they are found in authors not obsolete, or when they have any force or beauty that may deserve revival." (Samuel Johnson in the preface to his Dictionary of the English Language, 1755) - "[Samuel] Johnson accommodates 'obsolete' terms to help his readers understand writers like Francis Bacon, Spenser and Shakespeare, and sometimes he suggests they should be salvaged from oblivion. . . . One example is 'manurance,' a term he has found in Spenser, meaning 'agriculture' or 'cultivation.' It is 'an obsolete word, worthy of revival.'" (Henry Hitchings, Defining the World: The Extraordinary Story of Dr. Johnson's Dictionary. Picador, 2005)
Subjective Judgments: Griefsome
in the OED
Back From the Dead: Revived Words
The Lighter Side of Obsolete Words:
Words Ending in -gry
Tabula Rosa Systems - Tabula Rosa Systems (TRS) is dedicated to providing Best of Breed Technology and Best of Class Professional Services to our Clients. We have a portfolio of products which we have selected for their capabilities, viability and value. TRS provides product, design, implementation and support services on all products that we represent. Additionally, TRS provides expertise in Network Analysis, eBusiness Application Profiling, ePolicy and eBusiness Troubleshooting. We can be contacted at:===============================================================In addition to this blog, Netiquette IQ has a website with great assets which are being added to on a regular basis. I have authored the premiere book on Netiquette, “Netiquette IQ - A Comprehensive Guide to Improve, Enhance and Add Power to Your Email". My new book, “You’re Hired! Super Charge Your Email Skills in 60 Minutes. . . And Get That Job!” has just been published and will be followed by a trilogy of books on Netiquette for young people. You can view my profile, reviews of the book and content excerpts at: www.amazon.com/author/paulbabicki Anyone who would like to review the book and have it posted on my blog or website, please contact me paul@netiquetteiq.com. In addition to this blog, I maintain a radio show on BlogtalkRadio and an online newsletter via paper.li.I have established Netiquette discussion groups with Linkedin and Yahoo. I am also a member of the International Business Etiquette and Protocol Group and Minding Manners among others. I regularly consult for the Gerson Lehrman Group, a worldwide network of subject matter experts and I have been contributing to the blogs Everything Email and emailmonday . My work has appeared in numerous publications and I have presented to groups such as The Breakfast Club of NJ and PSG of Mercer County, NJ.
Additionally, I am the president of Tabula Rosa Systems,
a “best of breed” reseller of products for communications, email,
network management software, security products and professional
services. Also, I am the president of Netiquette IQ. We are currently developing an email IQ rating system, Netiquette IQ, which promotes the fundamentals outlined in my book.
Over the past twenty-five years, I have enjoyed a dynamic and successful career and have attained an extensive background in IT and electronic communications by selling and marketing within the information technology market. |
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Tabula Rosa Systems Blog Of The Day - What is an Obsolete Word?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment