Let’s face it, in the past, there were some creative and interesting ways people used languages. Today, we have our own set of jargon (you can check that out at urban dictionary), but being new doesn’t necessarily equate to being superior. That being said, the reverse can also be true. Don’t get us wrong, we’re not suggesting that everything used to be better and that society has crumbled, or that young people are the downfall, or that contemporary music is terrible and we should return to the glory days of the 60s. That’s not the intention. After all, history wasn’t all rose-colored. In facts, by most standards, we’re in a more peaceful era than ever; we live longer; and we live with more comforts. But let’s not digress. Today’s topic concerns language and how it has been used over the course of history. Avoiding any political debates, we’re just going to take a nostalgic journey and observe how the English language has progressed. Despite our enjoyable and contemporary slang, here are 25 Antique Words and Phrases That Should Be Revived!
Featured Image: Antonio Litterio via wikimedia
Old hat
Source: oxforddictionaries.com, Image: liz west via flickr It used to mean something that is past its prime, but now this phrase is just old hat.
Curmudgeon
Source: oxforddictionaries.com, Image: publicdomainpictures.net Somebody who complains a lot
Big cheese
Source: thefreedictionary.com, Image: pixabay The boss
Put a sock in it
Source: thefreedictionary.com, Image: CGP Grey via flickr Shut up!
Shake a leg
Source: thefreedictionary.com, Image: Snuff13 via wikimedia Get moving!
Ratfink
Source: oxforddictionaries.com To snitch on somebody
Cad
Source: oxforddictionaries.com, Image: Vladimer Shioshvili via flickr A rude and selfish man
The Cat's Pajamas
Source: wiktionary, Image: pixabay Somebody who is the best at what they do. (“Oh wow, he’s the cat’s pajamas!”)
Dapper
Source: oxforddictionaries.com It means to have a neat appearance.
Gone
Source: oxforddictionaries.com, Image: Alan Levine via flickr As in “cool.” For example, “Dude that’s so gone man.”
Scoundrel
Source: oxforddictionaries.com Do we even need to tell you what this means?
Dandy
Source: oxforddictionaries.com, Image: pixabay As a noun, it refers to a man who cares too much about his appearance. As an adjective, it describes something that is very good or impressive.
Balderdash
Source: oxforddictionaries.com These are foolish words or ideas.
Some words may not leave a language but change meaning. Check out 25 Words That Don’t Mean What They Originally Did.
Nincompoop
Source: oxforddictionaries.com A foolish or selfish person
Donnybrook
Source: oxforddictionaries.com, Image: pixabay It’s a public argument.
Ballyhoo
Source: oxforddictionaries.com, Image: pixabay This refers to talk or writing that is designed to get people excited about something.
Tomfoolery
Source: oxforddictionaries.com, Image: pixabay Another word for “playful or silly behavior.”
Fisticuffs
Source: oxforddictionaries.com, Image: https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/image/V0050236.html (CC BY 4.0) It means “fist fight.”
Overmorrow
Source: oxforddictionaries.com, Image: pixabay This refers to the day after tomorrow.
Old sport
Source: enotes.com, Image: Library of Congress This was supposed to sound antiquated even in the 1920’s. It’s a term of endearment used for friends.
Galoot
Source: oxforddictionaries.com, Image: pixabay Your grandma may have affectionately called your dog this although the true meaning referred to a clumsy person.
Thrice
Source: oxforddictionaries.com, Image: pixabay Once, twice, thrice!
That's the ticket!
Source: thefreedictionary.com, Image: pixabay Said when something is right
Fellas
Source: oxforddictionaries.com, Image: Vaibhav Sharan via flickr This one is still used in some places (short for fellows).
Scram
Source: oxforddictionaries.com, Image: pixabay Means, “Get out of here!”
Enjoy this list? Take a look at 25 Unique English Words You Should Add To Your Vocabulary.
