A Century of Language Evolution: Obsolete English Words and the Ongoing Changes in Lexicon
The evolution of language is an ongoing process that continually shapes how we communicate. In this article, we explore some English words that have become largely obsolete in the past 100 years and delve into the factors contributing to their decline. Additionally, we will provide insights into how modern English continues to evolve and the challenges of understanding historical contexts in contemporary times.
Key Obsolete English Words from the Past Century
Over a century's time, many words have become obsolete, serving as living relics of the past. Here are some notable examples:
Ballyhoo
- Meaning: Excessive publicity or fuss, often for something trivial.
Flapper
- Meaning: A fashionable young woman in the 1920s who flaunted her style and behavior, often associated with the jazz age. While the term encapsulates an era, it is unfamiliar to many and rarely used in modern discourse.
Gobbledygook
- Meaning: Language that is meaningless or hard to understand, often used to critique overly complex bureaucratic language.
Hobbledehoy
- Meaning: An awkward or clumsy young person, especially a young man. This term, once common, is now rarely used.
Lollygag
- Meaning: To spend time aimlessly, to dawdle or waste time.
Mumpsimus
- Meaning: A stubborn person who insists on making an error in spite of being shown that it is wrong. This obtuse term, born from a Latin error, is now considered archaic.
Pumpernickel
- Meaning: A type of bread, but its playful connotation has diminished, and it is less commonly used in everyday conversation.
Quizzing
- Meaning: To question or interrogate. While this term is still known, it has become less common in favor of simpler alternatives.
Scullion
- Meaning: A servant assigned to the most menial kitchen tasks, a term that has fallen out of use in modern vernacular.
Whippersnapper
- Meaning: A young and inexperienced person who is presumptuous or overconfident. This term, while recognized, is not commonly used in modern speech.
The Evolution of the English Language
Language evolution does not just happen in glacial terms; it happens in a continuous, day-to-day process. The vocabulary of today's English has been enriched and pruned over the centuries, with certain words falling out of use as societies and cultures change.
Morley calloway, for example, posits that the word 'bloody' might have been an abbreviation of an old Tudor swearword 'Sblood!'. When used today, 'bloody' serves as an adjective, adverb, or general intensifier, often emphasizing a point or expressing anger. For instance, 'This rail-strike's becoming a bloody nuisance!' or 'Don’t be so bloody stupid!' are common modern expressions. This word remains mildly rude but is more widely accepted in British, New Zealand, and Australian English.
Modern English and Scrabble
Language evolution also manifests in the adaptation of words from esoteric contexts to more general use. Words like 'yclept', which means 'named', and 'auspice', an omen derived from the flight of birds, are officially accepted by the word game Scrabble. However, these terms are rarely used in normal discourse, highlighting how certain archaic or specialized words persist only in niche contexts or board games.
For those needing more examples, Shakespearean plays provide a wealth of such words. High school English textbooks often feature definitions of these obsolete words, explaining their usage to students and illuminating the historical language.
Understanding the evolution of language, particularly the decline of certain words, is crucial for anyone engaging with historical texts or trying to understand contemporary usage. Whether it's 'bloody' or 'yclept', the journey of a word from currency to obscurity offers a fascinating glimpse into the ever-changing nature of communication.
Conclusion
The English language is a dynamic system, constantly adapting to new influences and technologies. While some words become obsolete, others find new life in unexpected contexts. As our language continues to evolve, so too does our understanding of its rich history and the ways in which it shapes and reflects societal changes.