GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

12 Words That Should Make a Comeback

Image: Glen Carrie

The amazing trove of the American lexicon contains a world of expressions that have gracefully faded into antiquity. These words, once the staples of everyday talk, have become buried treasures waiting to be rediscovered. You should not, by any means, feel offended if any of these words is an active part of your current vocabulary. But know that if that is the case, you belong to a select few who still keep their proverbial linguistic flames alive until a new generation brings it back to the colloquial spotlight.

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Coined in the 1920s, the term "jalopy" refers to a dilapidated, often unreliable, and outdated car. Usually seen traveling backroads, loaded to the brim, these vehicles were all over the country during the Depression Era and beyond.

Though the jalopy may no longer roam through our highways, its place in the lexicon serves as a fond reminder of a bygone era.

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Taken from the Greek god of the west wind, Zephyrus, this term has endured centuries to become synonymous with a soft, mild breeze. Over time, "zephyr" transcended its mythological origins and found its place in the English language to evoke the sensation of a delicate, cool wind.

Today, this old-timer word will pop up from time to time, offering a touch of elegance and an enduring link to a past era.

Image: Kelly Sikkema

"Galoshes" is a word that conjures images of rainy days and puddle-jumping escapades. Its roots can be traced to the 14th-century Middle English term galoche, which was a clog or wooden shoe. Eventually, the word was used to describe a protective overshoe worn to shield one's footwear from the weather.

Then, in the 19th century, as practicality met fashion, galoshes became synonymous with rubber or waterproof overshoes, providing a solid defense against rain and mud. These days, the term "galoshes" stands as a charming linguistic vestige, sometimes brought up by grandmothers and old folks.

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"Baloney" is synonymous with nonsense or foolishness. This word's origin remains a subject of debate. Some suggest there's a connection to the bologna sausage, often made with a mixture of various types of meat. Regardless of its roots, "baloney" serves as a slightly antiquated expression to dismiss exaggerations in a conversation.

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Used to downplay annoyance or disappointment, the term "fiddlesticks" embodies a bygone era's knack for creative, yet polite, phrases. Despite its archaic nature, the word retains its place as a linguistic relic, offering a quirky way to convey a touch of exasperation or incredulity. Originating in the 17th century, this word is a metaphorical alternative to stronger, potentially rude expressions.

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"Whippersnapper" describes a young, usually impudent person who exhibits confidence beyond their years. Coined in the 17th century, it combines "whip," suggesting a quick or smart action, with "snapper," implying a sharp reply.

This word expresses a certain contempt for youthful audacity with a bit of humor. Originating in an era where respect for elders was fundamental, "whippersnapper" reflects the feelings of an older generation astonished by the impertinence of the young.

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Not the greatest of terms to be associated with, gobemouche comes from the French language, where it translates to "mouth-gaper." Hailing from the 18th century, this old-timer word refers to a gullible or easily deceived person, someone who eagerly swallows information without skepticism. It originates in the idea of a wide-open mouth, ready to accept anything fed to it.

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Working as a diametrically opposed concept to "despair", the word "respair" expresses renewed hope or reprieve after a period of distress. It is rooted in the Latin respirare, meaning to breathe.

Even though it was eclipsed by its more commonly used synonym, "hope," this antiquated but poetic gem transmits the beauty of resilience, offering comfort in the face of life's trials.

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"Gigglemug" is a charming term that describes an individual with an infectious or constant smile. This simple blend of "giggle" and "mug" originated in the joyous 1920s era. While the term may have faded from the contemporary lexicon, it evokes images of carefree laughter and an era when a light-hearted spirit was celebrated with the endearing nickname of "gigglemug."

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Another term that came from the roaring twenties, "hotly-totsy" expresses the happy-go-lucky spirit of the Jazz Age. This phrase describes something fashionable and trendy. It originates in the combination of the words "hot" for trendy and "otsy" as an embellishment.

Though relegated to the past, "hotsy-totsy" remains a linguistic memory of an era when the pursuit of what was fashionable was an acceptable occupation. Not so unlike the present times for many celebrities.

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"Whooperup" is a term of a similar spirit to the ones just described but hailing from a very different environment: the American frontier. It described a sense of noisy enthusiasm and lively commotion.

A "whooperup" is someone or something that stirs up excitement or engages in joyous partying. The word combines "whoop," an exuberant expression, with "up," emphasizing a high degree of passion. While it may sound a bit wild these days, it was quite fitting for the era when it was born.

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A phrase meant to describe individuals who accomplish their goals while enduring misfortunes, "pang-wangle" was coined in the 18th century. It encourages the recipient to remain upbeat and succeed in coming out victoriously of an unpleasant or tricky situation. While it is certainly not a term in current use, its meaning is quite an uplifting one and more than deserving to make a comeback.

Stay hydrated: 10 reasons why drinking more water will improve your quality of life

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Drinking enough water every day is crucial, and as time goes by, it becomes even more important. Adults over the age of 60, for example, are at increased risk of dehydration due to natural drops in thirst levels and changes in body composition. While everyone's hydration requirements differ depending on their health factors, the WHO recommends consuming about 50-68 ounces (6 to 9 cups) of water daily.

But, do you know what happens to your body when you experience a lack of water? Let’s go over the top 10 benefits of staying hydrated at all times.

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When we forget to drink the recommended amount of water per day, we are likely to suffer from dehydration. This occurs when the body loses more water than it takes in. It is often accompanied by variations in the balance of electrolytes in the body, especially alterations in the concentrations of sodium and potassium.

Your blood is largely composed of H2O. When you don't drink enough water, it becomes concentrated, which can cause an imbalance of these vital minerals,which are key to the proper functioning of your heart. The regulation of blood pressure and heart rate is of great importance, especially because the circulatory system constantly supplies oxygen and nutrients to the rest of the organs in the body.

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Whether you are a competitive athlete or you work at an office, achieving the right fluid balance has a decisive influence on your well-being and daily performance. Dehydration can slow circulation and also affect the oxygen flow to the brain. Water is used by the body to eliminate toxins and waste products it does not need. Lack of fluids can make your heart work harder to pump oxygen throughout your body. All that expended energy can make you feel tired, sluggish, and less focused.

In addition, when approaching a state of dehydration, the body will decrease muscle performance, which causes that feeling of tiredness. Drinking water is essential for our body to function properly all day and throughout all our activities.

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Our body produces heat and our metabolism, when working correctly, is responsible for maintaining a stable temperature. When you're dehydrated, research shows your body stores more heat. This in turn reduces your ability to tolerate high temperatures. When the temperature is too high and environmental conditions don’t help to reduce body heat, it is the evaporation of sweat that regulates the temperature. Only the sweat that evaporates has a cooling effect on our bodies. Drinking plenty of water will help you produce sweat when you're overheated, which will cool your body when needed.

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Your body needs water to digest food properly. If you don't drink enough water throughout the day, you may experience irregular bowel movements, gas, bloating, heartburn, and other discomforts that can affect your quality of life. In fact, drinking water during or after a meal helps the body break down and process food so that you can absorb nutrients.

Remember that increasing your fluid intake can help get things moving in the right direction. Water also softens the stool, which helps prevent constipation. Choose water instead of drinks with a lot of sugar whenever possible. Natural mineral water is especially beneficial; look for products enriched with sodium and magnesium.

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Kidney stones are a common disease, affecting nearly one in 11 people, and if you've ever experienced it, you know how painful they can be. In essence, these stones are clusters of mineral crystals that form in the urinary tract. Proper water intake is an effective and inexpensive measure to increase urine volume, which is believed to help prevent stone formation.

The peak of people with kidney stones occurs more often during the summer season when a lot of water is lost with perspiration. Drinking adequate amounts of water every day can help dilute the concentration of these minerals and reduce the likelihood of stones. Water also helps flush harmful bacteria from the bladder, while preventing urinary tract infections.

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Maintaining healthy skin not only has cosmetic benefits but is also key to better health overall. Water is essential for our skin to look smooth and glowing. The hydrolipidic film is responsible for the velvety appearance of our skin. It covers the outer part of the epidermis, is composed of sweat and oil, and is important for maintaining skin hydration and defending it against external agents. When we are dehydrated this mantle is affected and cannot protect us properly. When the skin is dehydrated it also cracks and looks dull and tight, whereas a hydrated skin is much more elastic and luminous.

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Almost all diets have one thing in common: they agree on the importance of drinking water to lose weight. As we’ve seen, water transports nutrients and oxygen to different parts of the body, but also fills us with energy to perform different activities throughout the day. It can also help boost our metabolism.

Experts say that drinking a glass of water before a meal can help with weight control. The stomach has nerves that detect stretching and send signals to the brain that it is time to stop eating. Because it provides a feeling of satiety, water can help you feel full between meals.

Also, sometimes we head to the kitchen for a snack when we're actually thirsty instead of hungry. If this is the case, drinking water can prevent us from consuming unnecessary calories and help us manage our weight better.

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Even mild dehydration —fluid loss of as little as 2%— can affect your mood, concentration, and memory. This is especially important for older adults who are at greater risk of dehydration and impaired cognitive function. In fact, studies show that dehydration causes a 15% drop in the ability to concentrate and a 10% decrease in short-term memory.

Therefore, in situations where intense mental effort is required, it is recommended to drink water frequently. Don’t wait until you are thirsty, as being thirsty is a symptom that you are already starting to become dehydrated. It is a good idea to take a bottle of mineral water with you when you go out so that you can hydrate at any time and place.

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Even mild fluid loss can cause the brain to shrink and separate from the skull, leading to headaches and migraines in some people. One of the risks of lack of water is that it produces vasodilation, that is, the blood vessels dilate and make headaches worse. The brain is highly sensitive to electrolyte alterations and to the lack of water, therefore, when the person is dehydrated, arteries and nerves will be too.

Staying consistently well-hydrated can help control this discomfort. If a person suffers regularly from this kind of pain, the recommendation is to stay well hydrated to prevent triggering a vascular or tension headache. In addition, drinking water might reduce the intake of medications.

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The cartilage in our joints contains about 80% water. Therefore, drinking water is the easiest way to maintain joints and tendons in perfect condition. Staying hydrated helps keep your joints well lubricated, reducing friction and preventing less aches and pains. On the contrary, long-term dehydration can reduce the shock absorption capacity of joints, leading to different bone-related pathologies.

Proper hydration will facilitate greater mobility and a better predisposition to exercise, giving more life and youth to your tissues.