Archaic vocabulary

These 10 archaic words would make our modern vocabularies so much better!

Image: Patrick Tomasso

Language is considered a living tissue, so it stands to reason that the words we use as we move through the decades change with us: Since we have no use for some words, they sadly fade from existence and are ultimately forgotten. However, that doesn’t need to be the case: Who says we can’t launch some kind of conservation effort to keep words relevant? With that in mind, we have selected 10 forgotten words that we think should make a well-deserved comeback. We honestly believe that adding these terms to our collective vocabularies would make our lives easier, or at least, more colorful. Enjoy!

Image: Torsten Dederichs

"Balderdash" sounds like the perfect noun for a bold and daring adventurer, someone who doesn’t fret in the face of danger. However, the actual definition of this word can’t be further from these notions: Balderdash is an extremely old expression used to describe a senseless, stupid, or exaggerated way of speaking or writing. Not only that, but it can also be used as an exclamation of disbelief, similar to other old-timey terms like "baloney" or "hogwash."

Image: Resume Genius

For such a silly-sounding word, "donnybrook" has some rather rowdy definitions. While some dictionaries define it as a synonym for fight or brawl, others definitions for these words don’t delve into physical altercations: A donnybrook could be a flashy and public argument, for instance. It would seem that the one quality that any "donnybrook" worth its wacky name should cause some sort of uproar.

Image: JOSHUA COLEMAN

Another funny-sounding word in this article (be ready for many more), the term ballyhoo is as charming as it sounds. This word is used to describe something that tries to get people excited, usually in a flashy or ostentatious manner. For instance, an advertisement campaign might make a lot of "ballyhoo" to get audiences excited about a certain product, movie, or book.

Image: Noah Buscher

Now, I know what you are thinking: Although not extremely popular, this word is sometimes used in our modern times. However, we would like to make the case that it is not used nearly enough. As you probably know, "tomfoolery" is a term used to describe playful, silly, or foolish behavior. While it is sometimes used as a pejorative term, especially in formal situations where foolish behavior is looked down upon, the truth is that this term is harmless enough to warrant its promotion in modern vocabularies.

Image: Maxime Gilbert

Let’s start with a small disclaimer: We do not condone physical violence, so please don’t go around throwing fisticuffs with strangers. This old-timey term dates back to at least the 17th century and remained popular until the 1930s. As the name suggests, the word fisticuffs relates to fighting with your fists: However, in some cases, it has also been used to describe an extremely heated or volatile argument between two people.

Image: charlesdeluvio

Galoot definitively sounds like a term of endearment. You might have heard someone refer to their beloved (and massive) Big Dane as "a big galoot." However, tread lightly if you think about using this word: After all, it describes someone extremely clumsy or awkward. In any case, "galoot" is such a silly-sounding word that bringing it back seems like a good idea, if only for the many adorable dogs that might be called a galoot.

Image: Towfiqu barbhuiya

We live in a world that loves abbreviations: The internet age has given us extremely popular terms like LOL and OMG. In that sense, don’t you think the expression "the day after tomorrow" is a bit of a mouthful? However, the archaic word "overmorrow" might be the answer we are looking for. This term is short, concise, and perfectly summarizes the day after tomorrow in only one word. We hope that this article helps launch this term into popularity.

Image: Everton Vila

Limerence is basically another word for being lovesick: It describes the involuntary obsession and melancholic feelings that come with falling in love with someone. Think of all those soap opera characters longing for the one they can’t have, often staring at a picture on a locket or at the falling rain: Those are, in our opinion, the best examples of limerence.

Image: Ben White

If old-timey gangster films have taught us anything, it is that "rat" is not only the name of one of our least favorite rodents but also the term used to describe someone who discloses information to the police. In that sense, the pejorative term "ratfink" applies to not only the act of "snitching", but also to someone utterly unpleasant or obnoxious.

Image: Wonderlane

"Chatoyant" is one of those words that doesn’t really do justice to the gorgeous natural event it describes: This term (which derives from a concept known as "the chatoyancy effect") describes a unique concept on which reflected light appears as well-defined bands on a glossy surface. This gorgeous occurrence, reminiscent of a cat’s eye, doesn’t seem reflected by the clumsiness of the word "chatoyant," but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t bring it to our collective attention.

LANGUAGE PUZZLES

7 Witty Riddles To Tease Your Brain And Have A Laugh!

Image: Kenny Eliason

Who doesn’t love a good challenge? Riddles are a universal form of art, found in cultures all over the world. Often an important part of oral folklore and traditions transmitted from one generation to the next, many themes reappear again and again in different times and places.

Besides keeping your brain active, riddles always are a fun way to engage with others - or, at least, keep the children entertained for a while. Here is a list of some of our favorites. Try and guess them before reading the answer!

Image: José Ignacio Pompé

This is the famous Riddle of the Sphinx, a legendary being part woman, part lion, and part bird –only distantly related to the famous Great Sphinx of Giza– that guarded the entrance to the Greek city of Thebes. According to the myth, anyone who failed to answer the riddle was immediately devoured without mercy, so don’t give up easily on this one!

Answer: A human.

Image: lucas Favre

Who said that a riddle can’t be beautiful? Flowing with poetic imagery, this riddle carries you through soothing but intriguing scenes. A hint: do not let its apparent depth drown your judgment, the answer is always simpler than it seems. Ok, enough clues, try and guess it for yourself!

Answer: A river.

Image: Lina Trochez

As with most things in life, once you put your finger on it, it will seem almost dumb. Again, let your body do the thinking for you! The answer is closer than it seems.

Answer: Your left hand.

Image: Joss Woodhead

This riddle will have you counting imaginary furniture and figuring out what would fit in a shelter but not a house. It’s not an easy task, but it can be worthwhile. If you need more help, a bridge has one.

Answer: The letter "R".

Image: Ganapathy Kumar

This riddle paints an empty world, a barren land where, if you look closer, things are not where they are supposed to be. If your first instinct is to draw it, you are going in the right direction!

Answer: A map.

Image: Vincent van Zalinge

This one is a classic, and chances are you already know the answer. But if this is your first time against it, a warning: it’s certainly not one for orthography purists, but pun-lovers will find it clever. Also, no, it’s not a badger in a blender. C’mon!

Answer: A newspaper.

Image: Wolfgang Hasselmann

Don’t strain yourself too much with this riddle! It’s intended as comic relief at the end of a brain-teasing session. Most riddles require you to think things through metaphor or clever wordplay, but not this one. Picture the scene in your mind, have a laugh, and voilà, you’ll have it!

Answer: Time to fix the fence!