SA Footy

there are plenty of them but i'll start with a couple of words that are 'practically extinct'

thy
thus

Words becoming more common:

'Sup
yal
biatches

Which of course can also be used as a sentence.

I actually have a whole book on the dying english language, It's called "Lost for Words" - great read

Focuses not only on dying words but old phrases as well.

I'll have to pull it out* and post some examples

Disappearing...

insolent
thereat
indolent
succor
wondrous
debility

New (and particularly irritating IMO)

outage
synergy
leverage (as a verb)
triage
advisory (as a noun)

Footy Chick wrote:I actually have a whole book on the dying english language, It's called "Lost for Words" - great read

Focuses not only on dying words but old phrases as well.

I'll have to pull it out* and post some examples

So wherefore is it hidden, fair maiden?

Besmirch and absquatulate are getting used more and more.

Footy Chick wrote:I actually have a whole book on the dying english language, It's called "Lost for Words" - great read

Focuses not only on dying words but old phrases as well.

I'll have to pull it out* and post some examples

Reminds me of Abraham Simpson "I'm full of piss and vinegar!" Supposedly a rather discontinued quote, but probably a US one to being with.

I would think the word "thus" hasn't really been a word used in common speech in contemporary times. But i would imagine it is still used in a legal context.

bayman wrote:
thy
thus

thou
thee

Booney wrote:Besmirch and absquatulate are getting used more and more.

"Contrafibularities, sir. It is a common word down our way....I am anaspeptic, phrasmotic, even compunctious to have caused you such pericombubulations."

At uni the words 'tangible' and 'juxtaposition' crop up alarmingly often in people's essays even if they don't know what they mean.

'Utilise' is also, er, utilised a lot, especially in internet ads. I don't know why they can't just say 'use' - it's the same thing and it's shorter.

I'd really like to see a revival of all the Enid Blytony words like 'beastly' and 'wizard'. That would be jolly smashing!

By the way, what the hell does 'fo' shizzle' mean? Apparently that is a common expression of today. If I ever actually hear someone say it I'll pull off my head and jump on it.

disappearing

ongoing
full-time

new

casual
contract
temporary
weekly paid

In edu-talk, 'pedagogy' is a current buzzword to make what you do you sound intelligent without it being necessarily so. The new principal introduced herself today and after 5 minutes of talking but saying precisely nothing, ended with the proclamation that "I'm really big on current pedagogies." Hmmm, and they are what exactly.....?

zipzap wrote:In edu-talk, 'pedagogy' is a current buzzword to make what you do you sound intelligent without it being necessarily so. The new principal introduced herself today and after 5 minutes of talking but saying precisely nothing, ended with the proclamation that "I'm really big on current pedagogies." Hmmm, and they are what exactly.....?

Yep, 'pedagogy' is doing the rounds here too. There's a very long-winded definition of it in my English handbook but as far as I'm concerned it's just 'method' wearing a new dress.

One 'word' that has become fashionable is outcomes .

I hate it. It's often used by politicians and other spin doctors e.g. "We're hoping for positive outcomes from this initiative"

The word outcome is sufficent.
An outcome is the total result, the final product of something and can encompass a number of eventualities.

choice

All the big words Psyber uses ...

My Funk & Wagnalls is worn out from overuse trying to understand him.

dedja wrote:All the big words Psyber uses ...
My Funk & Wagnalls is worn out from overuse trying to understand him.

But much of his antidisestablishmentarianism is to be applauded.

Punk Rooster wrote:

Booney wrote:Besmirch and absquatulate are getting used more and more.

"Contrafibularities, sir. It is a common word down our way....I am anaspeptic, phrasmotic, even compunctious to have caused you such pericombubulations."

I didn't know you were W. C. Field's grandchild 'Punky'