Wordbay · Old & rare words

Old and rare words worth bringing back

Words that have slipped out of everyday use but still do a job nothing else does, or are simply a pleasure to say.

Everyday (15)

anon adverb. Soon, or in a little while.
betwixt preposition. An old word for between, still heard in a set phrase meaning neither one thing nor the other.
dilly-dally verb. To waste time, especially by dithering or dawdling.
ere preposition. Before, in old-fashioned or poetic writing.
forsooth adverb. Truly or indeed, now mostly used to mock something as pompous or unlikely.
gallivant verb. To wander from place to place in search of fun.
gumption noun. Practical good sense, and the get-up-and-go to act on it.
hullabaloo noun. A noisy commotion or fuss.
kerfuffle noun. A small, noisy fuss, usually over something that didn't deserve one.
mollycoddle verb. To treat someone too indulgently, shielding them from every hardship.
perchance adverb. By some chance; perhaps.
skedaddle verb. To leave or run off in a hurry.
wherewithal noun. The money or means needed to do something.
whippersnapper noun. A young, inexperienced person who is cheeky or overconfident.
yonder adverb. Over there, at some distance but within sight.

bumbershoot noun. A jokey old word for an umbrella.
cattywampus adjective. Askew or out of line; not straight.
collywobbles noun. A queasy, fluttery feeling in the stomach, usually from nerves.
dottle noun. The plug of half-burnt tobacco left at the bottom of a pipe after smoking.
fain adverb. Gladly; with pleasure.
flapdoodle noun. Foolish talk; nonsense.
flibbertigibbet noun. A flighty, chattering person who can't stick to one thing.
gallimaufry noun. A jumbled mixture of different things.
hornswoggle verb. To cheat or trick someone.
hugger-mugger noun. Secrecy and concealment.
jollification noun. Merrymaking and festive fun.
mayhap adverb. Perhaps; possibly.
panjandrum noun. A pompous official or self-important person who thinks they are very powerful.
quidnunc noun. A nosy person who always wants to know the latest gossip.
tatterdemalion noun. A person in ragged, tattered clothes.
widdershins adverb. Anticlockwise, or against the sun's course, a direction once thought unlucky.
wiseacre noun. Someone who acts as though they know everything.
zounds interjection. An old exclamation of surprise or anger.

brabble verb. To squabble noisily about trivial things.
cachinnate verb. To laugh loudly and without restraint.
diuturnal adjective. Lasting for a long time.
hobbledehoy noun. A clumsy, awkward young man or adolescent boy.
jackanapes noun. A cheeky, impertinent person, especially a young one.
kenspeckle adjective. Easily recognised; conspicuous.
lollygag verb. To spend time aimlessly or lazily.
mumpsimus noun. A mistaken habit or belief that someone clings to even after being shown it is wrong.
ninnyhammer noun. A fool or simpleton.
quockerwodger noun. A wooden puppet on strings, or a politician who acts as someone else's puppet.
smellfungus noun. A person who always finds fault and complains about everything.
snollygoster noun. A clever but unprincipled person, especially a politician out only for personal gain.
sockdolager noun. A decisive blow or remark that settles a matter.
swain noun. A young male lover or suitor (now usually humorous).
ultracrepidarian noun. Someone who gives opinions on matters well beyond their knowledge.
yclept adjective. Named or called, used now as a jokey archaism.