Every year, major dictionaries add new words to reflect our ever-changing language. In 2020 alone, over 500 words have already been added to the "Oxford English Dictionary" (OED) — including our personal fave, awesomesauce, which means something's extremely good. But what’s less frequently reported on is that some words, after falling out of fashion, are actually cut from the dictionary. Here are some of the nearly extinct words we wouldn’t mind adding to our vocabulary again.
Deliciate
It might look similar to the word delicate, but this obsolete term has more in common with delight since it refers to delighting oneself — particularly at a feast or party (which may explain its shared root with delicious).
Acang
Traced back to the 13th century, this nearly ancient word means to lose one's self control. We smell an awesome name for an under-the-radar rapper.
Bever
This verb is right up there with quiver, which means to tremble or shake, as in “She bevered with fear.” It even carries a secondary meaning in British English — a snack or to have a snack.
Frigorific
Sitting under an A/C vent, an open freezer door, and eating a popsicle too quickly are just a few examples of things that are frigorific or things that cause you to feel cold.
Sheepsy-Wolvesy
You might already get the drift on this one. A wolf in sheep’s clothing refers to someone who pretends to be innocent. This was an adjectival method of applying that expression. For example, “He’s such a sheepsy-wolvesy flirt.”
Brabble
Mash up a little bit of babble and a little bit of squabble and you’ve got this funny word, which refers to a petty fight or tussle that doesn’t make much sense.
Chop-Loge
Everyone has that one friend who adds 1 + 1 and ends up with five. You might use this word, which is short for chop-logic, to make a nonsensical argument.
Supererogate
This old school verb is best applied to overachievers. It describes going the extra mile by doing more or performing better than required.
Gutling
In the days of medieval turkey legs, you’d call a hearty eater this less-than-flattering name.
Younker
If you thought the word youngster was something only your grandpa said, this synonymous word must belong to your great grandparents.
Coleworts
Coleworts were a cabbage-like plant. However, this word also became synonymous with old news, thanks to a proverb that went, “Coleworts twice sodden.”
Growlery
Bears growl and hibernate in caves. This word shares components of both of those concepts since it refers to a place of refuge or a retreat where you’d rather be left alone.
Bullhead
Speaking of wild animals, you’d be at the peak of fashion in the 17th century if you were rocking a bullhead, which is a mass of curled or frizzled hair worn over the forehead.
Snollygoster
It's probably the most fun thing to say on this list, even if it’s not the nicest. A snollygoster is a shrewd, unprincipled person and this term was often used to describe politicians. Throw that one down at your next town hall debate.