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Explore more forgotten English words that disappeared from daily use. Learn medieval terms, Victorian expressions, and lost words that reveal fascinating stories about English history.

After the first series of forgotten English words, my inbox exploded with messages from readers sharing their own linguistic findings. Maria from Barcelona found "apricity" in a Dickens novel. Ahmed from Cairo used "petrichor" in his creative writing class and impressed his professor. But the message that stuck with me came from Elena in Prague: "John, these words are amazing! It’s like discovering parts of English I never knew existed.”

Elena's words perfectly captured my feelings when I first learned that English once had a word for "the day after tomorrow" overmorrow. This discovery made me realize our language graveyard is vast, filled with perfectly useful words that simply fell out of fashion. In this second series, I'm taking you deeper into this linguistic cemetery to uncover more forgotten English words that deserve resurrection.

Medieval treasures: Old English words that deserve revival

Medieval English gave us some of the most practical forgotten words. These terms described daily life in ways that modern English struggles to match.

Time and seasons

Overmorrow (noun) - /ˈoʊvərˌmɔroʊ/ [OH-ver-mor-oh]

The day after tomorrow. Example: "I'm busy tomorrow, but overmorrow works perfectly for our meeting."

This word existed in English for centuries before we decided that "the day after tomorrow" was somehow better. German still has "übermorgen" for the same concept.

Gloaming (noun) - /ˈɡloʊmɪŋ/ [GLOH-ming]

The time of evening twilight. Example: "We walked through the garden in the gloaming, watching the first stars appear."

You might recognize this from Scottish poetry. The word is more poetic than "dusk" and more specific than "evening". It describes those precious minutes when day becomes night.

Eventide (noun ) - /ˈivənˌtaɪd/ [EE-ven-tide]

The time of evening; dusk. Example: "The church bells rang out across the valley at eventide."

This word appears frequently in religious and literary texts. It carries a sense of peace and reflection that "evening" by itself doesn't quite capture.

Daily life and work

Scrivener (noun) - /ˈskrɪvənər/ [SKRIV-eh-ner]

A professional copyist; a clerk. Example: "Before printing presses, every book was copied by hand by skilled scriveners."

In my teaching, I use this word to explain how important writing skills were in medieval times. Every document was precious because human hands created each one. The profession required years of training and produced beautiful, error-free manuscripts.

Chandler (noun)- /ˈtʃændlər/ [CHAND-ler]

A person who makes or sells candles. Example: "The chandler's shop filled the street with the scent of beeswax and tallow."

This word survives only in surnames now, but it represents an entire profession that was essential for centuries. Before electric lights, chandlers provided the means for people to work and read after dark.

Victorian gems: When English got creative

The Victorian era gave us some of the most inventive forgotten English words. These people had opinions about everything and invented vocabulary to match their complex social world.

Social behavior and manners

Fuddy-duddy (noun) - /ˈfʌdiˌdʌdi/ [FUH-dee-duh-dee]

A person who is old-fashioned and overly concerned with propriety. Example: "Don't be such a fuddy-duddy about using smartphones in class."

This word might not be completely dead, but it's definitely endangered. It perfectly describes someone who resists change for no good reason.

Pettifogger (noun)- /ˈpɛtiˌfɔɡər/ [PET-ee-fog-er]

A lawyer who deals with minor cases in a petty, quibbling way. Example: "We need a real attorney, not some pettifogger who argues about paperwork details."

This word perfectly captures a specific type of annoying behavior that we still encounter today. Some professionals focus on trivial details while missing the bigger picture.

Rapscallion (noun) - /ræpˈskæljən/ [rap-SKAL-yun]

A mischievous person; a rascal. Example: "That little rapscallion tracked mud through the entire house."

This word sounds playful rather than harsh. It's perfect for describing children who get into harmless trouble.

Describing people and behavior

Lollygag (verb) - /ˈlɑliˌɡæɡ/ [LAH-lee-gag] To spend time aimlessly; to dawdle. Example: "Stop lollygagging and finish your homework."

This word describes lazy, unfocused behavior. It sounds less harsh than "procrastinate" but gets the same message across.

Hornswoggle (verb) - /ˈhɔrnˌswɑɡəl/ [HORN-swah-gul] To deceive or trick someone. Example: "Don't let that salesman hornswoggle you into buying extras you don't need."

This colorful American word describes being tricked or swindled. It's more playful than "deceive" but carries the same warning.

Why these forgotten English words matter for your learning journey

They make you a better reader

When I assign 19th-century literature to my advanced students, these words appear regularly. Knowing "gloaming" and "eventide" helps you understand poetry without stopping to check a dictionary. Recognizing "scrivener" and "chandler" gives you insight into historical contexts.

Classic literature becomes much more enjoyable when you understand the vocabulary authors used. Rather than guessing meanings from context, you grasp the exact emotions and images the writers intended.

They improve your writing voice

Using words like "bumfuzzle" or “rapscallion” in creative writing adds personality and charm. These words make your writing memorable and show your deep knowledge of English vocabulary.

Modern writing often sounds flat because everyone uses the same limited vocabulary. Forgotten words give you tools to express ideas in fresh, interesting ways.

They connect you to English history

Each forgotten word opens a window into how people lived, worked, and thought in earlier times. "Scrivener" reminds us that literacy was a specialized skill that required years of training. "Chandler" shows us how important artificial light was before electricity changed everything.

Understanding these words help you appreciate how much society has changed and how language reflects those changes.

They're conversation starters

Nothing breaks the ice like casually mentioning that there's a specific word for being confused (bumfuzzled) or having nervous stomach pain (collywobbles). These words make you sound knowledgeable and captivating.

People love learning new words, especially ones that describe feelings or situations they recognize but couldn't name.

How to learn these words effectively

Start with words you like

Don't try to memorize every forgotten word you encounter. Choose three or four that appeal to you personally. Maybe you love "overmorrow" because it's practical, or "bumfuzzle" because it's fun to say.

Use them in real situations

Look for opportunities to use your chosen words in conversation or writing. When someone seems confused, try saying they look "bumfuzzled." When describing a mischievous child, call them a "rapscallion."

Connect them to modern life

Link forgotten words to current experiences. When you feel nervous before a job interview, think "collywobbles." When something is positioned crookedly, remember "cattywampus."

Share your discoveries

Tell friends and family about interesting words you've learned. Most people enjoy discovering new vocabulary, especially words that describe familiar feelings or situations.

Practice exercise: Bringing dead words back to life

Try this exercise I use with my intermediate students:

• Pick three forgotten English words from today's list
• Write a short story (100 words) using all three words
• Share your story with a friend or post it in an English learning group

Here's my example:

"At eventide, the old scrivener closed his workshop and walked home through the gloaming. Tomorrow's work would wait until overmorrow. Tonight, he needed rest. But as he approached his cottage, he found a young rapscallion throwing stones at his windows. The sight completely bumfuzzled him. What had he done to deserve such treatment? His collywobbles started immediately."

Notice how the forgotten words add character and atmosphere to the story. They paint a clearer picture than modern alternatives would.

In all, contribute your own quota to the process of bringing dead words back. Every time you use a forgotten word appropriately, you help keep it alive. Every time you teach someone else a new word, you expand the active vocabulary of English.

Language evolves constantly, but it doesn't have to be only about loss. We choose which words survive and which ones fade away. Your choices matter.

Pick one forgotten word from this list and use it this week. Give these linguistic treasures a chance to live again in modern conversation. You'll be surprised how much more precisely you express yourself when you have the right word for the right situation.

Until we meet again in the third series of our collection of the word graveyard.