6 words even dictionaries don't want anymore

Hearing about all the words that get added to a language has become almost commonplace in our world of social media, Wikipedia and mile upon mile of online apps and spellcheckers that make things like a big, fat, well-worn dictionary almost a thing of the past.

Which is sad, really. I’ll probably be buried with mine (to make I sure something heavy keeps me from wandering off, no doubt). Because along with helping you know when to use role vs. roll and provide handy definitions, there’s truly no end to many uses a good dictionary comes in handy with.

Like leveling a sofa, perhaps, one that’s missing one of those footie jobbers underneath, or chucking at varmints that always seem to wind up in places they shouldn’t. They’re make swell booster seats/step stools for toddlers. And I can’t think of a better tool to employ when waking that snoozing student who’s about to miss the best part of your lecture.

What’s far less common then even dictionary users are the lists of words that nobody uses anymore, words that have fallen so far out of use, or that were used by so few, that even dictionaries don’t want them around anymore.

Imagine my glee when I discovered just such a list on one of favorite word geek sites recently.

Of course, as the folks at WordGenius.com pointed out, your fuller compendiums like the Oxford English Dictionary, a personal favorite, or Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary are more apt to mark a word “archaic,” “historical” or “obsolete” rather than toss it entirely.

Smaller, more specialized dictionaries, however, have no qualms breaking out the boot. After all, they uphold a more “descriptivist” philosophy, meaning they try and stay current on how language gets used, and sometimes, that means bidding adieu when falls from our collective lexicon.

So, what are some of those words? You can check their full list right here.

Until then, here were some of our favorites:

Alienism — An obsolete term for psychiatry, the study and treatment of mental disorders. It’s a fair assumption this term became unfashionable because it made crazies even crazier. Mostly because it confirmed what I’ve been saying all along: That aliens really are trying read their thoughts—BEFORE we have them—then they pass them along to Somali refugees with just one eye. To what end I haven’t determined yet, but it’s been happening for decades now…

Brabble—To brabble is to squabble, quarrel, argue or fight. Giving the number of synonyms readily available for this word, retiring it was for the best. Although it is rather fun to say…

Deliciate—Nope. Look again. oh it’s spelled right, and it’s NOT “delicate.” Rather, it means to amuse or please oneself by indulging in revels. It does, however, come from the Latin word delicatus, which means to delicate. With this confusing etymology, it’s probably best it dropped out of use.

Frigorific—This word was used to describe something that causes cold or is chilling. Today, we still have “frigid,” but the older cousin no longer commonly used. Pity, really. Another fun word to pronounce.

Supererogation—It sounds like an advanced form of interrogation, but it means going above and beyond what is required by duty, obligation or need. Its roots lie in Medieval Latin, and when “supererogation” was first coined, it was primarily used in religious contexts.

Younker—The older definition of this word can refer to a young man or a child. There’s also a former department store founded in 1856 by the name of “Younkers” — now it’s online-only—otherwise, this one isn’t used anymore, either.