‘Long-Lost’ Words We Should Resurrect This Year

How about upping your vocabulary with long-lost but "not completely forgotten" words? Michigan's Wayne State University Word Warriors dropped their latest word list. This list is unique because it aims to resurrect long-lost words.

Their 15^th annual list is composed of submissions from both administrators of the website as well as the public. "Once again, our Word Warriors have provided a collection of words that makes our language a bit livelier," said Chris Williams, assistant director of editorial services for Wayne State Marketing and Communications, and head of the Word Warriors program. "This year’s list is particularly evocative. I love to picture myself inhaling the petrichor after a summer thunderplump or listening to someone twankle away on a guitar. It’s really a great selection this year."

If you want to expand your vocabulary this year in the weirdest way possible, these word suggestions may be exactly what you need. They suggested that we revive the word "blatherskite." Apparently, it's a person who talks at great length without making much sense. For instance, they used the example. "The cable TV commentator was a blatherskite who produced 30 minutes of angry nonsense each night."

Another word on their revival list is "pawky." According to the Word Warriors, it's having a mocking or cynical sense of humor.

Other words on the list seem to be a bit more comical regarding pronunciation. "Rawgabbit" made the list. It’s a person who speaks confidently but ignorantly. This word would be great to use when referring to your social media feed. Just full of "rawgabbits" trying to explain everything.

"Thunderplump" also weirdly rolls off the tongue. If you're wondering what it means, it's a heavy fall or rain during a thunderstorm.

These are odd words but useful ones. Check out the complete list of long-lost words here.