11 olde English words we need to start using again

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Gebeorscipe, anyone? REUTERS/Michael Dalder

Scholars say that what we now call English started when Germanic tribes settled in present-day Britain at around 500 CE.

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The Oxford English dictionary counts 171,476 words in current use

A staggering 47,156  words are now obsolete. 

But, as you'll see from the below, some of the mother tongue's finest phrasings need to be brought back, as they'll help us mark our days and describe our lives better than what's currently on offer. 

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Overmorrow: on the day after tomorrow.

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Uncommon Goods

Example: "I'll have that report to you overmorrow." 

Why: Overmorrow was in Middle English but fell out of the language. So instead of having this word, we have the wordy "day after tomorrow." German still has this very useful word: übermorgen.

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Bedward: heading toward bed.

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Example: "I'm bedward, putting this group text on mute." 

Why: Because it treats your bed as a cardinal direction. As it should be.

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Elflock: hair that has been tangled as if by elves.

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Example: "I think I bruised my scalp trying to get those elflocks out." 

Why: Because hair tangles are frustrating, but elflocks are adorable. And speaking of them helps to re-enchant our world.

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Snollygoster: A smart person not guided by principles.

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Donald Trump AP

Example: "That snollygoster might end up in the White House." 

Why: Because we need a name for the people who don't recognize that with great power comes great responsibility. 

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Zwodder: A hazy state of mind.

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The Hangover trailer

Example: "He was in a zwodder all day after last night's party." 

Why: Because the word "hangover" is a catchall for all sorts of physiological debts we end up paying by pushing ourselves too hard. It would help to have more precise words.

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Mugwump: Someone who acts like they're above conflict.

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Umpire Jim Quirk (L) pulls Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Barnett away from a fight during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game against Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago December 23, 2007. Reuters/Frank Polich

Example: "My sister always played the mugwump in family disputes." 

Why: Because we need a word to describe the self-righteous condescension of the pacificist. 

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Rawgabbit: Someone who speaks authoritatively about something they know nothing about.

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Example: "That rawgabbit posts his opinion on Facebook about every single thing that happens in the news." 

Reason: Because frauds should be named.

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Twattling: gossiping.

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Miguel Pires da Rosa / Flickr

Example: "I knew I was in for it when they stopped twattling soon as I walked in the room." 

Why: Because 'twattling' is one of those words that sounds like the thing it describes: twattle, twattle, twattle.

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Fortnight: a period of two weeks.

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Sunrise

Example: "We have a meeting with sales every fortnight." 

Why: Because biweekly is woefully confusing — is it twice a week or every two weeks? Fortnight — and its sibling fornightly — help cure that ambiguity. 

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Anon: shortly.

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Mark Wilson / Getty

Example: "I'll see you anon." 

Why: Because it would be nice to have a classier version of see you soon. Plus it always sounds dope when Shakespeare's characters use it. 

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Snowbroth: recently melted snow.

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Flickr/Alisha Vargas

Example: "The snowbroth was beautiful outside my apartment, but disgusting on my commute." 

Why: Because it's beautifully evocative. 

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Gebeorscipe: A beer party.

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REUTERS/Michael Dalder

Example: "The world's greatest gebeorscipe happens in Germany ever September."

Why: Because a beer party is the best kind of party, and it deserves its own special word. 

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