Old words make a comeback at Save the Words
March 25, 2009
Every year, there’s an announcement that the dictionary has added new words like “fanboy,” “muggle,” or “air quotes.” Well, to make room for those, they have to drop less-commonly used words like “blateration” (blabber or chatter), “jungible” (that which may be joined) or “jobler” (someone who does small jobs; also, a great name for a Web 2.0 startup). If you feel this grave injustice will surely bring theomeny (the fury of God) to Merriam-Webster and the OED alike, you should immediately head to Save The Words.
Save The Words lets you adopt one of these cast-off words so that you can use them “in conversation and correspondence, as frequently as possible to the very best of [your] ability.” You can even print an adoption certificate.
If simply using your adopted word isn’t enough, you can order T-shirts with your word emblazoned on the front. But if you really want to bring a word back, Save The Words suggests tattooing your word or using it as a name for your new pet or child. However, you may be better off having each student in your English class picking out a word and awarding a couple extra points if they can work it in to their next essay. -BILL FERRIS
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