# 27 Delightful Obsolete Words It’s High Time We Revived
**Quit groaking me, you slubberdegullion.** posted on March 25, 2013 at 7:43am EDT
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[Luke Lewis](http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis)BuzzFeed Staff
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**Meaning:** To silently watch someone while they are eating, hoping to be invited to join them.
**Origin:** Unknown
**As in:** It’s hard to enjoy your meal when the guy opposite is groaking you the whole time.
Source: [pe_ha45](http://www.flickr.com/photos/pe_ha45/1392895580/) / via: [obsoleteword.blogspot.co.uk](http://obsoleteword.blogspot.co.uk/2006/01/groak_09.html)
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**Meaning:** To act in a secretive manner.
**Origin:** 1530s
**As in:** I’m sick of all these sneaky types, creeping around and hugger-muggering the whole time.
Source: [forums.anandtech.com](http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=30156859) / via: [butifandthat.com](http://www.butifandthat.com/hugger-mugger/)
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**Meaning:** To feel ill because of excessive eating/drinking.
**Origin:** 1530s
**As in:** Blerg. The morning after St. Patrick’s Day. I feel crapulous.
Source: [Image via Shutterstock](http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/Image%20via%20Shutterstock) / via: [unusedwords.com](http://unusedwords.com/2013/03/03/crapulous/)
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**Meaning:** Sullen. An alternative to grumpy.
**Origin:** 1720s
**As in:** I’m hungover, and I’ve got a ton of work to do. Think I’m allowed to be grumpish.
Source: [Image by Carrie Antlfinger / AP](http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/Image%20by%20Carrie%20Antlfinger%20/%20AP) / via: [unusedwords.com](http://unusedwords.com/2013/03/05/grumpish/)
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**Meaning:** Freshly melted snow.
**Origin:** 1590s
**As in:** Yesterday we woke up to a perfect carpet of white, but now it’s just snowbroth. :-(
Source: [Image via Shutterstock](http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/Image%20via%20Shutterstock) / via: [@qikipedia](https://twitter.com/qikipedia/status/281017926939725824)
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**Meaning:** To confuse, bamboozle.
**Origin:** 1690s
**As in:** I don’t get string theory. It utterly jargogles my brain.
Source: [Image by Oli Scarff / Getty Images](http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/Image%20by%20Oli%20Scarff%20/%20Getty%20Images) / via: [matadornetwork.com](http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/20-obsolete-english-words-that-should-make-a-comeback/)
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**Meaning:** The sun’s warmth on a cold winter’s day.
**Origin:** 1620s
**As in:** Even in darkest December you sometimes get a moment of beautiful apricity.
Source: [Image via Shutterstock](http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/Image%20via%20Shutterstock) / via: [unusedwords.com](http://unusedwords.com/2012/07/04/apricity/)
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**Meaning:** To gossip, or talk idly.
**Origin:** 1600s
**As in**: I wish you’d quit twattling and get on with your work.
Source: [Image via Shutterstock](http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/Image%20via%20Shutterstock) / via: [onfictionwriting.com](http://onfictionwriting.com/taketen/Ten-Archaic-Words-We-Should-Revive/182/)
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**Meaning:** Tangled hair, as if matted by elves.
**Origin:** 1590s
**As in:** Jeez, dude, look at the state of those elflocks — have you not heard of a comb?
Source: [dogeed](http://www.flickr.com/photos/dogeed/4598365098/) / via: [qi.com](http://qi.com/)
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**Meaning:** To have a paralyzing or mesmerizing effect on someone.
**Origin:** Early 17th century
**As in:** Don’t look into his eyes. He’s so charismatic, you’ll be gorgonized.
Source: [jingleslenobel](http://www.flickr.com/photos/jingleslenobel/4971486823/) / via: [epeolotry](http://epeolotry.tumblr.com/)
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**Meaning:** A little man with a high opinion of himself.
**Origin:** 1710s
**As in:** He’s a boastful shortarse. Total cockalorum.
Source: [epeolotry.tumblr.com](http://epeolotry.tumblr.com/) / via: [jasonidzerda](http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonidzerda/4003273528/)
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**Meaning:** A good-looking person.
**Origin:** 1500s
**As in:** Alison Brie? Total snoutfair.
Source: [Image by Handout / Reuters](http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/Image%20by%20Handout%20/%20Reuters) / via: [deathandtaxesmag.com](http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/195348/18-obsolete-words-which-should-have-never-gone-out-of-style/)
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**Meaning:** Slang term for a fat person.
**Origin:** 1780s
**As in:** Time to go on a diet, I’m getting to be a right jollux.
Source: [facebook.com](https://www.facebook.com/donatella.venturelli.1) / via: [matadornetwork.com](http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/20-obsolete-english-words-that-should-make-a-comeback/)
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**Meaning:** The shock one feels upon first plunging into cold water.
**Origin:** Scots, 1800s
**As in:** Those outdoor swimmers must have balls of steel to cope with that kind of curglaff.
Source: [thatcutesite.com](http://www.thatcutesite.com/unhappy-owl-dislikes-showers.html) / via: [obsoleteword.blogspot.co.uk](http://obsoleteword.blogspot.co.uk/2006/03/curglaff.html)
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**Meaning:** To argue loudly about something inconsequential.
**Origin:** 1530s
**As in:** I can’t stand *Question Time*, it always descends into brabbling.
Source: [mrclean](http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrclean/371372515/) / via: [matadornetwork.com](http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/20-obsolete-english-words-that-should-make-a-comeback/)
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**Meaning:** An alternative to twilight.
**Origin:** Early 1600s
**As in:** London is at its most beautiful by twitter-light.
Source: [Image by Shutterstock](http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/Image%20by%20Shutterstock) / via: [matadornetwork.com](http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/20-obsolete-english-words-that-should-make-a-comeback/2/)
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**Meaning:** Walking while smoking a pipe.
**Origin:** 1820s
**As in:** I’m off for a post-lunch lunt, anyone care to join me?
Source: [Photo by Totororo-roro http://www.flickr.com/photos/totororo-roro/6796861623/](http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/Photo%20by%20Totororo-roro%20http://www.flickr.com/photos/totororo-roro/6796861623/) / via: [deathandtaxesmag.com](http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/195348/18-obsolete-words-which-should-have-never-gone-out-of-style/)
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**Meaning:** Stupid, imbecilic.
**Origin:** 1590s
**As in:** *The Only Way Is Essex* is a TV show for the terminally beef-witted.
Source: [flickr.com](http://www.flickr.com/photos/15531225@N03/1787079085/) / via: [deathandtaxesmag.com](http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/195348/18-obsolete-words-which-should-have-never-gone-out-of-style)
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**Meaning:** Wonderful and extraordinary.
**Origin:** 1810s
**As in**: The *Breaking Bad* finale was every bit as monsterful as I’d hoped.
Source: [martinteschner](http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinteschner/4569495912/) / via: [skylarkade.wordpress.com](http://skylarkade.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/thursday-13-obsolete-words/)
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**Meaning:** Having beautifully shaped buttocks.
**Origin:** 1640s
**As in:** I admire Beyoncé for her musical talent. The fact she is highly callipygian is neither here nor there.
Source: [urban_jungle](http://www.flickr.com/photos/urban_jungle/3982591216/) / via: [mentalfloss.com](http://mentalfloss.com/article/48829/11-words-dont-mean-what-they-sound)
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**Meaning:** To make drunk, intoxicate.
**Origin:** 1910s
**As in:** It’s never a good idea to operate heavy machinery while fuzzled.
Source: [Image via Shutterstock](http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/Image%20via%20Shutterstock) / via: [skylarkade.wordpress.com](http://skylarkade.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/thursday-13-obsolete-words/)
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**Meaning:** A wooden puppet, controlled by strings.
**Origin: 1850s**
**As in:** The president has no real power, he is a mere quockerwodger.
Source: [Image via Shutterstock](http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/Image%20via%20Shutterstock) / via: [epeolotry](http://epeolotry.tumblr.com/)
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**Meaning:** The seemingly malevolent behaviour displayed by inanimate objects.
**Origin:** 1940s
**As in:** That water bottle looks like it wants to kill me. It exhibits resistentialism.
Source: [Image via Shutterstock](http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/Image%20via%20Shutterstock) / via: [obsoleteword.blogspot.co.uk](http://obsoleteword.blogspot.co.uk/2006_04_01_archive.html)
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**Meaning:** The fear of oblivion.
**Origin:** 1700s
**As in:** I’m terrified the world is about to end. I am lethophobic.
Source: [Image via Shutterstock](http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/Image%20via%20Shutterstock) / via: [epeolotry](http://epeolotry.tumblr.com/)
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**Meaning:** A slovenly, slobbering person.
**Origin:** 1650s
**As in:** Look at that sluberdegullion, sprawled on the sofa with his tongue lolling out.
Source: [Image via Shutterstock](http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/Image%20via%20Shutterstock) / via: [obsoleteword.blogspot.co.uk](http://obsoleteword.blogspot.co.uk/2006_01_01_archive.html)
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**Meaning:** A low rumbling sound produced by the bowels.
**Origin:** 1880s
**As in:** Nothing worse than audibly curmuring during a job interview.
Source: [Image via Shutterstock](http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukelewis/Image%20via%20Shutterstock) / via: [obsoleteword.blogspot.co.uk](http://obsoleteword.blogspot.co.uk/2006_01_01_archive.html)
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**Meaning:** Heavy rain.
**Origin:** Early 1900s
**As in:** Christ, it’s absolutely lumming down.
Source: [freehqimage.com](http://www.freehqimage.com/) / via: [obsoleteword.blogspot.co.uk](http://obsoleteword.blogspot.co.uk/2006_12_01_archive.html)
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