Here’s a list of 18 old words that I can’t see regaining usage on 21st century tongues, these folks can: Snoutfair, Pussyvan, Wonder-wench, Lunting, California widow, Groak, Jirble, Curglaff, Spermologer, Tyromancy. There are a few others. Now, I can see bookwright as a useful word. It was apparently a bit of an insult. The others have shortcomings. Follow the link for definitions (via Lintefiniel).
I particularly like “resistencialism.”
I don’t know–I think I should get my husband to call me “wonderwench,” if I can distract him from his devotion to resistentialism. And my children are certainly known to groak.
Ha! Wonderwench is an awful word, but I guess if you don’t mind wench as a general term, then it’s okay. Snoutfair sounds like a word a Wodehouse character would use.
I think my great-aunts worked as soda-squirts, in NM, no less. But I wouldn’t dare call them that…
“Resistentialism” is a FABULOUS word. My life is a little happier now.