sciolist (n.) - one who only pretends to be knowledgeable on subjects
BY REBECCA SANDBERG
“Good words are worth much and cost little,” writes George Herbert. Language, like sand, is perhaps the bridge between the ocean and the land – between the tumultuous and the solid. We sink our feet into the shifting yet sturdy particles that keep us in contact and connection with all inhabitants of the earth.
Language as Fulcrum
Precarious to be sure – to base so much of life on words – our contracts and conversations, commitments and communication – all suspended by language and the way it is used. It is foreboding perhaps to realize how much we rely on language – a fulcrum that gives potentiality to what is beautiful, true, and has depth enough to linger. Joe Gillard, creator of History Hustle, in his amusing and delightful compilation, The Little Book of Lost Words: Collywobbles, Snollygosters, and 86 other Surprisingly Useful Terms Worth Resurrecting states:
Words, like traditions and customs, drop out of use when they go out of fashion. But unlike customs, which are tied to specific norms of their time, words can be brought back with an updated context!
(...)
Practicality may chip away at our language, but the magic of the lost words in this book ought not to be forgotten.
Words as Things
Like any long-term communal tool - language requires commitment. It takes enormous effort to read well, write well and take part in poesis - the bringing forth of words - or as literacy advocate, Maryann Wolf calls it - "cognitive patience".
In speaking of old words, Gillard mentions the usual suspects - those whose inordinate commitment to language still roots wordplay to this day. He states:
English has had many periods of playful linguistic experimentation – just consider the times of Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Dickens. English was formed in part by the requirements of playwrights, novelists, poets speakers, actors, farmers, drinkers, and jokers to express themselves.
In harmony with Lord Byron’s sentiment in Don Juan,
But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling like dew, upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.
Or Mark Twain’s sentiment in a letter to George Bainton in 1888:
The difference between the almost-right word and the right word is really a large matter – it’s the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.
Forgotten Language
Gillard considers words that have fallen out of fashion – a list of words to be reconsidered:
Opscheplooper – (noun) – aph-shep-loo-per
Early twentieth century. South African slang.
One who depends on the generosity of others for meals.
Notekin – (noun) – noht-kin
Nineteenth century. English.
A little note.
Mumpsimus – (noun) – muhmp-si-muhs
Sixteenth century. English.
A stubborn person who refuses to change their mind despite being proven wrong.
Maffick – (verb) – maf-ik
Early twentieth century. English.
To celebrate in an extravagant, rowdy manner.
Sonntagsleerung – noun –
Early twentieth century. German. Medical terminology.
The depression one feels on Sunday before the week begins.
Ramfeezled – adjective – ram – feez-uh’ld
Eighteenth century. English.
Exhausted from a hard day of work.
And last but not least...
Amphigory – noun – am-fi-gohr-ee
Nineteenth century. English.
A piece of writing that appears to have meaning but is really just foolish nonsense.