Gallimaufry : a hodgepodge of our vanishing vocabulary

What is a __gallimaufry__ anyway? And when did you last hear someone refer to the __wireless__? What was the original __paraphernalia__? Would you wear a __billycock__? Language is always changing, and here Michael Quinion, author of the bestselling __POSH and other language myths__, has gathered together some fascinating examples of words and meanings which have vanished from our language. Sometimes a word is lost when the thing it describes becomes obsolete, sometimes it survives in a figurative sense while the original meaning is lost, and sometimes it simply gives way to a more popular alternative. The story of these and many other words opens a window into the lives of past speakers of the English language. Features • An entertaining look at words which have vanished from current English • The story of over 1300 words, from able-wackets to zingerilla • Subject organization shows how language in an area has changed over the years • Fascinating insights into lives and beliefs of the past from an unexpected angle Words Are Always Changing, And Here Language Writer Michael Quinion Has Made His Own Selection Of Some Of The Most Interesting Examples Of Words And Meanings That Are Vanishing From Our Vocabulary. Sometimes A Word Is Lost When The Thing It Describes Becomes Obsolete: Would You Wear A Billycock? Sometimes It Survives In A Figurative Sense While The Original Meaning Is Lost: What Was The First Paraphernalia? Sometimes It Simply Gives Way To A More Popular Alternative: Who Still Goes To The Picture House To Watch The Talkies? The Story Of These And Many Other Words Is Brought To Life By The Author, And Illustrated By Numerous Historical References And Quotations Form Writers Down The Years, Including Samuel Pepys And Jane Austen, William Shakespeare And Patrick O'brian.--jacket. Food And Drink -- Health And Medicine -- Entertainment And Leisure -- Transport And Fashion -- Names, Employment, And Communications. Michael Quinion. Includes Index. When did you last hear someone refer to the wireless ? What was the original paraphernalia ? Would you wear a billycock ? Language is always changing, and in A Hodge-Podge of Words Vanishing from Our Vocabulary Michael Quinion has gathered together some fascinating examples of words and meanings which have vanished from our language. Sometimes a word is lost when the thing it describes becomes obsolete, sometimes it survives in a figurative sense while the original meaning is lost, and sometimes it simply gives way to a more popular alternative. The story of these and many other words opens a window into the lives of past speakers of the English language. As well as a gallimaufry, our forebears might have eaten flummery and hasty pudding; taken medicines such as rosolic and Venice treacle; relaxed by playing loggets and closh, or dancing the caterbrawl; worn galligaskins or clothes made of linsey-woolsey; and worked as saggar-maker's bottom knockers. In this fascinating gallimaufry of words vanishing from the English language, Michael Quinion has many entertaining tales to tell and opens a window into lives in days gone by. This entertaining book looks at words which have vanished from current English and offers fascinating insights into the lives and beliefs of the past from an unexpected angle. Each chapter looks at how the words we no longer use reflect how life has changed in that area, from food we no longer eat to clothes we no longer wear. Looks at words which have vanished from English and offers insights into the lives and beliefs of the past from an unexpected angle. This book examines how the words we no longer use reflect how life has changed in that area, from food we no longer eat to clothes we no longer wear. "Language is always changing, and here Michael Quinion has gathered together some fascinating examples of words and meanings which have vanished from our language."--- provided by publisher