Words come and go
Author: NiamhHas it ever occurred to you how some words seem to disappear from our language? Obviously changes of equipment are partly responsible. We rarely, for instance, refer to telephones nowadays. Instead we simply say mobile or cell. Yet we don’t have robbers any more. They are all thieves nowadays and they don’t go to jail they go to prison. Have you heard the word vagabond lately either? They will usually be described as down and outs or travellers or even gypsies. While the French may use the word Belle we rarely describe anyone nowadays as being the belle of the ball.
Then there are the words that are no longer politically correct. We cannot say anyone is handicapped any more. They must be described as disabled. Illegal aliens have become undocumented residents.
There are always differences in usage in different countries. In the U.S. an auto has a trunk. In Britain that is what an elephant has. Their cars have boots. The disappearance or non-use of words though is more puzzling. How long is it since you have heard anybody described as crabby and does anyone you know gad around anymore or do you know anyone who is a gaby?
Nowadays if you said you gave the child a fondle you would probably be arrested but once upon a time it was a word used to describe cuddling a baby. The world is full of words that come and go and the language is often the loser for their going.
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