Buzz
Over the centuries, the English language has undergone significant transformations, rendering many words unrecognizable or obsolete. Some words faded due to changes in pronunciation or usage, while others vanished entirely. Yet, a handful of ancient terms have endured, thanks to their inclusion in timeless idiomatic expressions. Here are 12 such words that have survived by becoming embedded in phrases still in use today.
1. Wend
The word wend is seldom used alone today, often paired with way. You might wend your way through a crowd or along a path, but it’s rare to hear someone say they wend to a destination. Historically, however, wend was a common term meaning go in Old English. Its past tense, went, was used alongside gaed, the past tense of go. By the 15th century, go became the standard verb, though went persisted as its past tense, resulting in the irregular verb structure we use today.
2. Deserts
The term desert in the expression "just deserts" doesn’t refer to arid landscapes or sweet treats. Originating from an Old French word meaning deserve, it entered English in the 13th century to signify "what one deserves." When someone receives their just deserts, they are getting their rightful due. Interestingly, the word dessert, which refers to the sweet course of a meal, comes from a separate French borrowing.
3. Eke
Today, eke is primarily used in the phrase "eke out," as in eking out a living. Historically, it stems from an Old English verb meaning to add, increase, or supplement. This same root gave us the term eke-name, meaning an additional name, which eventually evolved into the modern word nickname due to the misinterpretation of "an eke-name."
4. Sleight
The phrase "sleight of hand" is often misunderstood. Sleight is frequently confused with slight, and the confusion is understandable. The expression evokes the idea of quick, nimble fingers, which aligns with the notion of smallness suggested by slight. Additionally, an alternative term for this concept is legerdemain, derived from the French léger de main, meaning "light of hand." However, sleight originates from a Middle English word signifying "cunning" or "trickery," making it a fittingly deceptive word.
5. Dint
The word dint traces back to Old English, where it initially referred to a strike delivered with a sword or similar weapon. Over time, it evolved to represent the broader concept of achieving something through force. Today, it survives in the phrase "by dint of X," where X can symbolize qualities like charisma, effort, intelligence, or any means used to accomplish a goal.
6. Roughshod
Today, this term appears in the expression "to run/ride roughshod" over someone or something, implying domination or harsh treatment. Its origins lie in 17th-century equestrian practices, where a "rough-shod" horse had shoes with protruding nails for better traction on slippery surfaces. While effective for the horse’s stability, it was less favorable for anyone unfortunate enough to be stepped on.
7. Fro
The term fro in the phrase "to and fro" is a preserved fragment of a Northern English or Scottish pronunciation of from. It also appeared in other outdated expressions such as "fro and till," "to do fro" (meaning to remove), and "of or fro" (indicating for or against).
8. Hue
The hue in "hue and cry," referring to the loud uproar of a crowd, is unrelated to the hue associated with color. The color-related term originates from the Old English word híew, meaning "appearance." In contrast, this hue derives from the Old French hu or heu, an onomatopoeic word similar to hoot.
9. Kith
The term kith in "kith and kin" originates from an Old English word meaning knowledge or familiarity. It also referred to one’s homeland or native country, the place one knew best. Initially, the phrase "kith and kin" denoted one’s country and family, but over time, it broadened to encompass friends and relatives.
10. Lurch
To leave someone "in the lurch" means to abandon them in a difficult or precarious situation. Although being left in the lurch might make you feel unsteady or off-balance, the word lurch in this context has a different origin than the nautical term for a sudden tilt. It stems from an old French game similar to backgammon called lourche, where lurch described a decisive victory over an opponent. Over time, it evolved to signify gaining an advantage over someone or leaving them at a disadvantage.
11. Umbrage
The word umbrage derives from the Old French ombrage, meaning shade or shadow. It was once used to describe literal shade from the sun but later took on figurative meanings related to suspicion, doubt, or offense. To "give umbrage" meant to offend or "throw shade." Today, however, the term is more commonly associated with someone taking offense rather than giving it.
12. Shrift
While the term shrift has largely faded from modern usage, its association with confession remains. A shrift referred to either a confession, which one might prefer to keep brief, or a penance assigned by a priest, which one would certainly want to minimize. The phrase "short shrift" originated from the practice of allowing a brief period for the condemned to confess before execution, making brevity far from desirable in this grim context.
This list was first published in 2015 and republished in 2019.
