Gransnet forums

Chat

Words we don't use any more

(394 Posts)
Magenta8 Sun 10-May-26 16:52:51

I was thinking about words that my parents used that are not in common usage anymore.

The ones that spring to mind are; slacks (trousers), wind cheater (anorak), wireless (radio) and drawers (knickers).

I am sure there are many more and probably some interesting regional words that have fallen into disuse.

Oldnproud Sun 17-May-26 18:52:57

Crimplene

Cardamom Sun 17-May-26 19:21:49

Nylons. Gymslips. School satchels.

Allira Sun 17-May-26 20:05:54

Nanny27

jacjacky i know the word 'lairy' to be used as slightly drunk

And loud, perhaps aggressive.

JoyBloggs Sun 17-May-26 20:41:48

Great thread, thank you Magenta... haven't managed to read it all so apologies if I'm repeating words that have already featured...

Counterpane
Winklepickers
Clodhoppers
Nylons (=stockings)

JoyBloggs Sun 17-May-26 20:45:22

Oops, just saw counterpane and nylons blush

Allira Sun 17-May-26 21:00:13

Spiv

Gran22boys Sun 17-May-26 23:08:54

Twit or twerp
Daft isn’t used much now either
Gribbles (bits of batter when you buy fish & chips.

Boadicea Tue 19-May-26 02:37:49

Gran22boys

Twit or twerp
Daft isn’t used much now either
Gribbles (bits of batter when you buy fish & chips.

What you called gribbles (I love that word!) we call scrumps.

gentleshores Tue 19-May-26 03:21:38

Nithered. I only remember my Grandmother saying that though.

NotSpaghetti Tue 19-May-26 06:41:54

Also mithered, mithering and mither

Oreo Tue 19-May-26 09:52:21

Pandemonium

Oreo Tue 19-May-26 09:52:51

Boadicea

Gran22boys

Twit or twerp
Daft isn’t used much now either
Gribbles (bits of batter when you buy fish & chips.

What you called gribbles (I love that word!) we call scrumps.

I call them scraps😄

fancyflowers Tue 19-May-26 11:53:26

Bonnet
Bloomers (my mother wore them)
Twist dress
Whitsy (Whitsuntide) best (clothes)
Courting
Foreign muck (my mother again, meaning garlic and anything that wasn't cabbage)

MissAdventure Tue 19-May-26 12:18:41

Courting, snogging.

JoyBloggs Tue 19-May-26 12:23:48

'Snogging'... that's a good one Miss A !!! grin

Witzend Tue 19-May-26 12:32:35

Blithering (idiot)

Jaberwok Tue 19-May-26 12:41:01

Scaramouche, Shilly Shallying.!

Jaberwok Tue 19-May-26 12:44:43

A bounder and a cad!

Oreo Tue 19-May-26 12:45:51

Jaberwok

A bounder and a cad!

Love those, let’s bring them back into use😁

Oreo Tue 19-May-26 12:46:35

Scoundrel

Oreo Tue 19-May-26 12:46:48

Waif

Magenta8 Tue 19-May-26 13:09:11

A few years back there was a lot of talk about Estuary English - not quite what it was.

Doodledog Tue 19-May-26 13:14:12

gentleshores

Nithered. I only remember my Grandmother saying that though.

I still say that grin. And 'nithering' for 'freezing' (weather).

LadyGaGa Tue 19-May-26 13:32:39

And
Daft ‘aperth. My parents always said this. Can’t spell it though! It’s short for ‘ha’penny worth’ As in ‘keep your hand on your ha’penny’ 😂

Oldnproud Tue 19-May-26 14:34:13

Living in sin.

I can still remember long conversations over the dinner table with my parents about the word 'partner' when it first started to be used by couples who were unmarried. It sounded ridiculous to their generation, and still a little odd even to most of mine back then, I think. I think that was in the late '80s.
How things change 😁