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Words we don't use any more

(45 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.

boheminan Sun 10-May-26 18:28:11

'Don't forget to pull the chain'...

Grannybags Sun 10-May-26 18:17:05

Underskirt
Petticoat
Slip

All mean the same thing!

Labradora Sun 10-May-26 18:16:22

Grannmarie

Mantlepiece
Bureau
Tallboy
Dresser
Display cabinet

Totally!!!!!

Grannybags Sun 10-May-26 18:14:44

Casdon

Words my parents still use but I haven’t heard anybody else say for many years are chuntering and gallivanting.

We still chunter!

Labradora Sun 10-May-26 18:14:39

As well , "bonny" , "terrifying" and "frightening "often displaced by the puerile "scary". How I hate hearing adults use that word.

GreyKnitter Sun 10-May-26 18:13:29

Vestibule - entrance hall and quilt for duvet.

Labradora Sun 10-May-26 18:12:14

"Stout" is a good one.
We had a delightful but undeniably bonny girl in our class of 14 year olds and she subscribed , like most of us, to converting the school uniform skirt to a mini by rolling up the waist band. This provoked one of the nuns to state at form time (without naming names thank God) that if you are " stout" you should dress accordingly.
I hasten to point out that stoutness has stalked me my entire life.......

MissAdventure Sun 10-May-26 18:06:46

Dictaphone.
As in "May i use your dictaphone"?
"No, use your finger like everybody else!"

ViceVersa Sun 10-May-26 18:06:46

Kate1949

Housecoat (dressing gown)

My husband still calls it that.

MissAdventure Sun 10-May-26 18:04:18

The box- the tv.
Couch.

ferry23 Sun 10-May-26 18:03:48

MissAdventure

Will you do the fandango? smile

Lol - I should have sung to the end of that line, than I could have claimed fandango grin

MissAdventure Sun 10-May-26 18:01:04

Will you do the fandango? smile

ferry23 Sun 10-May-26 17:58:53

Forsooth
Strumpet
Walkman
Floppy Disc
Scaramouche (unless you frequently sing the lyrics of Bohemian Rhapsody)

Oldnproud Sun 10-May-26 17:58:24

I'm going back a generation further - my grandparents always referred to the 'wireless', not the 'radio'. For me it was a radio, and was - still is - a part of my life. But my own children long-since stopped listening to the radio, and to my grandchildren, that word must sound totally archaic now!

Gran22boys Sun 10-May-26 17:56:39

Such an interesting thread. Having read all the posts I realise my grandchildren would not understand anything that has been mentioned. And I doubt my adult children would either.
My contribution is cruet set.

Grannmarie Sun 10-May-26 17:52:05

Mantlepiece
Bureau
Tallboy
Dresser
Display cabinet

MissAdventure Sun 10-May-26 17:51:02

Singlet.

Fallingstar Sun 10-May-26 17:50:51

Sunday best, handkerchief, courting, eiderdown.

MissAdventure Sun 10-May-26 17:50:48

Brassier.

Grannmarie Sun 10-May-26 17:49:50

Petticoat
Liberty bodice
Scullery
Bottom drawer

MissAdventure Sun 10-May-26 17:48:45

Gay meaning happy.

Nell82 Sun 10-May-26 17:46:45

Yonks

MissAdventure Sun 10-May-26 17:43:35

Bog, for toilet.
Nice one, Cyril.

Nell82 Sun 10-May-26 17:40:55

I don't hear the word "pail" used for a bucket these days

Casdon Sun 10-May-26 17:31:17

Words my parents still use but I haven’t heard anybody else say for many years are chuntering and gallivanting.