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Thread: Are these words obsolete?

  1. 12-Aug-2011, 16:01 #1
    Brox
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    Post Are these words obsolete?

    erstwhile
    drawback
    befoul
    earnest
    unforeseen
    forbidding
    hinder
    uncouth
    steadfast
    setback
    gladden
    hold sway
    right away
    swine
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  2. 12-Aug-2011, 16:06 #2
    Gillnetter
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    Default Re: Are these words obsolete?

    Quote Originally Posted by Brox View Post
    erstwhile
    drawback
    befoul - Used in a very formal sense. Not too common but it is current in the US.
    earnest
    unforeseen
    forbidding
    hinder
    uncouth
    steadfast
    setback
    gladden
    hold sway
    right away
    swine
    They all seem to be fairly common. People using these words would most probably have a higher than average education.
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  3. 12-Aug-2011, 16:39 #3
    SoothingDave
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    Default Re: Are these words obsolete?

    "Erstwhile" is not a word I have seen used. The others are OK, except maybe for "gladden."
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  4. 12-Aug-2011, 17:18 #4
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    bhaisahab
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    Default Re: Are these words obsolete?

    They all seem fairly common to me, I agree with Gil about "befoul".
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  5. 12-Aug-2011, 17:22 #5
    Michael84
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    Default Re: Are these words obsolete?

    not a teacher

    I don't get what the OP is trying to express with "obsolete words". It depends on the context whether one can omit (or replace it with a less formal word) a certain words If the OP suggests that these words are obsolete in today's language I strongly disagree.
    Last edited by Michael84; 12-Aug-2011 at 17:29. Reason: added ()
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  6. 13-Aug-2011, 11:25 #6
    Tdol
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    Default Re: Are these words obsolete?

    They're all used currently, so, regardless of frequency or context, I would say they're not obsolete.
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