Our "scary word" for today is from Edgar Allan Poe. It's "metempsychosis," meaning "the passing of the soul at death into another body."
Usage example: "Metzengerstein," first published in 1832:
en.wikisource.org/wiki/Poe%27s...
Happy Halloween! See you Monday!
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
Usage example: "Metzengerstein," first published in 1832:
en.wikisource.org/wiki/Poe%27s...
Happy Halloween! See you Monday!
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
Poe's Tales of Mystery and Imagination/Metzengerstein - Wikisource, the free online library
en.wikisource.org
October 30, 2026 at 9:28 AM
Our "scary word" for today is from Edgar Allan Poe. It's "metempsychosis," meaning "the passing of the soul at death into another body."
Usage example: "Metzengerstein," first published in 1832:
en.wikisource.org/wiki/Poe%27s...
Happy Halloween! See you Monday!
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
Usage example: "Metzengerstein," first published in 1832:
en.wikisource.org/wiki/Poe%27s...
Happy Halloween! See you Monday!
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
Our "scary word" for today is from H. P. Lovecraft. It's "cyclopean," meaning "a style of stone construction marked typically by the use of large irregular blocks."
Usage example: "The Haunter of the Dark" (1936):
www.hplovecraft.com/writings/tex...
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
Usage example: "The Haunter of the Dark" (1936):
www.hplovecraft.com/writings/tex...
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
www.hplovecraft.com
October 29, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Our "scary word" for today is from H. P. Lovecraft. It's "cyclopean," meaning "a style of stone construction marked typically by the use of large irregular blocks."
Usage example: "The Haunter of the Dark" (1936):
www.hplovecraft.com/writings/tex...
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
Usage example: "The Haunter of the Dark" (1936):
www.hplovecraft.com/writings/tex...
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
We'll start with Edgar Allan Poe. His poem "Dreamland," published in June 1844, features the word "Eidolon," meaning "apparition."
By a route obscure and lonely,
Haunted by ill angels only,
Where an Eidolon, named NIGHT,
On a black throne reigns upright...
(2 of 2)
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
By a route obscure and lonely,
Haunted by ill angels only,
Where an Eidolon, named NIGHT,
On a black throne reigns upright...
(2 of 2)
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
October 26, 2026 at 10:22 AM
We'll start with Edgar Allan Poe. His poem "Dreamland," published in June 1844, features the word "Eidolon," meaning "apparition."
By a route obscure and lonely,
Haunted by ill angels only,
Where an Eidolon, named NIGHT,
On a black throne reigns upright...
(2 of 2)
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
By a route obscure and lonely,
Haunted by ill angels only,
Where an Eidolon, named NIGHT,
On a black throne reigns upright...
(2 of 2)
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
Our "scary word" for today is from M. R. James. It's "preceptory," meaning "a subordinate house or community of the Knights Templars."
See "Oh Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad," from "Ghost Stories of an Antiquary" (1904):
www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8486
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
See "Oh Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad," from "Ghost Stories of an Antiquary" (1904):
www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8486
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
Ghost Stories of an Antiquary by M. R. James
Ghost Stories of an Antiquary by M. R. James. Free eBook digitized and proofread by volunteers.
www.gutenberg.org
October 28, 2026 at 10:26 AM
Our "scary word" for today is from M. R. James. It's "preceptory," meaning "a subordinate house or community of the Knights Templars."
See "Oh Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad," from "Ghost Stories of an Antiquary" (1904):
www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8486
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
See "Oh Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad," from "Ghost Stories of an Antiquary" (1904):
www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8486
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
Our "scary word" for today is from H. P. Lovecraft. It's "eldritch," meaning "strange or unnatural, especially in a way that inspires fear."
If you haven't read HPL, start here: www.hplovecraft.com/writings/tex...
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
If you haven't read HPL, start here: www.hplovecraft.com/writings/tex...
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
"The Call of Cthulhu" by H. P. Lovecraft
'The Call of Cthulhu' by H. P. Lovecraft
www.hplovecraft.com
October 27, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Our "scary word" for today is from H. P. Lovecraft. It's "eldritch," meaning "strange or unnatural, especially in a way that inspires fear."
If you haven't read HPL, start here: www.hplovecraft.com/writings/tex...
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
If you haven't read HPL, start here: www.hplovecraft.com/writings/tex...
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
Hello! In honor of Halloween, we'll be looking at some of the favorite words of classic horror authors. Think of this as "scary words from scary writers."
Our source for definitions is the Twelfth Edition of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.
(1 of 2)
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
Our source for definitions is the Twelfth Edition of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.
(1 of 2)
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
October 26, 2026 at 10:22 AM
Hello! In honor of Halloween, we'll be looking at some of the favorite words of classic horror authors. Think of this as "scary words from scary writers."
Our source for definitions is the Twelfth Edition of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.
(1 of 2)
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
Our source for definitions is the Twelfth Edition of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.
(1 of 2)
#ClassicLit #EarlyModernEnglish
Today's early 20th century US criminal slang term is "shilliver," which was "an epithet applied to apprentice crooks."
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
See you Monday!
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
See you Monday!
October 23, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Today's early 20th century US criminal slang term is "shilliver," which was "an epithet applied to apprentice crooks."
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
See you Monday!
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
See you Monday!
Today's early 20th century US criminal slang term is "cose," meaning "a five-cent piece."
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
October 22, 2026 at 9:28 AM
Today's early 20th century US criminal slang term is "cose," meaning "a five-cent piece."
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
Today's early 20th century US criminal slang term is "kitty hop," meaning "a heads-I-win-tails-you-lose situation or proposition; a 'double-cross;' a 'frame-up,' in which 'both ends may be played against the middle.' Also used to indicate a practical joke."
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
October 21, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Today's early 20th century US criminal slang term is "kitty hop," meaning "a heads-I-win-tails-you-lose situation or proposition; a 'double-cross;' a 'frame-up,' in which 'both ends may be played against the middle.' Also used to indicate a practical joke."
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
Today's early 20th century US criminal slang term is "flaggings," meaning "meat of any description, usually applied to cold victuals."
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
October 20, 2026 at 9:53 AM
Today's early 20th century US criminal slang term is "flaggings," meaning "meat of any description, usually applied to cold victuals."
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
Today's early 20th century US criminal slang term is "broad spieler," meaning "an expert at Three Card Monte."
www.wikihow.com/3-Card-Monte
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
(2 of 2)
www.wikihow.com/3-Card-Monte
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
(2 of 2)
3 Card Monte: Card Trick and Scam Explained
Learn this classic trick and how to recognize scammers with our guideThe 3-card monte, also known as "Follow the Lady" or the "Three Card Trick," is one of the oldest tricks in the book. While it star...
www.wikihow.com
October 19, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Today's early 20th century US criminal slang term is "broad spieler," meaning "an expert at Three Card Monte."
www.wikihow.com/3-Card-Monte
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
(2 of 2)
www.wikihow.com/3-Card-Monte
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
(2 of 2)
Hello! This week we'll look at early 20th century US criminal slang. Our source is "A Vocabulary Of Criminal Slang With Some Examples Of Common Usages," by Louis E. Jackson and C. R. Hellyer.
See Project Gutenberg: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/76632
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
(1 of 2)
See Project Gutenberg: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/76632
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
(1 of 2)
A vocabulary of criminal slang : with some examples of common usages by Jackson
A vocabulary of criminal slang : with some examples of common usages by Jackson. Free eBook digitized and proofread by volunteers.
www.gutenberg.org
October 19, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Hello! This week we'll look at early 20th century US criminal slang. Our source is "A Vocabulary Of Criminal Slang With Some Examples Of Common Usages," by Louis E. Jackson and C. R. Hellyer.
See Project Gutenberg: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/76632
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
(1 of 2)
See Project Gutenberg: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/76632
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
(1 of 2)
October 1st: The outdated term for today is "ebb-water," meaning "when there's but little money left in the pocket."
Source: "B. E., Gentleman." (1699.) A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew. London: W. Hawes, P. Gilbourne, W. Davis.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
Source: "B. E., Gentleman." (1699.) A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew. London: W. Hawes, P. Gilbourne, W. Davis.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
October 1, 2026 at 10:40 AM
October 1st: The outdated term for today is "ebb-water," meaning "when there's but little money left in the pocket."
Source: "B. E., Gentleman." (1699.) A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew. London: W. Hawes, P. Gilbourne, W. Davis.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
Source: "B. E., Gentleman." (1699.) A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew. London: W. Hawes, P. Gilbourne, W. Davis.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
September 30th: Today’s outdated word is from Dr. Johnson's 1755 dictionary.
"Antick," adj. "Odd; ridiculously wild; buffoon in gesticulation."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
"Antick," adj. "Odd; ridiculously wild; buffoon in gesticulation."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
September 30, 2026 at 8:47 AM
September 30th: Today’s outdated word is from Dr. Johnson's 1755 dictionary.
"Antick," adj. "Odd; ridiculously wild; buffoon in gesticulation."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
"Antick," adj. "Odd; ridiculously wild; buffoon in gesticulation."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
September 24th: The outdated term for today is "lurched," meaning "beaten at any game." This is somehow related to the expression "left in the lurch."
Source: "B. E., Gentleman." (1699.) A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew. London: Hawes, Gilbourne, Davis.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
Source: "B. E., Gentleman." (1699.) A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew. London: Hawes, Gilbourne, Davis.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
September 24, 2026 at 10:37 AM
September 24th: The outdated term for today is "lurched," meaning "beaten at any game." This is somehow related to the expression "left in the lurch."
Source: "B. E., Gentleman." (1699.) A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew. London: Hawes, Gilbourne, Davis.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
Source: "B. E., Gentleman." (1699.) A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew. London: Hawes, Gilbourne, Davis.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
September 23rd: Today’s outdated word is from Dr. Johnson's 1755 dictionary.
"Trucklebed," noun. "A bed that runs on wheels under a higher bed."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
"Trucklebed," noun. "A bed that runs on wheels under a higher bed."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
September 23, 2026 at 9:21 AM
September 23rd: Today’s outdated word is from Dr. Johnson's 1755 dictionary.
"Trucklebed," noun. "A bed that runs on wheels under a higher bed."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
"Trucklebed," noun. "A bed that runs on wheels under a higher bed."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
September 17th: The outdated term for today is "Yarmouth-coach," meaning "a sorry low cart to ride on, drawn by one horse."
Source: "B. E., Gentleman." (1699.) A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew. London: W. Hawes, P. Gilbourne, W. Davis.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
Source: "B. E., Gentleman." (1699.) A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew. London: W. Hawes, P. Gilbourne, W. Davis.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
September 17, 2026 at 10:25 AM
September 17th: The outdated term for today is "Yarmouth-coach," meaning "a sorry low cart to ride on, drawn by one horse."
Source: "B. E., Gentleman." (1699.) A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew. London: W. Hawes, P. Gilbourne, W. Davis.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
Source: "B. E., Gentleman." (1699.) A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew. London: W. Hawes, P. Gilbourne, W. Davis.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
September 16th: Today’s outdated word is from Dr. Johnson's 1755 dictionary.
"Relume," verb. "To light anew; to rekindle."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
"Relume," verb. "To light anew; to rekindle."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
September 16, 2026 at 10:22 AM
September 16th: Today’s outdated word is from Dr. Johnson's 1755 dictionary.
"Relume," verb. "To light anew; to rekindle."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
"Relume," verb. "To light anew; to rekindle."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
September 2nd: The outdated word for today is "wafer-woman," meaning "a seller of wafer-cakes, freq. mentioned as employed in amorous embassies."
Source: Skeat, W., Mayhew, A.L. (1914.) A Glossary of Tudor and Stuart Words. Clarendon Press (Oxford).
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
Source: Skeat, W., Mayhew, A.L. (1914.) A Glossary of Tudor and Stuart Words. Clarendon Press (Oxford).
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
September 2, 2026 at 3:32 PM
September 2nd: The outdated word for today is "wafer-woman," meaning "a seller of wafer-cakes, freq. mentioned as employed in amorous embassies."
Source: Skeat, W., Mayhew, A.L. (1914.) A Glossary of Tudor and Stuart Words. Clarendon Press (Oxford).
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
Source: Skeat, W., Mayhew, A.L. (1914.) A Glossary of Tudor and Stuart Words. Clarendon Press (Oxford).
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
September 1st: Today’s outdated word is from Dr. Johnson's 1755 dictionary.
"Frenchify," verb. "To infect with the manner of the French; to make a coxcomb."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
"Frenchify," verb. "To infect with the manner of the French; to make a coxcomb."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
September 1, 2026 at 9:17 AM
September 1st: Today’s outdated word is from Dr. Johnson's 1755 dictionary.
"Frenchify," verb. "To infect with the manner of the French; to make a coxcomb."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
"Frenchify," verb. "To infect with the manner of the French; to make a coxcomb."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
August 27th: The outdated word for today is "uberous," meaning "fertile."
Source: Skeat, W., Mayhew, A.L. (1914.) A Glossary of Tudor and Stuart Words, Especially from the Dramatists. Clarendon Press (Oxford).
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
Source: Skeat, W., Mayhew, A.L. (1914.) A Glossary of Tudor and Stuart Words, Especially from the Dramatists. Clarendon Press (Oxford).
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
August 27, 2026 at 9:40 AM
August 27th: The outdated word for today is "uberous," meaning "fertile."
Source: Skeat, W., Mayhew, A.L. (1914.) A Glossary of Tudor and Stuart Words, Especially from the Dramatists. Clarendon Press (Oxford).
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
Source: Skeat, W., Mayhew, A.L. (1914.) A Glossary of Tudor and Stuart Words, Especially from the Dramatists. Clarendon Press (Oxford).
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
August 26th: Today’s outdated word is from Dr. Johnson's 1755 dictionary.
"Linctus," noun. "Medicine licked up by the tongue."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
"Linctus," noun. "Medicine licked up by the tongue."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
August 26, 2026 at 9:43 AM
August 26th: Today’s outdated word is from Dr. Johnson's 1755 dictionary.
"Linctus," noun. "Medicine licked up by the tongue."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
"Linctus," noun. "Medicine licked up by the tongue."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
August 20th: The outdated word for today is "hæmony," a "name given by Milton to an imaginary plant having supernatural virtues."
Source: Skeat, W., Mayhew, A.L. (1914.) A Glossary of Tudor and Stuart Words. Clarendon Press (Oxford).
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
Source: Skeat, W., Mayhew, A.L. (1914.) A Glossary of Tudor and Stuart Words. Clarendon Press (Oxford).
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
August 20, 2026 at 10:08 AM
August 20th: The outdated word for today is "hæmony," a "name given by Milton to an imaginary plant having supernatural virtues."
Source: Skeat, W., Mayhew, A.L. (1914.) A Glossary of Tudor and Stuart Words. Clarendon Press (Oxford).
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
Source: Skeat, W., Mayhew, A.L. (1914.) A Glossary of Tudor and Stuart Words. Clarendon Press (Oxford).
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
August 19th: Today’s outdated word is from Dr. Johnson's 1755 dictionary.
"Apron-man," noun. "A man that wears an apron; a workman; an artificer."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
"Apron-man," noun. "A man that wears an apron; a workman; an artificer."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
August 19, 2026 at 11:08 AM
August 19th: Today’s outdated word is from Dr. Johnson's 1755 dictionary.
"Apron-man," noun. "A man that wears an apron; a workman; an artificer."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
"Apron-man," noun. "A man that wears an apron; a workman; an artificer."
Source: Johnson, S. (2006). A Dictionary Of The English Language. Penguin Classics.
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish #DrSamuelJohnson
August 13th: The outdated word for today is "cambrel," meaning "a crooked stick with notches on it, on which butchers hang their meat."
Source: Skeat, W., Mayhew, A.L. (1914.) A Glossary of Tudor and Stuart Words. Clarendon Press (Oxford).
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
Source: Skeat, W., Mayhew, A.L. (1914.) A Glossary of Tudor and Stuart Words. Clarendon Press (Oxford).
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
August 13, 2026 at 3:22 PM
August 13th: The outdated word for today is "cambrel," meaning "a crooked stick with notches on it, on which butchers hang their meat."
Source: Skeat, W., Mayhew, A.L. (1914.) A Glossary of Tudor and Stuart Words. Clarendon Press (Oxford).
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish
Source: Skeat, W., Mayhew, A.L. (1914.) A Glossary of Tudor and Stuart Words. Clarendon Press (Oxford).
#OutdatedWords #EarlyModernEnglish