Hello, folks!
I just received a Facebook video on fossil words. I know that Ben Ritter covered them in the past, in fact here are the links:
- Editor’s Corner: Fossil Words, Part 1 | Editor’s Corner
- Editor’s Corner: Fossil Words, Part 2 | Editor’s Corner
- Editor’s Corner: Fossil Words, Part 3 | Editor’s Corner
A fossil word is a word like “amok” that is almost obsolete, but it lives on a little longer because it’s associated with an idiom. For example, we know that “run amok” means to act (or run) uncontrollably, but if we see the word alone, we might not be able to define it.
I have some additions to Ben’s three lists. I’ve included the fossil word, the meaning of the word (from Merriam-Webster), the idiom it is associated with, and the idiom’s meaning (from The Free Dictionary). I don’t think I repeated anything from Ben’s lists.
| Word | Meaning | Idiom and Meaning |
| askance | scornfully | look askance
To view or regard (someone or something) in a disapproving or distrustful manner. [KC – View with side-eye.] |
| aspersions | defamation; a false or misleading charge meant to harm someone’s reputation | Cast aspersions
To talk negatively or unflatteringly about someone or something. |
| betide | to happen especially as if by fate | woe betide (someone)
Used to express the wish for someone to experience misfortune. |
| bide | to wait for | bide (your) time
Wait quietly for a good opportunity. |
| clarion | <![if !supportLists]>1) <![endif]>a medieval trumpet with clear shrill tones
<![if !supportLists]>2) <![endif]>loud and clear |
clarion call
A call to action. |
| dudgeon | a fit or state of indignation | in high dudgeon
With resentment; angrily or furiously. Typically refers to someone’s reaction to an offense or a slight of some kind. |
| dulcet | generally pleasing or agreeable | dulcet tones Soothing, soft sounds. |
| figment | something made up or contrived | figment of (one’s) imagination
An experience that initially is thought to be real but is actually imagined. |
| forefend | forbid; prevent; prohibit | [KC – I could not find an idiom associated with this or the alternate spelling, forfend.] |
| halcyon | characterized by happiness, great success, and prosperity: golden
—often used to describe an idyllic time in the past that is remembered as better than today |
halcyon days
A tranquil period of happiness, especially in the past. The phrase refers to the period around the winter solstice that is associated with calm weather, which in Greek mythology was attributed to the power of the fabled halcyon bird that was said to calm the wind and sea. |
| inclement | severe in temper or action: unmerciful | inclement weather
stormy |
| knell | a stroke or sound of a bell especially when rung slowly (as for a death, funeral, or disaster) | death knell
A signal of the impending end or ruin of something, especially a business, organization, or activity. |
| nape | the back of the neck | nape of the neck
back part of the neck |
| scot | money assessed or paid | scot free
free from harm or penalty |
Kara Church | Technical Editor, Advisory | KE – Documentation
Pronouns: she/her | Call via Teams | jackhenry.com
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