words out, words in

[Victoria Neufeldt]

I recall one right now (of course it depends on what is meant by "dropping
out" -- not used at all? for how long?).  That's 'copacetic'.  It was pretty
common in the first half of the 20th century, and was entered in the first
Webster's New World Dict in early 50s.  Then it seemed to vanish from
everyday speech and so was dropped for the second college edition, which
appeared in 1970.  It became popular again in the 70s and 80s and so was
reinstated for the 3rd edition, 1988.  I'm remembering this from some time
ago, and my times may be a bit off, but that's the gist of it.

Victoria


> -----Original Message-----
> From: American Dialect Society [mailto:ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU]On Behalf
> Of Greg Pulliam
> Sent: Friday, February 02, 2001 12:35 AM
> To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> Subject: words out, words in
>
>
> A student asked me in class today if I knew of any words that had
> dropped out of English, then had been revived.  I could not come up
> with any.  Can anyone else?
>
> --
> -
> Greg
>
> greg at pulliam.org
> http://www.pulliam.org
>

Victoria Neufeldt
1533 Early Drive
Saskatoon, Sask.
S7H 3K1
Canada